A Collection of Solomon’s Proverbs

10 Solomon’s proverbs:(A)

A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.(B)

Ill-gotten gains do not profit anyone,
but righteousness rescues from death.(C)

The Lord will not let the righteous go hungry,(D)
but He denies the wicked what they crave.(E)

Idle hands make one poor,
but diligent hands bring riches.(F)

The son who gathers during summer is prudent;
the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.(G)

Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(H)

The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.(I)

A wise heart accepts commands,(J)
but foolish lips will be destroyed.

The one who lives with integrity lives securely,(K)
but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.(L)

10 A sly wink of the eye(M) causes grief,
and foolish lips will be destroyed.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(N)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(O)

12 Hatred stirs up conflicts,
but love covers all offenses.(P)

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(Q)

14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(R)

15 A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;(S)
the poverty of the poor is their destruction.

16 The labor of the righteous leads to life;
the activity of the wicked leads to sin.(T)

17 The one who follows instruction is on the path to life,
but the one who rejects correction goes astray.(U)

18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool.(V)

19 When there are many words, sin is unavoidable,
but the one who controls his lips is wise.(W)

20 The tongue of the righteous is pure silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little value.(X)

21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(Y)

22 The Lord’s blessing enriches,(Z)
and struggle adds nothing to it.[a](AA)

23 As shameful conduct is pleasure for a fool,(AB)
so wisdom is for a man of understanding.

24 What the wicked dreads will come to him,(AC)
but what the righteous desire will be given to them.(AD)

25 When the whirlwind passes,
the wicked are no more,(AE)
but the righteous are secure forever.(AF)

26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,(AG)
so the slacker is to the one who sends him on an errand.

27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,[b](AH)
but the years of the wicked are cut short.(AI)

28 The hope of the righteous is joy,(AJ)
but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.(AK)

29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the honorable,
but destruction awaits the malicious.(AL)

30 The righteous will never be shaken,
but the wicked will not remain on the earth.(AM)

31 The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom,(AN)
but a perverse tongue will be cut out.(AO)

32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate,(AP)
but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.(AQ)

11 Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord,(AR)
but an accurate weight is His delight.(AS)

When pride comes, disgrace follows,
but with humility comes wisdom.(AT)

The integrity of the upright guides them,(AU)
but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.(AV)

Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.(AW)

The righteousness of the blameless clears his path,
but the wicked person will fall because of his wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.(AX)

When the wicked man dies,
his expectation comes to nothing,
and hope placed in wealth[c][d] vanishes.(AY)

The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.(AZ)

With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

10 When the righteous thrive, a city rejoices,(BA)
and when the wicked die, there is joyful shouting.

11 A city is built up by the blessing of the upright,(BB)
but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked.(BC)

12 Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man with understanding keeps silent.(BD)

13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(BE)

14 Without guidance, people fall,
but with many counselors there is deliverance.(BF)

15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(BG)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[e] men gain only riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself,(BH)
but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.(BI)

18 The wicked man earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(BJ)

19 Genuine righteousness leads to life,(BK)
but pursuing evil leads to death.(BL)

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are His delight.(BM)

21 Be assured[f] that the wicked
will not go unpunished,(BN)
but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

22 A beautiful woman who rejects good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.(BO)

23 The desire of the righteous turns out well,(BP)
but the hope of the wicked leads to wrath.(BQ)

24 One person gives freely,
yet gains more;(BR)
another withholds what is right,
only to become poor.(BS)

25 A generous person will be enriched,(BT)
and the one who gives a drink of water
will receive water.(BU)

26 People will curse(BV) anyone who hoards grain,
but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.(BW)

27 The one who searches for what is good(BX) finds favor,
but if someone looks for trouble, it will come to him.(BY)

28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall,(BZ)
but the righteous will flourish like foliage.(CA)

29 The one who brings ruin on his household(CB)
will inherit the wind,(CC)
and a fool will be a slave
to someone whose heart is wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(CD)
but violence[g] takes lives.

31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and sinful.(CE)

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but one who hates correction is stupid.(CF)

The good person obtains favor from the Lord,(CG)
but He condemns a man who schemes.(CH)

Man cannot be made secure by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous is immovable.(CI)

A capable wife[h] is her husband’s crown,(CJ)
but a wife who causes shame
is like rottenness in his bones.(CK)

The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.

The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,(CL)
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(CM)

The wicked are overthrown and perish,(CN)
but the house of the righteous will stand.(CO)

A man is praised for his insight,
but a twisted mind is despised.

Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant,
than to act important but have no food.(CP)

10 A righteous man cares about his animal’s health,(CQ)
but even the merciful acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 The one who works his land will have plenty of food,(CR)
but whoever chases fantasies lacks sense.(CS)

12 The wicked desire what evil men have,[i]
but the root of the righteous produces fruit.

13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,(CT)
but a righteous one escapes from trouble.(CU)

14 A man will be satisfied with good
by the words of his mouth,(CV)
and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.(CW)

15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(CX)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(CY)

17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness, deceit.(CZ)

18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(DA)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(DB)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(DC)

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(DD)

21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(DE)
but the wicked are full of misery.

22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,(DF)
but faithful people are His delight.(DG)

23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(DH)

24 The diligent hand will rule,
but laziness will lead to forced labor.(DI)

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(DJ)

26 A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor,[j]
but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.(DK)

27 A lazy man doesn’t roast his game,(DL)
but to a diligent man, his wealth is precious.(DM)

28 There is life in the path of righteousness,
but another path leads to death.[k](DN)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:22 Or and He adds no trouble to it
  2. Proverbs 10:27 Lit Lord adds to days
  3. Proverbs 11:7 LXX reads hope of the ungodly
  4. Proverbs 11:7 Or strength
  5. Proverbs 11:16 Or ruthless
  6. Proverbs 11:21 Lit Hand to hand
  7. Proverbs 11:30 LXX, Syr; MT reads but a wise one
  8. Proverbs 12:4 Or A wife of quality, or A wife of good character
  9. Proverbs 12:12 Or desire a stronghold of evil
  10. Proverbs 12:26 Or man guides his neighbor
  11. Proverbs 12:28 Or righteousness, and in its path there is no death

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!

12 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
    but whoever hates correction is stupid.(CT)

Good people obtain favor from the Lord,(CU)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.(CV)

No one can be established through wickedness,
    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.(CW)

A wife of noble character(CX) is her husband’s crown,
    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.(CY)

The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(CZ)

The wicked are overthrown and are no more,(DA)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.(DB)

A person is praised according to their prudence,
    and one with a warped(DC) mind is despised.

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.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(DF)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(DG)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(DH)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(DI)

15 The way of fools seems right to them,(DJ)
    but the wise listen to advice.(DK)

16 Fools(DL) show their annoyance at once,(DM)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(DN)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.(DO)

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,(DP)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(DQ)

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.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,(DT)
    but he delights(DU) in people who are trustworthy.(DV)

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(DW)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(DX)

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.

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
  4. Proverbs 12:27 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.