A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.
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.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.
It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.
A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, And will share in the inheritance among brothers.
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts.
He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers.
A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, When he has no sense?
A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.
A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.
Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
It is also not good to fine the righteous, Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
To show partiality to the wicked is not good, Nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor.
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?
The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.
The cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.
With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD.
The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly.
The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD.
Many will seek the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.
All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.
A foolish son is destruction to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
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