Though you pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
The lambs will be for your clothing, And the goats will bring the price of a field,
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.
He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.
A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.
To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth And does not know that want will come upon 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.
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad, But he who keeps company with harlots wastes his wealth.
The king gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
A man who flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps.
Scorners set a city aflame, But wise men turn away anger.
When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.
A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.
If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.
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.
A slave will not be instructed by words alone; For though he understands, there will be no response.
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
He who pampers his slave from childhood Will in the end find him to be a son.
An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.
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.
Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.
Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
Do not slander a slave to his master, Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.
There is a kind of man who curses his father And does not bless his mother.
There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness.
There is a kind--oh how lofty are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance.
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 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.
The way of an eagle in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid.
Under a slave when he becomes king, And a fool when he is satisfied with food,
Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband, And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.
The ants are not a strong people, But they prepare their food in the summer;
The strutting rooster, the male goat also, And a king when his army is with him.
She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
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