A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
He who has a crooked mind finds no good, And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.
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.
A foolish son is a grief to his father And bitterness to her who bore him.
He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.
When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows.
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.
A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.
The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?
A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.
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.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD.
A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs.
Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend.
A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will not escape.
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.
A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will perish.
Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
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.
Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger.
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.
A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.
What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.
He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son.
A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel.
A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.
Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man?
A righteous man who walks in his integrity-- How blessed are his sons after him.
A king who sits on the throne of justice Disperses all evil with his eyes.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
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