There is one who pretends to be rich and yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor and yet possesses great wealth.

Instruction from the wise is like a life-giving fountain, to turn a person from deadly snares.

A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools abhor turning away from evil.

The righteous has enough food to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked lacks food.

The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception.

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed.

Do not those who devise evil go astray? But those who plan good exhibit faithful covenant love.

The fear of the Lord is like a life-giving fountain, to turn people from deadly snares.

The one who is slow to anger has great understanding, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.

A tranquil spirit revives the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.

The one who oppresses the poor insults his Creator, but whoever shows favor to the needy honors him.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

The king shows favor to a wise servant, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way; the one who hates reproof will die.

The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise.

A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel.

A wise child brings joy to his father, but a foolish person despises his mother.

Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense, but one who has understanding follows an upright course.

The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body.

The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise.

The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.

Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

The Lord works everything for its own ends -- even the wicked for the day of disaster.

When a person's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he even reconciles his enemies to himself.

Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice.

Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness.

How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life.

It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.

Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

A wise person's heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

A laborer's appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work.

Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.

One who acts wickedly pays attention to evil counsel; a liar listens to a malicious tongue.

Grandchildren are like a crown to the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.

It is better for a person to meet a mother bear being robbed of her cubs, than to encounter a fool in his folly.

The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent -- both of them are an abomination to the Lord.

A friend loves at all times, and a relative is born to help in adversity.

Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief, and the father of a fool has no joy.

A wicked person receives a bribe secretly to pervert the ways of justice.

Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth.

A foolish child is a grief to his father, and bitterness to the mother who bore him.

It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong.

It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked, by depriving a righteous man of justice.

The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.

The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.

The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.

A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.

It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices.

All the relatives of a poor person hate him; how much more do his friends avoid him -- he pursues them with words, but they do not respond.

Luxury is not appropriate for a fool; how much less for a servant to rule over princes!

A person's wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

The one who obeys commandments guards his life; the one who despises his ways will die.

The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord, and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.

Discipline your child, for there is hope, but do not set your heart on causing his death.

A person with great anger bears the penalty, but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again.

Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life.

What is desirable for a person is to show loyal love, and a poor person is better than a liar.

Fearing the Lord leads to life, and one who does so will live satisfied; he will not be afflicted by calamity.

The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish, and he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.

A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.

Do not love sleep, lest you become impoverished; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food.

Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth.

Do not say, "I will pay back evil!" Wait for the Lord, so that he may vindicate you.

It is a snare for a person to rashly cry, "Holy!" and only afterward to consider what he has vowed.

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right.

It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.

The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered.

Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.

It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.

What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.

All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the Lord.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich -- both end up only in poverty.

Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction.

So that your confidence may be in the Lord, I am making them known to you today -- even you.

to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?

Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court,

Do not make friends with an angry person, and do not associate with a wrathful person,

Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge or who puts up security for debts.

If you do not have enough to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you!

Do not move an ancient boundary stone which was put in place by your ancestors.

Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position before obscure people.

When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you,

and put a knife to your throat if you possess a large appetite.