The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, And each is tested by the praise accorded him.
Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;
When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
The lambs will be for your clothing, And the goats will bring the price of a field,
And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, For the food of your household, And sustenance for your maidens.
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.
A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, But those who keep the law strive with them.
Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all things.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked though he be rich.
He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.
He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself fall into his own pit, But the blameless will inherit good.
The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him.
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.
He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue.
He who robs his father or his mother And says, “It is not a transgression,” Is the companion of a man who destroys.
An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
By transgression an evil man is ensnared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.
The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern.
When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life.
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
If a king judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.
The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.
He who pampers his slave from childhood Will in the end find him to be a son.
He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He hears the oath but tells nothing.
The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.
Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.
An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.
Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!
Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.
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.
The leech has two daughters, “Give,” “Give.” There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, “Enough”:
Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.”
The eye that mocks a father And scorns a mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
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