For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change,
For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?
These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him;
But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them.
He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer.
Prepare your work outside And make it ready for yourself in the field; Afterwards, then, build your house.
Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
I passed by the field of the sluggard And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense,
“A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,”
These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith;
Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men;
For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.
Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?
Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another,
Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away.
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.
By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.
For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.
The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools.
He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.
Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!”
As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.
Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “Was I not joking?”
For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
Though his hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.
Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, The naive proceed and pay the penalty.
He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, It will be reckoned a curse to him.
He who would restrain her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.
He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who cares for his master will be honored.
As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
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