If they say - Come with us, - Let us lie in wait for blood, Let us watch in secret for him who is needlessly innocent;

He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him];
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],

He keeps watch on the ways which are right, and takes care of those who have the fear of him.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD, neither faint when thou are rebuked of him.

For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.

Well is him that findeth wisdom, and obtaineth understanding,

Refuse not to do good unto him that should have it, so long as thine hand is able to do it.

whereas thou hast now to give him. Intend no hurt unto thy neighbour, seeing he hopeth to dwell in rest by thee.

For the devious are repulsive to the Lord;
But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].

For they are life to him who gets them, and strength to all his flesh.

Lest thou give, to other men, thy vigour, and thy years, to him that is cruel:

And I heard not to the voice of him teaching me, and I inclined not mine ear to him instructing me.

His iniquities shall ensnare him, the evildoer, and in the vanity of his sin he shall be caught.

Make yourself free, like the roe from the hand of the archer, and the bird from him who puts a net for her.

Therefore [the crushing weight of] his disaster will come suddenly upon him;
Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing or remedy [because he has no heart for God].

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

A false witness that speaketh lies, and him that soweth discord among brethren.

So it is with him who goes in to his neighbour's wife; he who has anything to do with her will not go free from punishment.

He will not accept any ransom [offered to buy him off from demanding full punishment];
Nor will he be satisfied though you offer him many gifts (bribes).

And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Until an arrow pierced his liver [with a mortal wound];
Like a bird fluttering straight into the net,
He did not know that it would cost him his life.

They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

For whoever gets me gets life, and grace from the Lord will come to him.

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

He instructing him mocking received to himself dishonor: and he reproving to the unjust one, his blemish.

Do not say sharp words to a man of pride, or he will have hate for you; make them clear to a wise man, and you will be dear to him.

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

The Lord will not let the upright be in need of food, but he puts far from him the desire of the evil-doers.

In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

Balances of deceit [are] an abomination of Yahweh, but {an accurate weight} delights him.

The righteous from distress is drawn out, And the wicked goeth in instead of him.

It goeth ill with him that is surety for another; but he that hateth suretyship is secure.

A gracious and good woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches [but not respect].

The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him],
But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

A good man has grace in the eyes of the Lord; but the man of evil designs gets punishment from him.

A virtuous and excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him [with her foolishness] is like rottenness in his bones.

He is good being despised, and a servant to him above him, honoring himself, and wanting bread.

An evil man's sinful speech ensnares him, but the righteous person escapes from trouble.

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

The way of the foolish man seems right to him? but the wise man gives ear to suggestions.

The LORD abhoreth deceitful lips; but they that labour for truth please him.

Sorrow in the heart of a man boweth down, And a good word maketh him glad.

He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his soul; destruction shall be to him that openeth wide his lips.

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

The light of the righteous [within him—grows brighter and] rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked [is a temporary light and] goes out.

He despising to the word it shall be perverse to him: and he fearing the command shall be requited.

The law is a well of life unto the wise; that it may keep him from the snares of death.

Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

The good shall cause his sons' sons to inherit: and the wealth of him sinning was treasured up for the just.

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live, but a fool's stupidity deceives him.

The heart of him that hath understanding will neither despair for any sorrow; nor be too presumptuous for any sudden joy.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.

He drawing back the heart shall be filled from his ways: and a good man from above him.

He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but he who has mercy on the poor blesses him.

For him in whose heart is the fear of the Lord there is strong hope: and his children will have a safe place.

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

The Lord abhors the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns [it pricks, lacerates, and entangles him],
But the way [of life] of the upright is smooth and open like a highway.

Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

The path of life [leads] upward for him who has insight, in order to turn away from Sheol below.

Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the Lord,
But pure words are pleasant words to Him.

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 ear of him who listens [to] admonitions of life, in the midst of the wise it will lodge.

Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],
And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

The LORD made everything answerable to him, including the wicked at the time of trouble.

When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

The king's wrath results in a death sentence, but whoever is wise will appease him.

Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.

He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

He who is slow to anger [is] better than him who is mighty, and he who controls his spirit than him who captures a city.

The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord.

He who mocks the poor insults him who made him; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

A reproof entereth more deeply into him that hath understanding than a hundred stripes into a fool.

An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

The LORD hateth as well him that justifieth the ungodly, as him that condemneth the innocent.