1 Prologue: Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; 2 for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, 3 doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, 4 knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, 5 and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables, 6 the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, 7 but fools[a] despise wisdom and discipline.
7 8 8 Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
9 Warning Against Enticement
8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction 8 and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head 9 and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, 10 do not give in to them.
11 If they say, "Come along with us; 11 let's lie in wait for someone's blood, 11 let's waylay some harmless soul;
12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave,[b] 12 and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things 13 and fill our houses with plunder;
14 throw in your lot with us, 14 and we will share a common purse"—
15 my son, do not go along with them, 15 do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into sin, 16 they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net 17 in full view of all the birds!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; 18 they waylay only themselves!
19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; 19 it takes away the lives of those who get it.
19 20
20 Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom
20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, 20 she raises her voice in the public squares;
21 at the head of the noisy streets[c] she cries out, 21 in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
22 "How long will you simple ones[d] love your simple ways? 22 How long will mockers delight in mockery 22 and fools hate knowledge?
23 If you had responded to my rebuke, 23 I would have poured out my heart to you 23 and made my thoughts known to you.
24 But since you rejected me when I called 24 and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25 since you ignored all my advice 25 and would not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; 26 I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, 27 when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, 27 when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; 28 they will look for me but will not find me.
29 Since they hated knowledge 29 and did not choose to fear the Lord,
30 since they would not accept my advice 30 and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways 31 and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, 32 and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety 33 and be at ease, without fear of harm."
1 Moral Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, if you accept my words 1 and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom 2 and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight 3 and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver 4 and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord 5 and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom, 6 and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright, 7 he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just 8 and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just 9 and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart, 10 and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you, 11 and understanding will guard you.
12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, 12 from men whose words are perverse,
13 who leave the straight paths 13 to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong 14 and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked 15 and who are devious in their ways.
16 It will save you also from the adulteress, 16 from the wayward wife with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth 17 and ignored the covenant she made before God.[e]
18 For her house leads down to death 18 and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return 19 or attain the paths of life.
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of good men 20 and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land, 21 and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, 22 and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
1 Further Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, 1 but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years 2 and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; 3 bind them around your neck, 3 write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name 4 in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart 5 and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, 6 and he will make your paths straight.[f]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; 7 fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body 8 and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, 9 with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, 10 and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline 11 and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, 12 as a father[g] the son he delights in.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, 13 the man who gains understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver 14 and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies; 15 nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; 16 in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways, 17 and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; 18 those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, 19 by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, 20 and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, 21 do not let them out of your sight;
22 they will be life for you, 22 an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety, 23 and your foot will not stumble;
24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; 24 when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster 25 or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence 26 and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, 27 when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, 28 "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"— 28 when you now have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, 29 who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse a man for no reason— 30 when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent man 31 or choose any of his ways,
32 for the Lord detests a perverse man 32 but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, 33 but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers 34 but gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise inherit honor, 35 but fools he holds up to shame.
1 Wisdom Is Supreme
1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; 1 pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning, 2 so do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a boy in my father's house, 3 still tender, and an only child of my mother,
4 he taught me and said, 4 "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; 4 keep my commands and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; 5 do not forget my words or swerve from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; 6 love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. 7 Though it cost all you have,[h] get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; 8 embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head 9 and present you with a crown of splendor."
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, 10 and the years of your life will be many.
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom 11 and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; 12 when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; 13 guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked 14 or walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; 15 turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; 16 they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness 17 and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, 18 shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; 19 they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say; 20 listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight, 21 keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them 22 and health to a man's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, 23 for it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth; 24 keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, 25 fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level[i] paths for your feet 26 and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; 27 keep your foot from evil.
1 Warning Against Adultery
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, 1 listen well to my words of insight,
2 that you may maintain discretion 2 and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, 3 and her speech is smoother than oil;
4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, 4 sharp as a double-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to death; 5 her steps lead straight to the grave.[j]
6 She gives no thought to the way of life; 6 her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.
7 Now then, my sons, listen to me; 7 do not turn aside from what I say.
8 Keep to a path far from her, 8 do not go near the door of her house,
9 lest you give your best strength to others 9 and your years to one who is cruel,
10 lest strangers feast on your wealth 10 and your toil enrich another man's house.
11 At the end of your life you will groan, 11 when your flesh and body are spent.
12 You will say, "How I hated discipline! 12 How my heart spurned correction!
13 I would not obey my teachers 13 or listen to my instructors.
14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin 14 in the midst of the whole assembly."
15 Drink water from your own cistern, 15 running water from your own well.
16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, 16 your streams of water in the public squares?
17 Let them be yours alone, 17 never to be shared with strangers.
18 May your fountain be blessed, 18 and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer— 19 may her breasts satisfy you always, 19 may you ever be captivated by her love.
20 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? 20 Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife?
21 For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, 21 and he examines all his paths.
22 The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; 22 the cords of his sin hold him fast.
23 He will die for lack of discipline, 23 led astray by his own great folly.
1 Warnings Against Folly
1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, 1 if you have struck hands in pledge for another,
2 if you have been trapped by what you said, 2 ensnared by the words of your mouth,
3 then do this, my son, to free yourself, 3 since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: 3 Go and humble yourself; 3 press your plea with your neighbor!
4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, 4 no slumber to your eyelids.
5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, 5 like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; 6 consider its ways and be wise!
7 It has no commander, 7 no overseer or ruler,
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer 8 and gathers its food at harvest.
9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? 9 When will you get up from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber, 10 a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit 11 and scarcity like an armed man.[k]
12 A scoundrel and villain, 12 who goes about with a corrupt mouth, 13 who winks with his eye, 13 signals with his feet 13 and motions with his fingers, 14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart— 14 he always stirs up dissension.
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; 15 he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
16 There are six things the Lord hates, 16 seven that are detestable to him: 16 17 16 haughty eyes, 16 a lying tongue, 16 hands that shed innocent blood, 16 18 16 a heart that devises wicked schemes, 16 feet that are quick to rush into evil, 16 19 16 a false witness who pours out lies 16 and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
16 20
17 Warning Against Adultery
20 My son, keep your father's commands 20 and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
21 Bind them upon your heart forever; 21 fasten them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will guide you; 22 when you sleep, they will watch over you; 22 when you awake, they will speak to you.
23 For these commands are a lamp, 23 this teaching is a light, 23 and the corrections of discipline 23 are the way to life,
24 keeping you from the immoral woman, 24 from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.
25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty 25 or let her captivate you with her eyes,
26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, 26 and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap 27 without his clothes being burned?
28 Can a man walk on hot coals 28 without his feet being scorched?
29 So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; 29 no one who touches her will go unpunished.
30 Men do not despise a thief if he steals 30 to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, 31 though it costs him all the wealth of his house.
32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; 32 whoever does so destroys himself.
33 Blows and disgrace are his lot, 33 and his shame will never be wiped away;
34 for jealousy arouses a husband's fury, 34 and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.
35 He will not accept any compensation; 35 he will refuse the bribe, however great it is.
1 Warning Against the Adulteress
1 My son, keep my words 1 and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live; 2 guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers; 3 write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," 4 and call understanding your kinsman;
5 they will keep you from the adulteress, 5 from the wayward wife with her seductive words.
6 At the window of my house 6 I looked out through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple, 7 I noticed among the young men, 7 a youth who lacked judgment.
8 He was going down the street near her corner, 8 walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading, 9 as the dark of night set in.
10 Then out came a woman to meet him, 10 dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is loud and defiant, 11 her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares, 12 at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of him and kissed him 13 and with a brazen face she said:
14 "I have fellowship offerings[l] at home; 14 today I fulfilled my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you; 15 I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed 16 with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed 17 with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; 18 let's enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home; 19 he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money 20 and will not be home till full moon."
21 With persuasive words she led him astray; 21 she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her 22 like an ox going to the slaughter, 22 like a deer[m] stepping into a noose[n] 23 till an arrow pierces his liver, 23 like a bird darting into a snare, 23 little knowing it will cost him his life.
24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; 24 pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways 25 or stray into her paths.
26 Many are the victims she has brought down; 26 her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,[o] 27 leading down to the chambers of death.
1 Wisdom's Call
1 Does not wisdom call out? 1 Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights along the way, 2 where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates leading into the city, 3 at the entrances, she cries aloud:
4 "To you, O men, I call out; 4 I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence; 5 you who are foolish, gain understanding.
6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; 6 I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true, 7 for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just; 8 none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right; 9 they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, 10 knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, 11 and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; 12 I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; 13 I hate pride and arrogance, 13 evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; 14 I have understanding and power.
15 By me kings reign 15 and rulers make laws that are just;
16 by me princes govern, 16 and all nobles who rule on earth.[p]
17 I love those who love me, 17 and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor, 18 enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold; 19 what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, 20 along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing wealth on those who love me 21 and making their treasuries full.
22 "The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[q][r] possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work 22 before his deeds of old;
23 I was appointed[s] from eternity, 23 from the beginning, before the world began.
24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, 24 when there were no springs abounding with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place, 25 before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the earth or its fields 26 or any of the dust of the world.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, 27 when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above 28 and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary 29 so the waters would not overstep his command, 29 and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. 30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. 30 I was filled with delight day after day, 30 rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world 31 and delighting in mankind.
32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me; 32 blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; 33 do not ignore it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, 34 watching daily at my doors, 34 waiting at my doorway.
35 For whoever finds me finds life 35 and receives favor from the Lord.
36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; 36 all who hate me love death."
1 Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly
1 Wisdom has built her house; 1 she has hewn out its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; 2 she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls 3 from the highest point of the city.
4 "Let all who are simple come in here!" 4 she says to those who lack judgment.
5 "Come, eat my food 5 and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; 6 walk in the way of understanding.
7 "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; 7 whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; 8 rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; 9 teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, 10 and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through me your days will be many, 11 and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; 12 if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."
13 The woman Folly is loud; 13 she is undisciplined and without knowledge.
14 She sits at the door of her house, 14 on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by, 15 who go straight on their way.
16 "Let all who are simple come in here!" 16 she says to those who lack judgment.
17 "Stolen water is sweet; 17 food eaten in secret is delicious!"
18 But little do they know that the dead are there, 18 that her guests are in the depths of the grave.[t]
1 Proverbs of Solomon
1 The proverbs of Solomon: 1 A wise son brings joy to his father, 1 but a foolish son grief to his mother.
2 Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, 2 but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry 3 but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4 Lazy hands make a man poor, 4 but diligent hands bring wealth.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, 5 but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, 6 but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[u]
7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, 7 but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart accept commands, 8 but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
9 The man of integrity walks securely, 9 but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
10 He who winks maliciously causes grief, 10 and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, 11 but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up dissension, 12 but love covers over all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, 13 but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
14 Wise men store up knowledge, 14 but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, 15 but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
16 The wages of the righteous bring them life, 16 but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.
17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, 17 but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
18 He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, 18 and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, sin is not absent, 19 but he who holds his tongue is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, 20 but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, 21 but fools die for lack of judgment.
22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, 22 and he adds no trouble to it.
23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, 23 but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.
24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him; 24 what the righteous desire will be granted.
25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, 25 but the righteous stand firm forever.
26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, 26 so is a sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life, 27 but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, 28 but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous, 29 but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
30 The righteous will never be uprooted, 30 but the wicked will not remain in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, 31 but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, 32 but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
1 The Lord abhors dishonest scales, 1 but accurate weights are his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, 2 but with humility comes wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, 3 but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, 4 but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, 5 but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, 6 but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; 7 all he expected from his power comes to nothing.
8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble, 8 and it comes on the wicked instead.
9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, 9 but through knowledge the righteous escape.
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; 10 when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, 11 but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, 12 but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
13 A gossip betrays a confidence, 13 but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, 14 but many advisers make victory sure.
15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, 15 but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
16 A kindhearted woman gains respect, 16 but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 A kind man benefits himself, 17 but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages, 18 but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19 The truly righteous man attains life,
