Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;

When your dread comes like a storm
And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.

Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.

Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him.

He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.

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

A worthless man digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own imagination.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
But his favor is like dew on the grass.

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.

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

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

At the last it bites like a serpent
And stings like a viper.

And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea,
Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast.

Then your poverty will come as a robber
And your want like an armed man.

Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.

Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow
Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot
Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda,
Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.

Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a distant land.

Like a trampled spring and a polluted well
Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

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

Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
So a curse without cause does not alight.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Or you will also be like him.

Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives honor to a fool.

Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

Like a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who repeats his folly.

Like one who takes a dog by the ears
Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows and death,

Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

Like a bird that wanders from her nest,
So is a man who wanders from his home.

A poor man who oppresses the lowly
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear
Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

There is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords
And his jaw teeth like knives,
To devour the afflicted from the earth
And the needy from among men.

She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.