Proverbs NIV

___ has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat & mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, & she calls from the highest point of the city, "Let all those who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says, "Come, eat my food & drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways & you will live; walk in the way of ___.

Wisdom; insight

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs ___.

abuse

Wisdom will save you also from the ___ woman, from the wayward woman w/ her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth & ignored the covenant she made before God. Surely her house leads down to death & her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.

adulterous

People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. But a man who commits ___ has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows & disgrace are his lot, & his shame will never be wiped away.

adultery

Thus you will walk in the ways of the good & keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, & the ___ will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, & the unfaithful will be torn from it.

blameless

She is a tree of life in those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be ___.

blessed

My son, keep your father's command & do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this ___ is a lamp, this teaching is a light, & correction & instruction are the way to life, keeping you from your neighbor's wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.

command

My son, keep my words & store up my commands w/in you. Keep my ___ & you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

commands

There are 6 things the Lord hates, 7 that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies & a person who stirs up conflict in the ___.

community

For jealousy arouses a husband's fury, & he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will not accept any ___; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.

compensation

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores ___ leads others astray.

correction

Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of ___.

death

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the water depths were divided, & the clouds let drop the ___.

dew

A troublemaker & a villain, who goes about w/ a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously w/ his eye, signals w/ his feet & motions w/ his fingers, who plots evil w/ deceit in his heart - he always stirs up conflict. Therefore ___ will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed - w/o remedy.

disaster

The Lord detests ___ scales, but accurate weights find favor w/ him. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but w/ humility comes wisdom. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. Hopes placed in mortals die w/ them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing. The righteous person is rescued from trouble, & it falls on the wicked instead. With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

dishonest

For your ways are in full view of the Lord, & he examines all your paths. The ___ ways of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.

evil

Do not be wise in your own ___; fear the Lord & shun evil. This will bring health to your body & nourishment to your bones.

eyes

The ___ of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom & understanding.

fear

Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, & their their lips talk about making trouble. By wisdom a house is built, & through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled w/ rare & beautiful treasures. The wise prevail through great power, & those who have knowledge muster their strength. Surely you need guidance to wage war, & victory is won through many advisers. Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths. Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer. The schemes of folly are sin, & people detest a mocker. If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done? Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, & your hope will not be cut off. Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see & disapprove & turn his wrath away from them. Do not fret b/c of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, & the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. Fear the Lord & the king, my son, & do not join w/ rebellious officials, for those 2 will send sudden destruction on them, & who knows what calamities they can bring? These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good: Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent," will be cursed by peoples & denounced by nations. But it will go well w/ those who convict the guilty, & rich blessing will come on them. An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. Put your outdoor work in order & get your fields ready; after that, build your house. Do not testify against your neighbor w/o cause - would you use your lips to mislead? Do not say, "I'll do to them as they have done to me; I'll pay them back for what they did." I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered w/ weeds, & the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed & learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - & poverty will come on you like a thief & scarcity like an armed man. These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. As the heavens are high & the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. Remove the dross from the silver, & a silversmith can produce a vessel; remove wicked officials from the king's presence, & his throne will be established through righteousness. Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, & do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen w/ your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another's confidence, or the one who hears it may shame you & the charge against you will stand. Like apples of gold in settings of silver is ruling rightly given. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master. Like clouds & wind w/o rain is the one who boasts of gifts never given. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, & a gentle tongue can break a bone. If you find honey, eat just enough - too much of it, & you will vomit. Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house - too much of you, & they will hate you. Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy hart. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, & the Lord will reward you. Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue - which provokes a horrified look. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house w/ a quarrelsome wife. Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked. It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks ___.

self-control

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let someone else praise you, & not your own mouth; an outsider, & not your own lips. Stone is heavy & sand a burden, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. Anger is cruel & fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home. Perfume & incense bring joy to the heart, & the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, & do not go to your relative's house when disaster strikes you - better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. Be wise, my son, & bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me w/ contempt. The prudent see danger & take refuge, but the simple keep going & pay the penalty. Take the garment of one who put sup security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil w/ the hand. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. The one who guards a fig tree will eats its fruit, & whoever protects their master will be honored. As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart. Death & Destruction are never satisfied, & neither are human eyes. The crucible for silver & the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise. Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain w/ a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, & a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed & new growth appears & the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you w/ clothing, & the goats w/ the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed your family & to nourish your female ___.

servants

Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. Desire w/o knowledge is not good - how much more will hasty feet miss the way! A person's own ___ leads to their ruin, yet the heart rages against the Lord. Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closes friend of the poor person deserts them. A false witness will not go unpunished, & whoever pours out lies will not go free. Many curry favor w/ a ruler, & everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. The poor are shunned by all their relatives - how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them w/ pleading, they are nowhere to be found. The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. A false witness will not go unpunished, & whoever puts out lies will perish. It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury - how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense. A king's rage is the like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. A foolish child is a father's ruin, & a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof. Houses & wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Laziness brings on deep sleep, & the shiftless go hungry. Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, & he will reward them for what they have done. Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, & you will have to do it again. Listen to advice & accept discipline, & at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. What a person desires is unfalling love; better to be poor than a liar. The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; but he will not even bring it back to his mouth! Flog a mocker, & the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, & they will gain knowledge. Whoever robs their father & drives out their mother is a child who brings shame & disgrace. Stop listening to instruction, my son, & you will stray from the words of knowledge. A corrupt witness mocks at justice, & the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. Penalties are prepared for mockers, & beatings for the backs of fools.

folly

Listen, my son, to your father's instruction & do not ___ your mother's teaching.

foresake

Israel understood that the ___ had placed an order in His world that could be discovered. The book of Proverbs captures these lessons in compact, memorable sayings passed down from the wisest among their elders. Many of them are from ___, a king renowned for his wisdom. These proverbs are especially designed to help young people avoid common pitfalls & find the path to prosperity, health & security. After a short section of teaching, ___ itself, personified as a woman, calls out to the simple & invites them to grow in knowledge. This section ends by presenting 2 banquets, One hosted by Wisdom & One hosted by Folly, illustrating the essential choice to be made in life. A collection of 375 proverbs of Solomon follows, reflecting the numerical value of his name in Hebrew (Hebrew letters were also used as numbers, so words had a value equal to the sum of their letters.) After some "sayings of the wise," next is a collection of Solomon's wisdom compiled by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah. Here the count is 130, equaling the value of Hezekiah's name. The book closes w/ sayings from Agur & Lemuel, ending w/ a poem whose 22 parts begin w/ consecutive letters of Hebrew alphabet. The character qualities praised throughout the book are seen in a description of the ideal wife. This rich book of short, pithy wisdom presents a consistent theme: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Creator; Solomon; wisdom

___ is an unruly woman; she is simple & knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest pt. of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way, "Let all those who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says, "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!" But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

Folly

Let love & faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor & a good name in the sight of ___ & man.

God

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich & poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. The prudent see danger & take refuge, but the simple keep going & pay the penalty. ___ is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches & honor & life. In the paths of the wicked are snares & pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. Start children off on the way they should go, & even when they are old they will not turn from it. The rich rule over the poor, & the borrower is slave to the lender. Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, & the rod they wield in fury will be broken. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food w/ the poor. Drive out the mocker, & out goes strife; quarrels & insults are ended. One who loved a pure heart & who speaks w/ grace will have the king for a friend. The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!" The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord's wrath falls into it. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth & one who gives gifts to the rich - both come to poverty. Pay attention & turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart & you have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, U teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel & knowledge, teaching you to be honest & to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? Do not exploit the poor b/c they are poor & do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case & will exact life for life. Do not make friends w/ a hot-tempered person, do not associate w/ one easily angered, or you may learn their ways & get yourself ensnared. Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors. Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

Humility

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. ___ treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in the summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son. Blessings crowd the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Ill-gotten

The sayings of King Lemuel - an inspired utterance his mother taught him. Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. It is not for kings, Lemuel - it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink & forget what has been decreed, & deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink & forget their poverty & remember their misery no more. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up & judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor & needy. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her & lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool & flax & works w/ eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family & portions for her female servants. She considers a field & buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, & her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff & grasps the spindle w/ her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor & extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen & purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments & sells them, & supplies the merchants w/ sashes. She is clothed w/ strength & dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks w/ wisdom, & faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household & does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise & call her blessed; her husband also, & he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, & beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, & let her words bring her praise at the city ___.

gate

When you sit to dine w/ a ruler, note well what is before you, & put a knife to your throat if you are given to ___. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, & they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings & fly off to the sky like an eagle. Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies; for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat & drink," he says to you, but his heart is not w/ you. You will vomit up the little you have eaten & will have wasted your compliments. Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words. Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you. Apply your heart to instruction & your ears to words of knowledge. Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them w/ the rod, they will not die. Punish them w/ the rod & save them from death. My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, & your hope will not be cut off. Listen, my son, & be wise, & set your heart on the right path: Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards & gluttons become poor, & drowsiness clothes them in rags. Listen to your father, who gave you life, & do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth & do not sell it - wisdom, instruction, & insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father & mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! My son, give me your heart & let your eyes delight in my ways, for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, & a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait & multiplies the unfaithful among men. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake & poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, & your mind will make confusing things. You will be like 1 sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt!" They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"

gluttony

My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give into them. If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for innocent blood, let's ambush some ___ soul; let's swallow them alive, like the grave, & whole like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things & fill our houses w/ plunder; cast lots w/ us; we will all share the loot" - my son, do not go along w/ them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.

harmless

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them w/in your heart; for they are life to those that find them & ___ to one's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet & be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

health

Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your ___. Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," & to insight, "You are my relative." They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman w/ her seductive words.

heart

Trust in the Lord with all your ___ & lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways submit to him, & he will make your paths straight.

heart

How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it! These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ___ gain; it takes away from the life of those who get it.

ill-gotten

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of ___, that you may maintain discretion & your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, & her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

insight

A wise son heeds his father's ___ but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence. Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench & bring shame on themselves. Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. A person's riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes. The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out. Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. All who are prudent act w/ knowledge, but fools expose their folly. A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty & shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. Walk w/ the wise & become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded w/ good things. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away. Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves children is careful to discipline them. The righteous eat to their heart's content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

instruction

Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my ___ & be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life & receive favor from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.

instruction

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom & ___; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right & just & fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge & discretion to the young - let the wise listen & add to their learning, & let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs & parables, the sayings & riddles of the wise.

instruction

Whoever walks in ___ walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, & a chattering fool comes to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense. The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin & death.

integrity

My son, do not let wisdom & understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment & discretion; they will be ___ for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety & your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side & will keep your foot from being snared.

life

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise & they will ___ you. Instruct the wise & they will be wiser still; teach the righteous & they will add to their learning.

love

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - & poverty will come on you like a thief & scarcity like an armed ___.

man

The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing w/ water; before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust on earth. I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on face of the deep, when he est. the clouds above & fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, & when marked out the foundations of the earth. Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled w/ delight day after day. rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world & delighting in ___.

mankind

Wine is ___ & beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. A king's wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives. It is one's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their kids after them. When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil w/ his eyes. Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean & w/o sin?" Differing weights & differing measures - the Lord detests both. Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure & upright? Ears that hear & eyes that see - the Lord has made them both. Do not love sleep or you will grow poor, stay awake & you will have food to spare. "It's no good, it's not good!" says the buyer - then goes off & boasts about the purchase. Gold there is, & rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up w/ a mouth full of gravel; plans are est. by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance. A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much. If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness. An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the Lord, & he will avenge you. The Lord detests differing weights, & dishonest scales do not please him. A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? It is a trap to dedicate sth rashly & only later to consider one's vows. A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them; the human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one's most inmost being. Love & faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. Blows & wounds scrub away evil, & beatings purge the inmost being.

mocker

They are a garland to grace your head & a chain to adorn your ___.

neck

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your ___ "Come back tomorrow & I'll give it to you" - when you already have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason - when they have done you no harm.

neighbor

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen in you ___'s hands: Go - to the point of exhaustion - & give your neighbor no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

neighbor

Whoever conceals hatred w/ lying lips & spreads slander is a fool. Sin is not ended my multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous ___ many, but fools die for lack of sense. The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, w/o painful toil for it. A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. As vinegar to the teeth & smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards who send them.

nourish

Honor the Lord w/ your wealth, w/ the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to ___, & your vats will brim over w/ new wine.

overflowing

Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your ___ well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared w/ strangers. May your fountain be blessed, & may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer - may her breast satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated w/ her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated w/ another man's wife? Why embrace the bosom of the wayward woman?

own

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches & honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, & all her paths are ___.

peace

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years & bring you ___ & prosperity.

peace

Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you w/ her eyes. For a ___ can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man's wife preys on your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap w/o his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals w/o his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps w/ another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

prostitute

"I, wisdom, dwell together w/ ___; I possess knowledge & discretion. To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride & arrogance, evil behavior & perverse speech. Counsel & sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. By me kings reign & rulers issue decrees that are just; by me princes govern, & nobles - all who rule on earth. I love those who love me, & those who seek to find me. With me are riches & honor, enduring wealth & prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me & making their treasuries full.

prudence

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, & do not resent his ___ because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

rebuke

An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends & against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, & w/ shame comes ___. The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. It is not good to be partial to the wicked & so deprive the innocent of justice. The lips of the fool bring them strife, & their mouth invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, & their lips are a snare to their very lives. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it & are safe. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. To answer before listening - that is folly & shame. The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. A gift opens the way & ushers the giver into the presence of the great. In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forwards & cross-examines. Casting the lot settles disputes & keeps strong opponents apart. A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; w/ the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life & death, & those who love it will eat its fruit. He who finds a wife finds what is good & receives favor from the Lord. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

reproach

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe. A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure ___.

reward

The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. The prospect of the ___ is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land. From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced. The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

righteous

The path of the ___ is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the ___ is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

righteous; wicked

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, a rod for the backs of fools! Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a food according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison. Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. Like a thornbrush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hired a fool or any passer-by. As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. A sluggard says, "There's a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets! As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly. Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own. Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor & says, "I was only joking!" W/o wood a fire goes out; w/o gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers & as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips w/ an evil heart. Enemies disguise themselves w/ their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, & a flattering mouth works ___.

ruin

In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. A person may their own ways right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is just & right is more acceptable to the Lord than ___. Haughty eyes & a proud heart - the unplowed field of the wicked - produce sin. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. A fortune made by a lying tongue is fleeting vapor & a deadly snare. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house w/ a quarrelsome wife. The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked & brings the wicked to ruin. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out & not be answered. A gift given in secret soothes anger, & a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine & olive oil will never be rich. The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, & the unfaithful for the upright. Better to live in a desert than w/ a quarrelsome & nagging wife. The wise store up choice food & olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Whoever pursues righteousness & love finds life, prosperity, & honor. One who is wise can go up against city of mighty & pull down stronghold in which they trust. Those who guard their mouths & their tongues keep themselves from calamity. The proud & arrogant person - "Mocker" is his name - behaves w/ insolent fury. The craving of the sluggard will be the death of him, b/c his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give w/o sparing. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable - how much more so when brought w/ evil intent! A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests w/ the Lord.

sacrifice

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than ___ & yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare w/ her.

silver

At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. I saw among the ___ I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute & w/ crafty intent. (She is unruly & defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) She took hold of him & kissed him & w/ a brazen face she said: "Today I fulfilled my vows, & I have food from my fellowship offering at home. So I came out to meet you; I looked for & have found you! I have covered my bed w/ colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed w/ myrrh, aloes & cinnamon. Come, let's drink deeply of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves w/ love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled w/ money & will not be home till full moon." W/ persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him w/ her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

simple

Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you lose your honor to others & your dignity to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth & your toil enrich the house of another. At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh & body are ___. You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God's people.

spent

The wise woman builds her house, but w/ her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways. A fool's mouth lashes out w/ pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the ___ of an ox come abundant harvests. An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. The mocker seeks wisdom & finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips. The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. Each heart knows its own bitterness, & no one else can share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, & rejoicing may end in grief. The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, & the good rewarded for theirs. The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise fear the Lord & shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded & yet feels secure. A quick-tempered person does foolish things, & the one who devises evil schemes is hated. The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned w/ knowledge. Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, & the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. It is a sin to despise one's neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is food find love & faithfulness. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, & for their children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. A large population is a king's glory, but w/o subjects a prince is ruined. Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Whoever opposes the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning, & even among fools she lets herself be known. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

strength

The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh - an inspired utterance. This man's utterance to Ithiel: "I am weary, God, but I can prevail. Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to heaven & come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has est. all the ends of the earth? What is his name, & what is the name of his son? Surely you know! Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you & prove you a liar. 2 things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood & lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much & disown you & say, "Who is the Lord?" Or I may become poor & steal, & so dishonor the name of my God. Do not slander a servant to their master, or they will curse you, & you will pay for it. There are those who curse their fathers & do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes & yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords & whose jaws are set w/ knives to devour the poor from the earth & the needy from among mankind. The leech has 2 daughters. "Give! Give!" they cry. "There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, "Enough!": the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied w/ water, & fire, which never says, "Enough!" The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures. There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, & the way of a man w/ a young woman. "This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats & wipes her mouth & says, "I've done nothing wrong." "Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a godless fool who gets plenty to eat, a contemptible woman who gets married, & a servant who displaces her mistress. "Four things on earth are extremely small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; hyraxes are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; a lizard can be caught w/ the hand, yet it is found in kings' palaces. There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move w/ stately bearing: a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing; a strutting rooster, a he-goat, & a king secure against revolt. If you play the fool & exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning cream produces butters, & as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces ___."

strife

Listen, my son, accept what I say, & the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom & lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not ___. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it & go your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep until they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness & drink the wine of violence.

stumble

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, & knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, & yrs. added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will ___.

suffer

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention & gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, & cherished by my mother. Then he ___ me, & he said to me, "Take hold of my words w/ all your heart; keep my commands & you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom & she will protect you; love her, & she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, & she will exalt you; embrace her, & she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head & present you w/ a glorious crown.

taught

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler w/ discernment & knowledge maintains order. A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops. Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully. Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive good inheritance. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor & discerning sees how deluded they are. When the righteous triumph, there is great elation; but when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses & renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty. A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good - yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread. The stingy are eager to get rich & are unaware that poverty awaits them. Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue. Whoever robs their father or mother & says, "It's not wrong," is partner to one who destroys. The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper. Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in the wisdom are kept safe. Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous ___.

thrive

Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death. The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse but he delights in those whose ways are blameless. Be sure of this: The wicked will not go ___, but those who are righteous will go free. Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God's blessing on the one who is willing to sell. Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, & the fool will be servant to the wise. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, & the one who is wise saves lives. If the righteous receive their due on earth how much more ungodly the sinner! Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes. No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

unpunished

For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the ___ into his confidence. The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble & oppressed; the wise will inherit honor, but fools get only shame.

upright

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed - w/o remedy. When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down. Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet. Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy & are glad. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger. If a wise person goes to court w/ a food, the fool rages & scoffs, & there is no peace. The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity & seek to kill the upright. Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. The poor & the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. If a king judges the poor w/ fairness, his throne will be est. forever. A rod & a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. When the wicked thrive, so does din, but the righteous will see their downfall. Discipline your children, & they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction. Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond. Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them. A servant pampered from youth will turn out to be insolent. An angry person stirs up conflict, & a hot-tempered person commits many sins. Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies; they are put under oath & dare not testify. Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Many seek an audience w/ a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice. The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the ___.

upright

Do not envy the ___ or choose any of their ways.

violent

A ___ of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. 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. The wicked are overthrown & are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. A person is praised according to their prudence, & one w/ a warped mind is despised. Better to be a nobody & yet have servant than pretend to be somebody & have no food. The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense. The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures. Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk & so the innocent escape trouble. From the fruit of their lips people are filled w/ good things, & the work of their hands brings them reward. The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool's heart blurts out folly. Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind words cheers it up. The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked lead them astray. The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

wife

Does not ___ call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand: beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: "To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, & nothing you desire can compare w/ her."

wisdom

My son, if you accept my words & store up my commands w/in you, turning your ear to wisdom & applying your heart to understanding - indeed, if you call out for insight & cry aloud for understanding, & if you look for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord & find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives ___; from his mouth come knowledge & understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those who walk blameless, for he guards the course of the just & protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right & just & fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, & knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you & understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of the wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong & rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked, & who are devious in their ways.

wisdom

Out in the open ___ calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery & fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. But since you refuse to listen when I call & no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice & do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you - when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress & trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge & did not choose to fear the Lord. Since they would not accept my advice & spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways & be filled w/ the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, & the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety & be at ease, w/o fear of harm."

wisdom

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways & be ___! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer & gathers its food at harvest.

wise

A gentle answer turns away ___, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked & the good. The soothing tongue as a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. A fool spurns a parent's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin. The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright. The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of the godless fool. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice. A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the end of the earth. A foolish son brings ___ to his father & bitterness to the mother who bore him. If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right. The one who has knowledge uses words w/ restraint, & whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, & discerning if they hold their tongues.

wrath; grief