The [consistently] righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
But the stomach of the wicked is in need [of bread].

The wise woman builds her house [on a foundation of godly precepts, and her household thrives],
But the foolish one [who lacks spiritual insight] tears it down with her own hands [by ignoring godly principles].

He who walks in uprightness [reverently] fears the Lord [and obeys and worships Him with profound respect],
But he who is devious in his ways despises Him.

In the mouth of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God] is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise [when they speak with godly wisdom] will protect them.

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.

The heart knows its own bitterness,
And no stranger shares its joy.

Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief.

The backslider in heart will have his fill with his own [rotten] ways,
But a good man will be satisfied with his ways [the godly thought and action which his heart pursues and in which he delights].

The poor man is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.

In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.

In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will [always] have a place of refuge.

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life,
So that one may avoid the snares of death.

In a multitude of people is a king’s glory,
But in a lack of people is a [pretentious] prince’s ruin.

The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing,
But the righteous has hope and confidence and a refuge [with God] even in death.

Wisdom rests [silently] in the heart of one who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of [shortsighted] fools is made known.

Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors].

A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.

Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom],
But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].

The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight!

The way [of life] of the wicked is hateful and exceedingly offensive to the Lord,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness [personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character].

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].

The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it,
But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.

A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise,
That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below.

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 is far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them],
But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].

The light of the eyes rejoices the hearts of others,
And good news puts fat on the bones.

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence];
And before honor comes humility.

All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],
But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].

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

Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the Lord;
Be assured he will not go unpunished.

When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income [gained] with injustice.

A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];
His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.

A just balance and [honest] scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].

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

In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.

He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,
And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.

The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].

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

A worthless man devises and digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.

A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin],
And leads him in a way that is not good.

He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things;
And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.

The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.

He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier],
And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.

Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace
Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention.

A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family]
And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers.

An evildoer listens closely to wicked lips;
And a liar pays attention to a destructive and malicious tongue.

Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind],
Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,
But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.

A rebellious man seeks only evil;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs
Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes];
Therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.

He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous
Are both repulsive to the Lord.

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

He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome;
He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].

He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.

[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],
But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.

Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.

He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].

When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes,
And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).

He who is careless in his work
Is a brother to him who destroys.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall [of protection] in his own imagination and conceit.

The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness,
But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?

To cast lots puts an end to quarrels
And decides between powerful contenders.

A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city,
And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.

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.

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than a [rich] man who is twisted in his speech and is a [shortsighted] fool.

He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.

Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger,
And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].

A foolish (ungodly) son is destruction to his father,
And the contentions of a [quarrelsome] wife are like a constant dripping [of water].

Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity],
And the idle person will suffer hunger.

He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the Lord] keeps (guards) his own life,
But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die.

He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the Lord,
And the Lord will repay him for his good deed.

Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,
That you may be wise in the time to come.

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

That which is desirable in a man is his loyalty and unfailing love,
But it is better to be a poor man than a [wealthy] liar.

The lazy man buries his hand in the [food] dish,
But will not even bring it to his mouth again.

Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent;
Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler;
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.

The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

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].

The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives;
So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].

A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well,
But a man of understanding draws it out.

Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness,
But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man?

The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs—
How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].

A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment
Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].

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

“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price];
But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].

[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.”

Plans are established by counsel;
So make war [only] with wise guidance.

Whoever curses his father or his mother,
His lamp [of life] will be extinguished in time of darkness.

An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.

The spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being.

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it whichever way He wishes.