That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled],
And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth,

“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke,
Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.

For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.

Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners,
Yet He gives His grace [His undeserved favor] to the humble [those who give up self-importance].

For I give you good doctrine;
Do not turn away from my instruction.

“She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty and glory.”

Or you will give your honor to others,
And your years to the cruel one,

My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor,
If you have given your pledge for [the debt of] a stranger or another [outside your family],

Give no [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;

My son, be guided by your father’s [God-given] commandment (instruction)
And do not reject the teaching of your mother;

But when he is found, he must repay seven times [what he stole];
He must give all the property of his house [if necessary to meet his fine].

Suddenly he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter [not knowing the outcome],
Or as one in stocks going to the correction [to be given] to a fool,

Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser;
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

Desire realized is sweet to the soul;
But it is detestable to fools to turn away from evil [which they have planned].

The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure)
Will remain among the wise.

Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,
But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.

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

A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

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

Many will seek the favor of a generous and noble man,
And everyone is a friend to him who gives gifts.

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.

He craves all the day long [and does no work],
But the righteous [willingly] gives and does not withhold [what he has].

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

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.

To let you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you?

Do not even associate with a man given to angry outbursts;
Or go [along] with a hot-tempered man,

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

My son, give me your heart
And let your eyes delight in my ways,

My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],

He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of people]
Who gives a right and straightforward answer.

Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a man who boasts falsely of gifts [he does not give].

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw],
So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool.

He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.

The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;
Yes, he will delight your soul.

An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered and undisciplined man commits many transgressions.

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

The leech has two daughters,
“Give, give!”
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four that do not say, “It is enough”:

Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor concubines],
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.

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

Give her of the product of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].