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Proverbs 10:1-18:5
English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:1-18:5
English Standard Version
The Proverbs of Solomon
10 (A)The proverbs of Solomon.
(B)A wise son makes a glad father,
(C)but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2 (D)Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
(E)but righteousness delivers from death.
3 (F)The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
(G)but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 A slack hand (H)causes poverty,
(I)but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who (J)gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is (K)a son who brings shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but (L)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.[a]
7 (M)The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but (N)the name of the wicked will rot.
8 (O)The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
9 (P)Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who makes his ways crooked (Q)will be found out.
10 Whoever (R)winks the eye causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11 (S)The mouth of the righteous is (T)a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked (U)conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but (V)love covers all offenses.
13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but (W)a rod is for the back of him who (X)lacks sense.
14 The wise (Y)lay up knowledge,
but (Z)the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15 (AA)A rich man's wealth is his strong city;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16 The wage of the righteous leads (AB)to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on (AC)the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 (AD)When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
(AE)but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is (AF)choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for (AG)lack of sense.
22 (AH)The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.[b]
23 Doing wrong is (AI)like a joke to a fool,
but (AJ)wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24 (AK)What the wicked dreads (AL)will come upon him,
but (AM)the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When (AN)the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
but (AO)the righteous is established forever.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 (AP)The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
(AQ)but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 (AR)The hope of the righteous brings joy,
(AS)but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 (AT)The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless,
but destruction to evildoers.
30 (AU)The righteous will never be removed,
but (AV)the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 (AW)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous (AX)know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, (AY)what is perverse.
11 (AZ)A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
(BA)but a just weight is his delight.
2 (BB)When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with (BC)the humble is wisdom.
3 (BD)The integrity of the upright guides them,
(BE)but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 (BF)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
(BG)but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless (BH)keeps his way straight,
but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 (BI)The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous (BJ)are taken captive by their lust.
7 When the wicked dies, his (BK)hope will perish,
and (BL)the expectation of wealth[c] perishes too.
8 (BM)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 (BN)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but (BO)by the mouth of the wicked (BP)it is overthrown.
12 Whoever (BQ)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13 Whoever (BR)goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14 Where there is (BS)no guidance, a people falls,
(BT)but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 (BU)Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16 (BV)A gracious woman gets honor,
and (BW)violent men get riches.
17 (BX)A man who is kind benefits himself,
but a cruel man hurts himself.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who (BY)sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness (BZ)will live,
but (CA)he who pursues evil will die.
20 Those of (CB)crooked heart are (CC)an abomination to the Lord,
but those of (CD)blameless ways are (CE)his delight.
21 (CF)Be assured, (CG)an evil person will not go unpunished,
but (CH)the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22 Like (CI)a gold ring in a pig's snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
(CJ)the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 (CK)One gives (CL)freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 (CM)Whoever brings blessing (CN)will be enriched,
and (CO)one who waters will himself be watered.
26 (CP)The people curse him who holds back grain,
but (CQ)a blessing is on the head of him who (CR)sells it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,[d]
but evil comes to (CS)him who searches for it.
28 Whoever (CT)trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will (CU)flourish like a green leaf.
29 Whoever (CV)troubles his own household will (CW)inherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is (CX)a tree of life,
and whoever (CY)captures souls is wise.
31 If (CZ)the righteous is repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner!
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who (DA)hates reproof is (DB)stupid.
2 A good man (DC)obtains favor from the Lord,
but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3 No one is established by wickedness,
but the root of (DD)the righteous will never be moved.
4 (DE)An excellent wife is (DF)the crown of her husband,
but she who (DG)brings shame is like (DH)rottenness in his bones.
5 (DI)The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked (DJ)lie in wait for blood,
but (DK)the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7 (DL)The wicked are (DM)overthrown and are no more,
(DN)but the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man is commended according to his good sense,
but one of twisted mind is (DO)despised.
9 Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.
10 (DP)Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11 (DQ)Whoever works his land (DR)will have plenty of bread,
(DS)but he who follows (DT)worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12 Whoever is wicked covets (DU)the spoil of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13 An evil man is ensnared (DV)by the transgression of his lips,[e]
(DW)but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth (DX)a man is satisfied with good,
(DY)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15 (DZ)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
16 (EA)The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
17 (EB)Whoever speaks[f] the truth gives honest evidence,
but (EC)a false witness utters deceit.
18 (ED)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings (EE)healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but (EF)a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of (EG)those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
21 (EH)No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 (EI)Lying lips are (EJ)an abomination to the Lord,
(EK)but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 (EL)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
(EM)but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 (EN)The hand of the diligent will rule,
while the slothful will be (EO)put to forced labor.
25 (EP)Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,[g]
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 (EQ)Whoever is slothful will not roast his game,
but the diligent man will get precious wealth.[h]
28 (ER)In the path of righteousness is life,
and in its pathway there is no death.
13 A wise son hears his father's instruction,
but (ES)a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a man (ET)eats what is good,
but the desire of the treacherous (EU)is for violence.
3 (EV)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
(EW)he who opens wide his lips (EX)comes to ruin.
4 (EY)The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent (EZ)is richly supplied.
5 The righteous hates falsehood,
but the wicked brings shame[i] and disgrace.
6 (FA)Righteousness guards him whose (FB)way is blameless,
but sin overthrows the wicked.
7 (FC)One pretends to be rich,[j] yet has nothing;
(FD)another pretends to be poor,[k] yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
but a poor man (FE)hears no threat.
9 (FF)The light of the righteous rejoices,
but (FG)the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 (FH)By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11 (FI)Wealth gained hastily[l] will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
(FJ)but a desire fulfilled is (FK)a tree of life.
13 Whoever (FL)despises (FM)the word[m] brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment[n] will be (FN)rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is (FO)a fountain of life,
that one may (FP)turn away from the snares of death.
15 (FQ)Good sense wins (FR)favor,
but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.[o]
16 (FS)Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
(FT)but a fool flaunts his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but (FU)a faithful envoy brings healing.
18 Poverty and disgrace come to him who (FV)ignores instruction,
(FW)but whoever (FX)heeds reproof is honored.
19 (FY)A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21 (FZ)Disaster[p] pursues sinners,
(GA)but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 (GB)A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but (GC)the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through (GD)injustice.
24 (GE)Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.[q]
25 (GF)The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
14 (GG)The wisest of women (GH)builds her house,
but folly with her own hands (GI)tears it down.
2 Whoever (GJ)walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
but he who is (GK)devious in his ways despises him.
3 By the mouth of a fool comes (GL)a rod for his back,[r]
(GM)but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
5 (GN)A faithful witness does not lie,
but (GO)a false witness breathes out lies.
6 (GP)A scoffer seeks wisdom (GQ)in vain,
but (GR)knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
9 (GS)Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy acceptance.[s]
10 The heart knows its own (GT)bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy.
11 (GU)The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 (GV)There is a way that seems right to a man,
but (GW)its end is the way to death.[t]
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and (GX)the end of joy may be (GY)grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be (GZ)filled with the fruit of his ways,
and (HA)a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
15 (HB)The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
16 (HC)One who is wise is cautious[u] and (HD)turns away from evil,
but a fool is reckless and careless.
17 A man of (HE)quick temper acts foolishly,
and a man of evil devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 (HF)The evil bow down before the good,
the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 (HG)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
(HH)but the rich has many friends.
21 Whoever (HI)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
but (HJ)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22 Do they not go astray who (HK)devise evil?
Those who devise good meet[v] (HL)steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk (HM)tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but one who (HN)breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has (HO)strong confidence,
and (HP)his children will have (HQ)a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is (HR)a fountain of life,
that one may (HS)turn away from the snares of death.
28 In (HT)a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
but without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is (HU)slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil[w] heart gives (HV)life to the flesh,
but (HW)envy[x] makes (HX)the bones rot.
31 Whoever oppresses a poor man (HY)insults his (HZ)Maker,
(IA)but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
32 (IB)The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
but (IC)the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom (ID)rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.[y]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has (IE)the king's favor,
but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
15 (IF)A soft answer turns away wrath,
but (IG)a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but (IH)the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 (II)The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 (IJ)A gentle[z] tongue is (IK)a tree of life,
but (IL)perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 (IM)A fool (IN)despises his father's instruction,
but (IO)whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 (IP)The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
(IQ)not so the hearts of fools.[aa]
8 (IR)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but (IS)the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves him (IT)who pursues righteousness.
10 There is (IU)severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
(IV)whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more (IW)the hearts of the children of man!
12 (IX)A scoffer (IY)does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
13 (IZ)A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by (JA)sorrow of heart the spirit is (JB)crushed.
14 (JC)The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
but (JD)the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
16 (JE)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 (JF)Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than (JG)a fattened ox and hatred with it.
18 (JH)A hot-tempered man (JI)stirs up strife,
but he who is (JJ)slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of (JK)a sluggard is like a hedge of (JL)thorns,
but the path of the upright is (JM)a level highway.
20 (JN)A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 (JO)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
but a man of understanding (JP)walks straight ahead.
22 (JQ)Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
and (JR)a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward (JS)for the prudent,
that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
25 The Lord tears down the house of (JT)the proud
but (JU)maintains (JV)the widow's boundaries.
26 (JW)The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
but (JX)gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is (JY)greedy for unjust gain (JZ)troubles his own household,
but he who hates (KA)bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous (KB)ponders how to answer,
but (KC)the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is (KD)far from the wicked,
but he (KE)hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 (KF)The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and (KG)good news refreshes[ab] the bones.
31 (KH)The ear that listens to (KI)life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever (KJ)ignores instruction (KK)despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof (KL)gains intelligence.
33 (KM)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and (KN)humility comes before honor.
16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but (KO)the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 (KP)All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord (KQ)weighs the spirit.[ac]
3 (KR)Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 (KS)The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even (KT)the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is (KU)an abomination to the Lord;
(KV)be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By (KW)steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by (KX)the fear of the Lord one (KY)turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord,
(KZ)he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 (LA)Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 (LB)The heart of man plans his way,
but (LC)the Lord establishes his steps.
10 (LD)An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 (LE)A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for (LF)the throne is established by righteousness.
13 (LG)Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 (LH)A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will (LI)appease it.
15 (LJ)In the light of a king's face there is life,
and his (LK)favor is like (LL)the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 (LM)How much better to get wisdom than (LN)gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than (LO)silver.
17 The highway of the upright (LP)turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 (LQ)Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 (LR)It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to (LS)divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word[ad] (LT)will discover good,
and blessed is he (LU)who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech (LV)increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is (LW)a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 (LX)The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 (LY)Gracious words are like (LZ)a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and (MA)health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.[ae]
26 A worker's appetite works for him;
his (MB)mouth urges him on.
27 (MC)A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech[af] is like (MD)a scorching fire.
28 (ME)A dishonest man spreads strife,
and (MF)a whisperer (MG)separates close friends.
29 A man of violence (MH)entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans[ag] (MI)dishonest things;
he who (MJ)purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 (MK)Gray hair is (ML)a crown of glory;
it (MM)is gained in a righteous life.
32 (MN)Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 (MO)The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is (MP)from the Lord.
17 (MQ)Better is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting[ah] with strife.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over (MR)a son who acts shamefully
and (MS)will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 (MT)The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
(MU)and the Lord tests hearts.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor (MV)insults his Maker;
he who is (MW)glad at calamity will not go (MX)unpunished.
6 (MY)Grandchildren are (MZ)the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers.
7 Fine speech is not (NA)becoming to a fool;
still less is (NB)false speech to a prince.
8 (NC)A bribe is like a magic[ai] stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;
wherever he turns he prospers.
9 Whoever (ND)covers an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter (NE)separates close friends.
10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
than a hundred blows into a fool.
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion,
and (NF)a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet (NG)a she-bear robbed of her cubs
(NH)rather than a fool in his folly.
13 If anyone (NI)returns evil for good,
(NJ)evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
so (NK)quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He who (NL)justifies the wicked and he who (NM)condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why should a fool have money in his hand (NN)to buy wisdom
when he has no sense?
17 (NO)A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
18 One who lacks sense gives a pledge
and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
19 Whoever loves transgression loves strife;
he who (NP)makes his door high seeks destruction.
20 (NQ)A man of crooked heart does not discover good,
and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
21 He who (NR)sires a fool gets himself sorrow,
and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 (NS)A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit (NT)dries up the bones.
23 The wicked accepts (NU)a bribe in secret[aj]
to (NV)pervert the ways of justice.
24 (NW)The discerning sets his face toward wisdom,
but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 (NX)A foolish son is a grief to his father
(NY)and bitterness to (NZ)her who bore him.
26 (OA)To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,
nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27 Whoever (OB)restrains his words has knowledge,
and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool (OC)who keeps silent is considered wise;
when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
18 Whoever (OD)isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only (OE)in expressing his opinion.
3 When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
4 The words of a man's mouth are (OF)deep waters;
the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5 It is not good to (OG)be partial to[ak] the wicked
or to (OH)deprive the righteous of justice.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:6 Or but violence covers the mouth of the wicked; also verse 11
- Proverbs 10:22 Or and toil adds nothing to it
- Proverbs 11:7 Or of his strength, or of iniquity
- Proverbs 11:27 Or acceptance
- Proverbs 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare
- Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breathes out
- Proverbs 12:26 Or The righteous chooses his friends carefully
- Proverbs 12:27 Or but diligence is precious wealth
- Proverbs 13:5 Or stench
- Proverbs 13:7 Or One makes himself rich
- Proverbs 13:7 Or another makes himself poor
- Proverbs 13:11 Or by fraud
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a word
- Proverbs 13:13 Or a commandment
- Proverbs 13:15 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate); Hebrew is rugged, or is an enduring rut
- Proverbs 13:21 Or Evil
- Proverbs 13:24 Or who loves him disciplines him early
- Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride
- Proverbs 14:9 Hebrew but among the upright is acceptance
- Proverbs 14:12 Hebrew ways of death
- Proverbs 14:16 Or fears [the Lord]
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:30 Or healing
- Proverbs 14:30 Or jealousy
- Proverbs 14:33 Or Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of a man of understanding, but makes itself known in the midst of fools
- Proverbs 15:4 Or healing
- Proverbs 15:7 Or the hearts of fools are not steadfast
- Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew makes fat
- Proverbs 16:2 Or spirits
- Proverbs 16:20 Or to a matter
- Proverbs 16:25 Hebrew ways of death
- Proverbs 16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips
- Proverbs 16:30 Hebrew to plan
- Proverbs 17:1 Hebrew sacrifices
- Proverbs 17:8 Or precious
- Proverbs 17:23 Hebrew a bribe from the bosom
- Proverbs 18:5 Hebrew to lift the face of
Proverbs 10:1-18:5
New International Version
Proverbs 10:1-18:5
New International Version
Proverbs of Solomon
10 The proverbs(A) of Solomon:(B)
A wise son brings joy to his father,(C)
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(J)
8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(O)
9 Whoever walks in integrity(P) walks securely,(Q)
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.(R)
10 Whoever winks maliciously(S) causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(T)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(U)
12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.(V)
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(W)
but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(X)
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,(AE)
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(AF)
and spreads slander is a fool.
19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.(AG)
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(AH)
23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,(AL)
but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.(AV)
29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.(AW)
30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.(AX)
31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,(AY)
but a perverse tongue(AZ) will be silenced.
32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,(BA)
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.(BB)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(BG)
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(BK)
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(BL)
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(BM)
7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(BN)
all the promise of[c] their power comes to nothing.(BO)
8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.(BP)
9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.(BQ)
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(BR)
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(BS)
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(BT)
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(BU)
12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(BV)
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(BW)
15 Whoever puts up security(CB) for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(CC)
16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(CD)
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.(CE)
20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(CH)
but he delights(CI) in those whose ways are blameless.(CJ)
21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.(CK)
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
but evil comes to one who searches for it.(CN)
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,(CO)
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.(CP)
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.(CQ)
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(CR)
and the one who is wise saves lives.
31 If the righteous receive their due(CS) on earth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.(CT)
3 No one can be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(CW)
4 A wife of noble character(CX) is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(CY)
5 The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(CZ)
8 A person is praised according to their prudence,
and one with a warped(DC) mind is despised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant
than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,(DD)
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense.(DE)
12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,
but the root of the righteous endures.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(DH)
and the work of their hands brings them reward.(DI)
17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a false witness tells lies.(DO)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(DR)
21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(DS)
but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.(DY)
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(DZ)
but a kind word cheers it up.
26 The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.(EA)
27 The lazy do not roast[d] any game,
but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life;(EB)
along that path is immortality.
13 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.(EC)
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(ED)
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips(EE) preserve their lives,(EF)
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(EG)
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(EH)
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,(EI)
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.(EJ)
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(EK)
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(EL)
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.(EM)
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.(EN)
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(EO)
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(EP)
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.(EQ)
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(ER)
but whoever respects(ES) a command is rewarded.(ET)
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(EU)
turning a person from the snares of death.(EV)
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[e]
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,(FA)
but whoever heeds correction is honored.(FB)
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(FC)
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.(FD)
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.(FH)
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod(FI) hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline(FJ) them.(FK)
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.(FL)
14 The wise woman builds her house,(FM)
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
2 Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
but those who despise him are devious in their ways.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox(FP) come abundant harvests.
5 An honest witness does not deceive,
but a false witness pours out lies.(FQ)
6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(FR)
7 Stay away from a fool,
for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(FS)
but the folly of fools is deception.(FT)
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.
13 Even in laughter(FY) the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
15 The simple believe anything,
but the prudent give thought to their steps.(GB)
17 A quick-tempered person(GE) does foolish things,(GF)
and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(GG)
18 The simple inherit folly,
but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.(GH)
20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors,
but the rich have many friends.(GI)
22 Do not those who plot evil go astray?(GL)
But those who plan what is good find[g] love and faithfulness.
23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.(GM)
25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.(GN)
26 Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress,(GO)
and for their children it will be a refuge.(GP)
28 A large population is a king’s glory,
but without subjects a prince is ruined.(GS)
29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(GT)
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(GU)
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.(GV)
31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(GW)
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(GX)
32 When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,(GY)
but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.(GZ)
33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(HA)
and even among fools she lets herself be known.[h]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,(HB)
but sin condemns any people.
35 A king delights in a wise servant,
but a shameful servant arouses his fury.(HC)
5 A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(HN)
6 The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(HO)
but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(HP)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(HQ)
but the hearts of fools are not upright.
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice(HR) of the wicked,(HS)
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(HT)
10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die.(HW)
12 Mockers resent correction,(HZ)
so they avoid the wise.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(IC)
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(ID)
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.(IE)
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.(IF)
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,(II)
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,(IJ)
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(IK)
but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud,(IQ)
but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.(IR)
26 The Lord detests the thoughts(IS) of the wicked,(IT)
but gracious words are pure(IU) in his sight.
27 The greedy bring ruin to their households,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(IV)
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(IY)
30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.(IZ)
31 Whoever heeds life-giving correction
will be at home among the wise.(JA)
32 Those who disregard discipline despise themselves,(JB)
but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.(JC)
16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(JF)
3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.(JJ)
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the Lord(JO) evil is avoided.(JP)
7 When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
he causes their enemies to make peace(JQ) with them.(JR)
9 In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.(JU)
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth does not betray justice.(JV)
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.(JW)
12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through righteousness.(JX)
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value the one who speaks what is right.(JY)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(KF)
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[j](KJ)
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(KK)
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(KM)
but folly brings punishment to fools.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
their hunger drives them on.
29 A violent person entices their neighbor
and leads them down a path that is not good.(KX)
30 Whoever winks(KY) with their eye is plotting perversity;
whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;(KZ)
it is attained in the way of righteousness.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city.
17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
than a house full of feasting, with strife.(LD)
2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips;
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor(LG) shows contempt for their Maker;(LH)
whoever gloats over disaster(LI) will not go unpunished.(LJ)
6 Children’s children(LK) are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(LL)
8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
they think success will come at every turn.(LM)
9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(LN)
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(LO)
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
the messenger of death will be sent against them.
12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than a fool bent on folly.(LP)
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(LS)
16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?(LV)
17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.(LW)
18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge
and puts up security for a neighbor.(LX)
19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.
21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(LY)
24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes(MD) wander to the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son brings grief to his father
and bitterness to the mother who bore him.(ME)
26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good,(MF)
surely to flog honest officials is not right.
27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(MG)
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(MH)
28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
and discerning if they hold their tongues.(MI)
18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.(MJ)
3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt,
and with shame comes reproach.
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,(MK)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
- Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.
- Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from
- Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
- Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
- Proverbs 14:22 Or show
- Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known
- Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon
- Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good
- Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
- Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive
English Standard Version (ESV) 
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.