It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right.
There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.
Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.
Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.
Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good.
It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!” And after the vows to make inquiry.
A wise king winnows the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.
It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.
A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.
A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.
The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all.
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!”
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the LORD will fall into it.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man,
Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.
When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you,
And put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great appetite.
Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies;
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off.
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who sires a wise son will be glad in him.
For a harlot is a deep pit And an adulterous woman is a narrow well.
Surely she lurks as a robber, And increases the faithless among men.
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.
By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;
A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power.
Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, He does not open his mouth in the gate.
One who plans to do evil, Men will call a schemer.
Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
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.
Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, And do not deceive with your lips.
“A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,”
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
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