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.

Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,(D)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(E)

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,(F)
    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.(G)

Lazy hands make for poverty,(H)
    but diligent hands bring wealth.(I)

He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(J)

Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a](K)

The name of the righteous(L) is used in blessings,[b]
    but the name of the wicked(M) will rot.(N)

The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(O)

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)

14 The wise store up knowledge,(Y)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(Z)

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,(AA)
    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.(AB)

16 The wages of the righteous is life,(AC)
    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.(AD)

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)

22 The blessing of the Lord(AI) brings wealth,(AJ)
    without painful toil for it.(AK)

23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,(AL)
    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dread(AM) will overtake them;(AN)
    what the righteous desire will be granted.(AO)

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
    but the righteous stand firm(AP) forever.(AQ)

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke(AR) to the eyes,
    so are sluggards to those who send them.(AS)

27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,(AT)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.(AU)

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)

11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,(BC)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.(BD)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,(BE)
    but with humility comes wisdom.(BF)

The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(BG)

Wealth(BH) is worthless in the day of wrath,(BI)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(BJ)

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(BK)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(BL)

The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(BM)

Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(BN)
    all the promise of[c] their power comes to nothing.(BO)

The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.(BP)

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)

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(BX)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(BY)

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,(BZ)
    but victory is won through many advisers.(CA)

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)

19 Truly the righteous attain life,(CF)
    but whoever pursues evil finds death.(CG)

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.

25 A generous(CL) person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.(CM)

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!

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
  2. Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.
  3. Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from

10 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

29 The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

11 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Wise Sayings of Solomon

10 The proverbs of (A)Solomon:

(B)A wise son makes a glad father,
But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

(C)Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
(D)But righteousness delivers from death.
(E)The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.

(F)He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But (G)the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who gathers in (H)summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is (I)a son who causes shame.

Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
(J)The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.

The wise in heart will receive commands,
(K)But [a]a prating fool will [b]fall.

(L)He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known.

10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble,
But a prating fool will fall.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

12 Hatred stirs up strife,
But (M)love covers all sins.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding,
But (N)a rod is for the back of him who [c]is devoid of understanding.

14 Wise people store up knowledge,
But (O)the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

15 The (P)rich man’s wealth is his strong city;
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labor of the righteous leads to (Q)life,
The wages of the wicked to sin.

17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
But he who refuses correction [d]goes astray.

18 Whoever (R)hides hatred has lying lips,
And (S)whoever spreads slander is a fool.

19 (T)In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But (U)he who restrains his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of [e]wisdom.

22 (V)The blessing of the Lord makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.

23 (W)To do evil is like sport to a fool,
But a man of understanding has wisdom.
24 (X)The fear of the wicked will come upon him,
And (Y)the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the whirlwind passes by, (Z)the wicked is no more,
But (AA)the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy man to those who send him.

27 (AB)The fear of the Lord prolongs days,
But (AC)the years of the wicked will be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness,
But the (AD)expectation of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of the Lord is strength for the upright,
But (AE)destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

30 (AF)The righteous will never be removed,
But the wicked will not inhabit the [f]earth.
31 (AG)The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
But the perverse tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

The Folly of Wickedness

11 (AH)Dishonest[g] scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a [h]just weight is His delight.

When pride comes, then comes (AI)shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.

The integrity of the upright will guide (AJ)them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
(AK)Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But (AL)righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless will [i]direct his way aright,
But the wicked will fall by his own (AM)wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.

When a wicked man dies, his expectation will (AN)perish,
And the hope of the unjust perishes.
(AO)The righteous is delivered from trouble,
And it comes to the wicked instead.
The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10 (AP)When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is (AQ)exalted,
But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He who [j]is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,
But a man of understanding holds his peace.

13 (AR)A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit (AS)conceals a matter.

14 (AT)Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

15 He who is (AU)surety[k] for a stranger will suffer,
But one who hates [l]being surety is secure.

16 A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.
17 (AV)The merciful man does good for his own soul,
But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18 The wicked man does deceptive work,
But (AW)he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
19 As righteousness leads to (AX)life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own (AY)death.
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight.
21 (AZ)Though they join [m]forces, the wicked will not go unpunished;
But (BA)the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.

22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks [n]discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked (BB)is wrath.

24 There is one who (BC)scatters, yet increases more;
And there is one who withholds more than is right,
But it leads to poverty.
25 (BD)The generous soul will be made rich,
(BE)And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26 The people will curse (BF)him who withholds grain,
But (BG)blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

27 He who earnestly seeks good [o]finds favor,
(BH)But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.

28 (BI)He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But (BJ)the righteous will flourish like foliage.

29 He who troubles his own house (BK)will inherit the wind,
And the fool will be (BL)servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And (BM)he who [p]wins souls is wise.

31 (BN)If the righteous will be [q]recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:8 Lit. the foolish of lips
  2. Proverbs 10:8 be thrust down or ruined
  3. Proverbs 10:13 Lit. lacks heart
  4. Proverbs 10:17 leads
  5. Proverbs 10:21 Lit. heart
  6. Proverbs 10:30 land
  7. Proverbs 11:1 deceptive
  8. Proverbs 11:1 Lit. perfect stone
  9. Proverbs 11:5 Or make smooth or straight
  10. Proverbs 11:12 Lit. lacks heart
  11. Proverbs 11:15 guaranty
  12. Proverbs 11:15 those pledging guaranty, lit. those who strike hands
  13. Proverbs 11:21 Lit. hand to hand
  14. Proverbs 11:22 taste
  15. Proverbs 11:27 Lit. seeks
  16. Proverbs 11:30 Lit. takes, in the sense of brings, cf. 1 Sam. 16:11
  17. Proverbs 11:31 rewarded