A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.

A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none [for his ears are closed to wisdom],
But knowledge is easy for one who understands [because he is willing to learn].

Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool,
For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips.

There is severe discipline for him who turns from the way [of righteousness];
And he who hates correction will die.

A scoffer [unlike a wise man] resents one who rebukes him and tries to teach him;
Nor will he go to the wise [for counsel and instruction].

He who profits unlawfully brings suffering to his own house,
But he who hates bribes [and does not receive nor pay them] will live.

The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.

It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,
For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).

The appetite of a worker works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.

Whoever returns evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.

Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
When he has no common sense or even a heart for it?

A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.

A man lacking common sense gives a pledge
And becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor.

It is also not good to fine the righteous,
Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge.

A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him
And brings him before great men.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

Luxury is not fitting for a fool;
Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

A man of great anger will bear the penalty [for his quick temper and lack of self-control];
For if you rescue him [and do not let him learn from the consequences of his action], you will only have to rescue him over and over again.

Many plans are in a man’s mind,
But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).

Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And beatings for the backs of [thickheaded] fools.

It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight],
But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].

Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures,
Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord.

[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.”

Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you.

Blows that wound cleanse away evil,
And strokes reach to the innermost parts.

The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
And the treacherous in the place of the upright [for they fall into their own traps].

The desire of the lazy kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor;

A wicked man puts on a bold face,
But as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].

The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance and victory belong to the Lord.

He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.

He who loves purity of heart
And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.

The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit [deep and inescapable];
He who is cursed by the Lord [because of his adulterous sin] will fall into it.

He who oppresses or exploits the poor to get more for himself
Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.

For it will be pleasant if you keep them in mind [incorporating them as guiding principles];
Let them be ready on your lips [to guide and strengthen yourself and others].

For the Lord will plead their case
And take the life of those who rob them.

Do not be among those who give pledges [involving themselves in others’ finances],
Or among those who become guarantors for others’ debts.

For you will put a knife to your throat
If you are a man of great appetite.

Do not desire his delicacies,
For it is deceptive food [offered to you with questionable motives].

When you set your eyes on wealth, it is [suddenly] gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies to the heavens.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates].
He says to you, “Eat and drink,”
Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].

Do not speak in the ears of a fool,
For he will despise the [godly] wisdom of your words.

For their Redeemer is strong and mighty;
He will plead their case against you.

Do not withhold discipline from the child;
If you swat him with a reed-like rod [applied with godly wisdom], he will not die.

Surely there is a future [and a reward],
And your hope and expectation will not be cut off.

For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,
And the drowsiness [of overindulgence] will clothe one with rags.

For a prostitute is a deep pit,
And an immoral woman is a narrow well.

She lurks and lies in wait like a robber [who waits for prey],
And she increases the faithless among men.

For their minds plot violence,
And their lips talk of trouble [for the innocent].

For by wise guidance you can wage your war,
And in an abundance of [wise] counselors there is victory and safety.

Wisdom is too exalted for a [hardened, arrogant] fool;
He does not open his mouth in the gate [where the city’s rulers sit in judgment].

For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,
But the wicked stumble in time of disaster and collapse.

For there will be no future for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

For their tragedy will rise suddenly,
And who knows the punishment that both [the Lord and the king] will bring on the rebellious?

Prepare your work outside
And get it ready for yourself in the field;
Afterward build your house and establish a home.

Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will pay the man back for his deed.”

As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the hearts and minds of kings are unsearchable.

Take away the dross from the silver,
And there comes out [the pure metal for] a vessel for the silversmith [to shape].

For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest,
So is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
For he refreshes the life of his masters.

Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as you need,
Otherwise, being filled excessively, you vomit it.

For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head,
And the Lord will reward you.

It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted] fool.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn].

Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.

When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart.

Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him.

Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring.

[The judge tells the creditor,] “Take the garment of one who is surety (guarantees a loan) for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge when he is surety for an immoral woman [for it is unlikely the debt will be repaid].”

He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,
It will be counted as a curse to him [for it will either be annoying or his purpose will be suspect].

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold [to separate the impurities of the metal],
And each is tested by the praise given to him [and his response to it, whether humble or proud].

For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.

The lambs will supply wool for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field.

And there will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And for the maintenance of your maids.

He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest)
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

To have regard for one person over another and to show favoritism is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

A man who flatters his neighbor [with smooth words intending to do harm]
Is spreading a net for his own feet.

The righteous man cares for the rights of the poor,
But the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge.

The bloodthirsty hate the blameless [because of his integrity],
But the upright are concerned for his life.

A servant will not be corrected by words alone;
For though he understands, he will not respond [nor pay attention].

Do you see a [conceited] man who speaks quickly [offering his opinions or answering without thinking]?
There is more hope for a [thickheaded] fool than for him.

Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the Lord.

Surely I am more brutish and stupid than any man,
And I do not have the understanding of a man [for I do not know what I do not know].

Keep deception and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,

There are three things which are too astounding and unexpectedly wonderful for me,
Four which I do not understand:

It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless;

Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And administer justice for the afflicted and needy.

She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids.

She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.

She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].

She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].

She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].

She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.

Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].

For in much [human] wisdom there is much displeasure and exasperation; increasing knowledge increases sorrow.