1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death. 3 Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked. 4 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth. 5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame. 6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of t ..read more

1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city: 4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him, 5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed! 6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding." 7 One who corrects a mocker invites insult. One who reproves a wicked man invites abuse. 8 Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he ..read more

1 Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice? 2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands. 3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud: 4 "I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind. 5 You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart! 6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things. 7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perve ..read more

1 My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you. 2 Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Tell wisdom, "You are my sister." Call understanding your relative, 5 that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words. 6 For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice. 7 I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding, 8 passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to h ..read more

1 My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 you are trapped by the words of your mouth; you are ensnared with the words of your mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor. 4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; 7 which havin ..read more

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding, 2 that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge. 3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil, 4 but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.* 6 She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn't know it. 7 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don't depart from the words of my mouth. 8 Remove your way far from her. Don't come near the door of ..read more

1 Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; 2 for I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law. 3 For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. 4 He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, and don't deviate from the words of my mouth. 6 Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. 8 Esteem her ..read more

1 My son, don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace. 3 Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your body, and no ..read more

1 My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you, 2 so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; 4 if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge of God.* 6 For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. 7 He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 that he may guard the paths of justice ..read more

1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel: 2 to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man: 5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: 6 to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. 7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, listen ..read more