eng_aiv Amundson Interpretive Version Proverbs Proverbs Proverbs Prov Proverbs id=eng_aiv name=Amundson Interpretive Version (AIV) status=draft spec=USFM-USX 3.1.1 export=2026-11-02 char:add=translator-addition-italic char:wj=words-of-Jesus-as-received-unmapped note:f=footnotes para:r=parallel-passage-references para:d=psalm-superscriptions The Beginning of Knowledge (Proverbs 9:1–12) The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: For knowing wisdom and discipline, for discerning words of understanding, for receiving the instruction of wisdom, righteousness, and justice, and uprightness, for giving to the simple ones1.4 The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs refers to one who is naive, without moral direction, or inclined to evil. prudence, to a youth knowledge and discretion. Let the wise hear and add to instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb and a parable, the words of the wise ones and their riddles. The fear of YHWH is the beginning of knowledge; wisdom and instruction fools1.7 The Hebrew words rendered as fool in Proverbs denote one who is morally deficient. have despised. The Enticement of Sin Hear, my son, the discipline of your father, and do not forsake the instruction of your mother. For a garland of grace they are to your head, and pendants for your neck. My son, if sinners should entice you, do not be willing. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us hide for the innocent one without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit; all precious wealth we will find, we will fill our houses with plunder; let your lot fall in our midst— one purse there shall be for all of us!”— My son, do not walk in the way with them; withhold your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood. For the net is spread in vain in the eyes of any owner of the wing, and they lie in wait for their own blood; they lurk for their own souls. Such are the ways of everyone being greedy for dishonest gain— the soul of its masters it takes away. Wisdom Calls Aloud Wisdom calls aloud in the street; in the open squares she gives forth her voice. At the head of the clamoring1.21 Or From the top of the wall or In the main concourse she cries out; at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: “Until when, O simple ones, will you⁺ love simplicity, and those mocking delight themselves in mockery, and the foolish ones hate knowledge? Turn back at my rebuke; behold, I will pour out on you⁺ my spirit; I will make known my words to you⁺. Because I have called and you⁺ refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no one is paying attention; and you⁺ have neglected all my counsel, and you⁺ did not consent to my rebuke. I also will laugh at your⁺ calamity; I will mock the coming of your⁺ dread; your⁺ dread comes like a storm, and your⁺ calamity like a whirlwind comes, in the coming upon you⁺ of distress and anguish. Then they will call on me, and I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, and they will not find me, upon that they hated knowledge and they have not chosen the fear of YHWH. They did not consent to my counsel; they have despised all my reproof. And they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and from their own counsels they shall be filled. For the turning away of the simple ones slays them, and the complacency of fools destroys them. And the one listening to me will dwell in safety, and will be at ease from the dread of evil.” The Benefits of Wisdom My son, if you receive my words and you treasure my commands within you, to make your ear attentive to wisdom, you incline your heart to understanding. For if you call out for understanding, and for insight you give forth your voice, if you seek her like silver, and like hidden treasures you search for her, then you will understand the fear of YHWH, and the knowledge of God you will find. For YHWH gives wisdom; from His mouth is knowledge and understanding. He stores up for the upright good sense— protection for those walking with integrity. He watches over the paths of justice, and the way of His holy ones He guards. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and uprightness, every good path. For wisdom will enter into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will guard over you; understanding will guard you, to snatch you from the way of evil, from the man speaking perversity— those abandoning the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, those glad to do evil, they rejoice in the perversity of evil, whose ways are crooked, and who are turning aside in their paths. It will deliver you from a strange woman,2.16 Or from a wayward wife from a foreign woman2.16 Or from an adulteress having made smooth her words, the one having forsaken the guide of her youth, and she has forgotten the covenant of her God. For her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the Rephaim.2.18 That is, to the departed spirits Of all those coming to her, none will return, nor will they reach the paths of life. So you must walk in the way of the good ones, and guard the paths of the righteous ones. For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless ones will remain in it. And the wicked will be cut off from the earth, and treacherous ones will be plucked out from it. Trust in Yahweh with All Your Heart My son, do not forget my instruction, and let your heart keep my commands. For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. And do not let loving devotion3.3 Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant. and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. And you will find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man. Put your trust unto YHWH with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear YHWH and turn away from evil. Healing it will be to your navel, and refreshment to your bones. Honor YHWH from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce, and your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not despise the discipline of YHWH, and do not be grieved by His reproof, 3.11 LXX and do not lose heart when He rebukes; cited in Hebrews 12:5 for whom YHWH loves, He reproves, even as a father the son he is pleased with.3.12 LXX For whom the Lord loves, he rebukes, and He flogs every son He receives; cited in Hebrews 12:6 The Blessings of Wisdom Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, and the man who brings forth understanding, for better is the profit from her than profits of silver, and her produce than fine gold. Precious she is above rubies, and all your delights do not compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are wealth and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. A tree of life she is to those taking hold on her, and those grasping her are blessed. YHWH by wisdom founded the earth; He established the heavens by understanding; by His knowledge the depths have been broken up, and the clouds dripped dew. My son, do not do let them depart from your eyes; keep watch over wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck. Then you will walk your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not dread; and you have lain down, and your sleep shall be pleasant. Do not be afraid from sudden dread, and from the desolation of the wicked when it comes. For YHWH is at your flank, and He will guard your foot from capture. Do not withhold good from its owners,3.27 Or from the deserving with it being in the power of your hand to act. You must not say to your neighbor, “Go and return, and tomorrow I will give”— and it is with you. Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he is dwelling in trust with you. Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has not dealt with you for evil. Do not be envious of a man of violence, and do not choose any of his ways. For a perverse one is an abomination to YHWH, and with the upright is His secret counsel. The curse of YHWH is on the house of the wicked one, but the abode of the righteous He blesses. If He mocks at those mocking, then He gives favor to the humble. 3.34 LXX The Lord opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble; cited in James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 The wise will inherit honor, and fools are held up to disgrace. A Father’s Instruction Hear, my sons, the discipline of a father, and pay attention to know understanding. For good teaching I have given to you⁺; do not forsake my instruction. For I was a son to my father, tender and the only one before the face of my mother, and he instructed me and said to me, “Let your heart take hold of my words; keep my commands, and live. Acquire wisdom; acquire understanding! Do not forget and do not bend away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. The first thing is wisdom; acquire wisdom, and in all your acquiring,4.7 Or And whatever else you acquire acquire understanding. Lift her up, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honor when you embrace her. She will give to your head a wreath of grace; a crown of beauty she will deliver to you.” Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of life will be multiplied for you. In the way of wisdom I have instructed you; I have made you step in paths of uprightness. In your walking, your steps will not be restricted; and when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction; do not let go; Guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter into the path of the wicked ones, and do not walk in the way of evil ones. Avoid it! Do not pass onto it; turn aside from it and pass by. For they cannot sleep if they have not done evil; and their sleep is stolen if they do not they cause stumbling. Indeed, they eat the bread of wickedness; they drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of brightness, and shining and going forth, until the day is established. The way of the wicked is like the darkness— they do not know over what they stumble. My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes— keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those finding them, and to all his flesh healing. With all diligence, guard your heart, for from it are the outgoings of life. Turn away from you the crookedness of the mouth, and perverse lips put far from you. Your eyes should look forward, and your eyelids keep straight before you. Make level the path for your feet, and all your ways shall be established. 4.26 Or Ponder the path for your feet; LXX Make straight paths for your feet; cited in Hebrews 12:13 Do not bend away to the right or the left; turn aside your foot from evil. Avoiding Immorality (Leviticus 20:10–21; 1 Corinthians 5:1–8) My son, pay attention to my wisdom, and to my understanding incline your ear, to keep discretion, and that your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of the forbidden woman5.3 Or of the adulteress drip honey, and smoother than oil is her palate;5.3 Or her speech but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp with mouths as a sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lay hold of sheol.5.5 Or lead straight to Sheol The path of life she does not weigh; her tracks are unstable; she does not know it. And now, sons, listen to me, and do not turn aside from the words of my mouth. Keep your path far away from her, and do not go near to the opening of her house, lest you give to others your splendor, and your years to a cruel one; lest strangers be satisfied by your strength, and your labors be in the house of a foreigner; and you groan at your end, in the consumption of your flesh and your body, and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart spurned rebuke! And I have not listened to the voice of my instructors, and I have not inclined my ear to those teaching me. Am I as a little from all evil, in the midst of the assembly and the gathering.” Drink water from your own cistern and flowing from the midst of your own well. Should your fountains be dispersed outside, channels of water in broad places? Let them be for you, yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. A loving doe and a graceful deer, let her breasts satisfy you at all times— may you wander5.19 Or be led astray; also in verse 20 in her love continually! So why do you wander, my son, with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a foreign woman?5.20 Or of a stranger or of another man’s wife For the ways of man are in front of the eyes of YHWH, and all his paths He weighs.5.21 Or examines or makes level His own iniquities capture a wicked one, and he is held with the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of discipline, and in the abundance of his folly he shall go astray. Warnings against Foolishness My son, if you have been surety for your neighbor, or have struck your hand for the stranger, or have been lured by the words of your mouth, captured by the words of your mouth, then you must do this my son, and deliver yourself, for you have come into the palm of your neighbor: Go humble yourself,6.3 Or Go, hasten and press your neighbor. You should not give sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids— snatch yourself like a gazelle from the hand,6.5 That is, from the hand of the hunter. and like a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, O sluggish one; see her ways and become wise: Which there is not unto her a chief, an official, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer, she has gathered her food in the harvest. Until when, O sluggish one, will you slumber? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down, and your poverty comes like one walking, and your need like a man of shield. A man of worthlessness, a man of iniquity, is walking with crookedness of mouth, winking with his eyes, speaking with his foot, pointing with his fingers, with perversity in his heart, plotting evil; at every time he sends forth strife. Upon thus his calamity shall come suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered, and without healing. These six things YHWH hates, and seven are an abomination to His soul: Eyes raised high, a tongue of falsehood, and hands pouring out innocent blood, a heart devising plans of iniquity, feet hurrying to run toward evil, one breathing out lies, a witness of falsehood, and one sending forth contentions between brothers. Warnings against Adultery Keep, my son, the command of your father, and do not forsake the instruction of your mother. Bind them upon your heart continually; tie them around your neck. In your going about, it will lead you; in your lying down, it will guard you; when you awake, it will speak with you. For the command is a lamp, and the instruction a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life, to guard you from the woman of evil, from the smoothness of the tongue of a strange woman.6.24 Or of an adulteress Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her take hold of you with her eyelids.6.25 Or eyes or eyelashes For the price of a woman prostitute is as a crust of bread, and the woman6.26 Or wife of a man hunts a precious soul. Can a man seize fire in his bosom, and his garments not be burned? Or can a man walk upon the hot coals, and his feet not be scorched? So is the one coming in to the wife of his neighbor; anyone who touches her shall not be innocent. They do not despise the thief if he steals to fill his soul when he is hungry, and having been found, he must repay sevenfold; all the wealth of his house he must give. The one committing adultery with a woman is lacking of heart; he does it, destroying his own soul. He finds only a stroke and shame, and his reproach is not wiped away. For jealousy is the heat of a man, and he will not spare on the day of vengeance. He will not lift the face of any ransom, and he will not consent, though you may multiply the bribe. Warnings about the Adulteress My son, keep my words and treasure my commands within you. Guard my commands and live, and my instruction like the pupil7.2 Or the apple of your eyes. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call out to understanding, “Kinsman,” to guard you from the strange woman, from a foreign woman who has made smooth her words. For at the window of my house I have looked through my lattice, and I have looked among the simple, and discerned among the sons a young man lacking heart, passing by on the street near her corner, and the way of her house he steps in— in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the pupil of night and darkness. And behold, a woman to meet him, in the garment of a prostitute and guarded of heart. She is roaring and rebellious; in her house her feet do not dwell. Once in the street, once in the open squares, and beside every corner she lies in wait. And she laid hold on him and kissed him; she has hardened her face and said to him: “Sacrifices of peace offerings are by me; this day I have paid my vows; upon thus I have come out to meet you, to earnestly seek your face, and I have found you! With coverings I have spread my couch, with colored linen of Egypt. I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning; let us delight ourselves with loves! For the husband is not in his house; he has gone far away on a road. A bag of silver he has taken with him; on the day of the full moon he will enter his house.” She turns him aside with the abundance of her speech; with the smoothness of her lips she compels him. Going after her suddenly, he goes in like an ox to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap,7.22 Probable reading (see LXX, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew like fetters to discipline a fool until an arrow splits his liver, like the hurrying of a bird to the snare, and he did not know that it was for his soul! And now, sons, listen to me, and attend to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths. For many wounded ones she has made fall; and numerous are all her slain ones. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death. The Excellence of Wisdom Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding give forth her voice? At the head of the heights, beside the road, at the house of the paths, she takes her stand. At the hand of the gates, at the mouth of the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out: “To you⁺, O men, do I call, and my voice is to the sons of man! Discern prudence, O simple ones; and you foolish ones, understand the heart.8.5 Or instruct your minds Listen, for noble things do I speak, and the opening of my lips is uprightness. For my mouth utters truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. In righteousness are all the words of my mouth; nothing in them is crooked or perverse. All of them are plain to the intelligent, and upright to those finding knowledge. Receive my instruction and not silver, and knowledge above choicest gold. For better is wisdom than rubies, and all delights cannot be compared with her. I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and knowledge of discretion I find out. The fear of YHWH is to hate evil; I hate pride, and arrogance, and the way of evil, and the mouth of perversity. Counsel and sound wisdom are unto me; I am understanding; unto me is strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles— all those judging with righteousness.8.16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and LXX those governing the earth I love those who love me, and those seeking me earnestly will find me. Riches and honor are with me, surpassing wealth and righteousness. Better is my fruit than gold, even pure gold, and my produce than choice silver. In the way of righteousness I walk, in the midst of the paths of justice, to cause those loving me to inherit substance, and their treasuries I will fill. YHWH acquired me at the beginning of His way,8.22 Or YHWH created me as his first course before His works at that time. From everlasting I was poured out, from the head, from before the earth. In being no depths, I was brought forth, in being no springs heavy with waters. Before the mountains were sunk, before the hills, I was brought forth— while He had not made the land, or the outside places, or the first dusts of the world. In His establishing the heavens, I was there; in His inscribing a circle on the face of the deep, in His strengthening the clouds above, in His making strong the fountains of the deep, in His setting for the sea its limit, so that the waters would not cross over His command, in His marking out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Him as a craftsman, and I was a delight8.30 Or I was filled with His delight day by day, laughing before His face at every time, laughing in the world of His earth, and delighting together with the sons of man. So now, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to discipline and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the man listening to me, watching at my gates day by day, keeping watch at the posts of my doors. For the one finding me has found life, and he brings forth favor from YHWH; but the one sinning against me is wronging his soul; all those hating me love death.” The Way of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:1–7) Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out9.1 Hebrew; LXX, Syriac, and Aramaic Targum she has set up her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her slaughter; she has mixed her wine; indeed, she has arranged her table. She has sent out her maidens; she calls out on the tops of the heights of the city: “Who is simple? Let him turn in here!” To the lacking of heart, she says to him: “Come, feed on my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness, and live, and walk in the way of understanding.” The one correcting one scoffing is receiving for himself shame, and the one rebuking a wicked one, his blemish. Do not rebuke one scoffing, lest he hate you; Give reproof to a wise one, and he will love you. Give to a wise one, and he will be wiser still; give knowledge to a righteous one, and he will increase in learning. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of YHWH, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom9.11 LXX, Syriac, and Aramaic Targum; Hebrew through me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you. If you have been wise, you have been wise for yourself, and if you have scoffed, you will bear it for yourself alone. The Way of Folly The woman of foolishness roars; she is simple, and she has not known anything. And she sits at the door of her house, upon a seat in the heights of the city, to call to those passing by the way, those going straight on their paths: “Who is simple? Let him turn in here!” And the lacking of heart, she says to him: “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread of secrecies is pleasant.” He does not know that the Rephaim9.18 Or the dead are there; her called ones are in the depths of Sheol. Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son The Proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a father glad, and a foolish son is the grief of his mother. The treasures of wickedness will not bring gain, and righteousness delivers from death. YHWH will not let the righteous soul go hungry, and the desire of the wicked ones He thrusts away. The one making slack his hand becomes poor, and the hand of the diligent ones makes rich. The one gathering in the summer is a wise son; one sleeping in the harvest is a son causing shame. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, and the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.10.6 Or but violence covers the mouth of the wicked; also in verse 11 The memory of the righteous is for a blessing, and the name of the wicked will rot. The one wise of heart receives commands, and the one foolish of lips will be thrown down. The one walking in integrity walks securely, and the one twisting his ways will be known. The one winking with the eye gives grief, and foolish lips will be thrown down.10.10 Or babbling fools will fall A fountain of life is the mouth of a righteous one, and the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, and love covers over all transgressions. 10.12 See 1 Peter 4:8 On the lips of a discerning one wisdom is found, and a rod is for the back of the one lacking understanding. The wise treasure knowledge, and the mouth of the fool is near destruction. The wealth of a rich one is the city of his strength; the destruction of the poor is their poverty. The wage of the righteous is for life; the produce of the wicked is for sin. The path to life the one guarding discipline, and one forsaking rebuke goes astray. The one covering hatred has lips of falsehood, and the one bringing forth slander, he is a fool. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, and the one restraining his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is for little. The lips of the righteous feed many, and fools die by lack of heart. The blessing of YHWH—it enriches, and toil cannot add to it. The doing of evil is like laughter to a fool, and wisdom is unto a man of understanding. The terror of a wicked one—it will come to him, and the desire of the righteous is given. At the passing over of a whirlwind, a wicked one is no more, and a righteous one has a foundation forever. Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggish one to those sending him. The fear of YHWH adds days, and the years of the wicked will be short. The hope of the righteous ones is joy, and the expectation of the wicked ones will perish. The way of YHWH is strength for the upright, and destruction for doers of iniquity. A righteous one will not be shaken forever, and the wicked will not dwell in the land. The mouth of a righteous one brings forth wisdom, and a tongue of perversity will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing, and the mouth of the wicked ones, perversity. Dishonest Scales (Deuteronomy 25:13–16; Ezekiel 45:10–12) Scales of deceit are an abomination to YHWH, and a whole stone is His delight. Pride has come, and shame also comes, and with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright ones guides them, and the perversity of the treacherous ones destroys them. Wealth will not profit in the day of wrath, and righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of a blameless one makes his way straight, and in his wickedness a wicked one will fall. The righteousness of the upright ones will deliver them, and by their own desires those acting treacherously are captured. With the death of a wicked man, expectation perishes, and the hope of his vigor perishes. A righteous one is drawn out from distress, and it comes to the wicked in his place. With the mouth a godless one destroys his neighbor, and with knowledge righteous ones will be delivered. In the good of the righteous ones a city rejoices, and in the destruction of wicked ones is a shout of joy. By the blessing of the upright a city is lifted high, and by the mouth of the wicked ones it is torn down. The one despising his neighbor is lacking of heart, and a man of understanding keeps quiet. One going about slandering is revealing secret counsel, and the one faithful of spirit conceals the matter. Without counsels, a people falls, and salvation is in many giving counsel. One will surely suffer evil if he pledges for a stranger, and one who hates striking hands remains secure. A woman of grace grasps honor, and the ruthless ones grasp riches. A man of kindness deals well with his soul, and a cruel one troubles his flesh. A wicked one makes a reward of deception, and the one sowing righteousness has a wage of truth. Rightly is righteousness for life, and the one pursuing evil is unto his own death. The crooked of heart are an abomination to YHWH, and those blameless in their way are His delight. Hand to hand, a wicked one is not acquitted, and the seed of the righteous will escape punishment. A ring of gold in the nose of a pig, is a beautiful woman lacking discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good, and the hope of the wicked is wrath. There is one dispersing, and increasing more, and one withholding from uprightness, only for lack. A soul of blessing is made fat, and the one who drenches, he also will sprout. The one withholding grain, the people will curse him, and blessing is on the head of the one selling. The one earnestly seeking good seeks favor, and the one seeking evil, it will come to him. The one trusting in his riches, he will fall, and the righteous ones will sprout like the leaf. The one troubling his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool is servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of a righteous one is a tree of life, and the one taking souls is wise. Behold, a righteous one will be repaid in the land, surely also the ungodly and the sinner! 11.31 LXX If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? Cited in 1 Peter 4:18 Loving Discipline and Knowledge The one loving discipline is loving knowledge, and the one hating correction is stupid. A good one brings forth favor from YHWH, and a man of schemes He will condemn. A man is not established by wickedness, and the root of the righteous shall not be shaken. A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband, and the one causing shame is like rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous ones are justice; the counsels of the wicked ones are for deceit. The words of the wicked ones lie in wait for blood, and the mouth of the upright ones delivers them. Wicked ones are overthrown, and they are no more, and the house of the righteous ones shall stand. A man is praised according to the mouth of his insight, and the one crooked of heart will be for contempt. Better to be lightly esteemed, and a servant is unto him, than the one honoring himself and lacking bread. A righteous one regards the life of his animal, and the mercies of the wicked ones are cruel. The one working his land is satisfied with bread, while the one pursuing vanities is lacking of heart. The wicked desires the net of evildoers, and the root of the righteous ones will give. The snare of a wicked one is in the transgression of lips, and a righteous one will come out from distress. From the fruit of the mouth, a man will be satisfied with good, and the recompence of the hands of a man returns to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, and the one listening to counsel is wise. The fool—in a day his anger is known; and a prudent one covers shame. The one breathing forth truth declares righteousness, and a witness of falsehoods, deceit. There is one speaking rashly like the thrusts of a sword, and the tongue of the wise ones is healing. The lip of truth is established forever, and the tongue of deceit for an instant. Deception is in the heart of those devising evil, and for those counseling peace is joy. Not any iniquity will meet with the righteous one, and the wicked are full of evil. An abomination to YHWH are lips of falsehood, and those acting in truth are His delight. A prudent man is concealing knowledge, and the heart of stupid ones calls out folly. The hand of the diligent ones will rule, and slothfulness will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in the heart of man bends him down, and a good word gladdens it. A righteous one searches out from his neighbor, and the way of the wicked leads them astray. The slothful one does not roast his game, and the wealth of a man is precious for a diligent one. In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway is no death. A Father’s Discipline A son is wise by the discipline of his father, and a mocker does not listen to rebuke. From the fruit of the mouth a man eats good things, and the soul of the treacherous, violence. One guarding his mouth is keeping his soul; one opening his lips, destruction is unto him. The soul of a sluggish one is desiring, and has nothing; and the soul of the diligent ones is made fat. A righteous one hates a word of falsehood, and a wicked one causes stench and shame. Righteousness guards the one of integrity in the way, and wickedness overthrows the sinner. There is one making himself rich and having nothing at all, one making himself poor and having abundant wealth. His riches are the ransom for the soul of a man, and a poor one has not heard rebuke. The light of the righteous rejoices, and the lamp of the wicked is extinguished. Only with arrogance does one give forth strife, and wisdom is with the counseled ones. Wealth from vanity is diminished, and the one gathering by the hand becomes great. Hope deferred weakens the heart, and desire fulfilled is a tree of life. The one despising the word is destroyed for it, and the one fearing the command, he will be rewarded. The instruction13.14 Or law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death. Good insight gives favor, and the way of the treacherous is perpetual. Every prudent one acts with knowledge, and a fool spreads out folly. A wicked messenger falls into evil, and an envoy of faithfulness is healing. Poverty and shame are to one disdaining discipline, and the one regarding a rebuke is honored. A desire coming to pass is pleasant to the soul, and turning aside from evil is an abomination to fools. The one walking with wise ones will become wise, and the one accompanying fools will suffer evil. Evil pursues the sinful ones, and goodness will reward the righteous ones. A good one leaves an inheritance for the sons of his sons, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for a righteous one. There is much food in the fallow ground of the poor, and it is swept away for lack of justice. The one withholding his rod is hating his son, and one loving him diligently seeks him with discipline. A righteous one is eating to the satisfaction of his soul, and the belly of the wicked will be lacking. The Wise Woman The wisest of women builds her house, and a foolish woman with her own hands tears it down. The one walking in his uprightness is fearful of YHWH, and the one devious in his ways despises Him. In the mouth of a fool is a branch of pride, and the lips of the wise ones guard them. With no oxen, the trough is empty, and an abundance of produce is by the strength of an ox. A witness of faithfulness does not lie, and a witness of deception breathes out lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom, and there is none, and knowledge is easy to the discerning one. Depart from in front of a man who is foolish, for you will not know there the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of a prudent one is to understand his way, and the folly of fools is deceit. Fools mock the guilt offering, and among the upright ones is favor. The heart knows the bitterness of its own soul, and in its joy a stranger does not share. The house of the wicked ones will be destroyed, and the tent of the upright ones will flourish. There is a way right before the face of a man, and its end is the way of death. Even in laughter a heart may be pained, and the end of joy is grief. The one turning back in heart will be filled from his ways, and a good man, from himself. The simple one affirms every word, and the prudent one considers his step. A wise one fears14.16 Or fears YHWH and turns aside from evil, and a fool is transgressing and is confident. One short of nostrils acts with foolishness, and a man of schemes is hated. The simple ones inherit foolishness, and the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil ones will bow before the face of good ones, and wicked ones at the gates of the righteous one. The poor one is hated even by his neighbor, and those loving the rich one are many. The one despising his neighbor sins, and the one showing favor to the poor is blessed. Do they not go astray who are planning evil? And loving devotion and truth are unto those planning good. In all labor there is profit, and a word of the lips is only to poverty. The crown of the wise is their wealth; the folly of fools is folly. A witness of truth is delivering souls, and one who breathes out lies is deceitful. In the fear of YHWH confidence is strong, and for his sons there is a refuge. The fear of YHWH is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death. In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, and in a lack of people is the ruin of a prince. The one slow to anger is great in understanding, and the one short of temper lifts up folly. A heart of healing is life to the body, and jealousy is rottenness to the bones. The one oppressing the poor reproaches his Maker, and the one honoring Him shows favor to the needy. By his evil a wicked one is thrust down, and a righteous one takes refuge in his death. In the heart of a discerning one wisdom rests, and within fools she makes herself known.14.33 Hebrew; LXX and Syriac but among fools she is not known Righteousness exalts a nation, and sin is a reproach of peoples. The favor of a king is toward a wise servant, and his wrath is to one causing shame. A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath A tender answer turns away rage, and a word of pain raises up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge good, and the mouth of fools pours forth folly. The eyes of YHWH are in every place, watching evil ones and good ones. A healing tongue is a tree of life, and crookedness in it is a breaking in the spirit. A fool despises the discipline of his father, and the one receiving correction is prudent. In the house of the righteous is much treasure, and in the produce of the wicked is trouble. The lips of the wise ones scatter knowledge, and the heart of fools, not so. The sacrifice of the wicked ones is an abomination to YHWH, and the prayer of the upright ones is His delight. An abomination to YHWH is the way of the wicked, and the one pursuing righteousness, He loves. Discipline is grievous to the one abandoning the way; one hating correction will die. Sheol and Abaddon15.11 Or Death and Destruction are before of YHWH— and surely the hearts of the sons of men! One mocking does not love one who rebukes to him; he will not go to the wise ones. A joyful heart makes a face good, and by sorrow of heart a spirit is stricken. A discerning heart seeks knowledge, and the mouth of fools feeds on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, and a good heart is a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of YHWH, than great treasure and anxiety with it. Better is a portion of herbs when love is there, than a fattened calf when hatred is with it. A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one long of nostrils quiets fighting. The way of the sluggish one is like a hedge of thorns, and the path of the upright is raised up. A wise son gladdens his father, and a foolish man despises his mother. Folly is joy to the one lacking heart, and a man of understanding makes straight his walk. Plans without counsel are broken, and in a multitude of counselors it is established. Joy is unto a man in the answer of his mouth, and a word in its season, how good it is! The path of life is on high for the one being wise, that he may turn away from Sheol below. YHWH will tear down the house of the proud ones, and He will make stand the boundary of the widow. An abomination YHWH are the thoughts of the wicked, and pure are words of pleasantness. The one being greedy for dishonest gain is troubling his house, and the one hating bribes will live. The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, and the mouth of the wicked pours forth evils. Far is YHWH from the wicked, and He hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes gladdens the heart; a good report fattens the bone. The ear hearing the rebukes of life, it will abide among the wise ones. The one neglecting discipline despises his own soul, and the one hearing a rebuke acquires understanding. The fear of YHWH is the instruction of wisdom, and before the face of honor is humility. The Reply of the Tongue Is from Yahweh The plans of the heart are unto man, and from YHWH is the answer of the tongue. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, and YHWH weighs out the spirit. Roll your works toward YHWH, and your plans will be established. YHWH has made everything for its own end— even the wicked for the day of evil. An abomination to YHWH is everyone high of heart; hand to hand, he will not be acquitted. By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of YHWH one turns aside from evil. When the ways of a man please YHWH, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than an abundance of increase without justice. The heart of man plans his way, and YHWH establishes his step. Divination is on the lips of the king; in judgment his mouth shall not be unfaithful. A balance and scales of justice are unto YHWH; all the stones of the bag are His work. An abomination to kings is to commit wickedness, for by righteousness a throne is established. Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings, and one speaking uprightly he loves. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, and a wise man will appease it. In the light of the face of a king is life, and his favor is like a cloud of spring rain. To acquire wisdom—how much better than gold! And to acquire understanding is to be chosen above silver! The highway of the upright ones turns aside from evil; one guarding his soul watches over his way. Before the face of breaking is pride, and before a fall is a haughty spirit. Better to be lowly spirit among the poor, than to divide plunder with proud ones. One acting wisely concerning a matter will find good,16.20 Or Whoever speaks prudently will find what is good and one trusting in YHWH is blessed. The one wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of lips increases learning. A fountain of life is understanding to its owners, and the discipline of fools is folly. The heart of the wise causes his mouth to act wisely, and upon his lips he increases learning. Words of pleasantness are a comb of honey— sweet to the soul and healing to the bone. There is a way right before the face of a man, and its end is the way of death. The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth presses him onward. A man of worthlessness digs up evil, and upon his lips it is like a fire burning. A man of perversity sends out strife, and a murmurer is separating a close friend. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. Winking his eyes to devise perversity, pursing his lips, he has accomplished evil. Grey hair is a crown of glory; along the path of righteousness it is found. Better is one slow to anger than a mighty one, and one ruling over his spirit than one taking a city. Into the lap the lot is cast, and all its judgment is from YHWH. Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it, than a house full of feasting17.1 Or sacrifices with strife. A wise servant rules over a son who acts shamefully, and in the midst of brothers he will share an inheritance. The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, and the One testing hearts is YHWH. One doing evil pays attention to lips of iniquity; a liar gives ear to a tongue of evil desires. One mocking the poor scorns his Maker; one glad at calamity will not be acquitted. The crown of old men are the sons of sons, and the glory of sons are their fathers. A lip of excellence is not lovely to a fool, even less to a prince is a lip of falsehood. A stone of favor is a bribe in the eyes of its owners— to all that he turns, he prospers. The one covering a transgression is seeking love, and one repeating a word is separating a close friend. A rebuke goes down into an understanding one, more than a hundred stripes into a fool. An evil one seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let meet a bear robbed of her cubs with a man, and not a fool in his folly. One returning evil in exchange for good— evil shall not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is a letting out of waters, and before it breaks out, abandon the dispute. One justifying the wicked, and condemning the just— even the two of them are an abomination to YHWH. Why is this a payment in the hand of a fool, to buy wisdom without a heart? At every time a friend is loving, and a brother is born for distress. A man lacking heart is one striking hands, pledging a pledge before the face of his friend. The one loving transgression loves strife; the one making high his entrance is seeking destruction. The twisted of heart shall not find good, and the turned in his tongue falls into evil. The one begetting a fool, grief is unto him, and the father of a fool is not glad. A joyful heart is good healing, and a spirit stricken dries up the bones. A wicked one takes a bribe from the bosom17.23 Or a covert bribe to stretch aside the paths of justice. With the face of a discerning one is wisdom and the eyes of a fool are at the end of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him. Surely to fine the righteous is not good, to strike nobles for uprightness. The one restraining his words is one knowing knowledge, and calm of spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool keeping silent is considered wise, one shutting his lips discerning. The Selfishness of the Unfriendly The one separating himself seeks his own desire, against all sound wisdom he breaks out. A fool does not delight in understanding, but rather in uncovering his heart. With the coming of the wicked also comes contempt, and with shame, reproach. The words of the mouth of a man are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook. To lift up the face18.5 Or To show partiality to a wicked one is not good— to overthrow a righteous one in the judgment. The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth calls for blows. The mouth of a fool is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a whisperer are like things to be gulped, and they go down into the chambers of the belly. The one being slack in his work, he is also a brother to a lord of destruction. A tower of strength is the name of YHWH— to it18.10 Or to Him a righteous one runs and is set on high. The wealth of the rich one is the city of his strength, and like a wall set high in his imagination. Before the face of destruction, the heart of a man is exalted, and before honor is humility. The one returning a word before he hears, it is folly to him and disgrace. The spirit of a man will sustain him in his sickness, and a stricken spirit—who can bear it? The heart of an understanding one acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise ones seeks knowledge. The gift of a man makes room for him, and it leads him before the face of great ones. The first in his dispute seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him. The lot makes quarrels cease, and it separates between mighty ones. A brother transgressed is as a city of strength, and quarrels are like the gate bar of a citadel. From the fruit of the mouth of a man, his belly is satisfied; with the produce of his lips he is satisfied. Death and life are in the hand of the tongue, and those loving it will eat its fruit. He who has found a wife has found good, and he obtains favor from YHWH. With supplications the poor one speaks, and a rich one answers fiercely. A man of companions may come to ruin, and there is a lover adhering more than a brother. The Man of Integrity Better is one being poor walking in his integrity than the one crooked in his lips, and he is a fool. Also, a soul without knowledge is not good; and the one hurrying with his feet is sinning. The folly of a man perverts his way, and his heart rages against YHWH. Wealth adds many friends, and a poor one is separated from his friend. A witness of falsehoods will not be acquitted, and the one breathing out lies will not escape. Many will entreat the face of a noble, and everyone is the friend to a man of gift. All the brothers of a poor one hate him; surely also his friends are far from him! He pursues with words— they are nowhere. The one acquiring heart is loving his soul; the one guarding understanding will find good. A witness of falsehoods will not be acquitted, and the one breathing out lies will perish. Luxury is not fitting for a fool— even less for a slave to rule over princes. The discretion of a man makes long his nose, and his splendor is to pass over a transgression. The rage of a king is like the roaring of the young lion, and his favor is like dew on the grass. A foolish son is the ruin of his father, and the quarrels of a wife are a continual dripping. A house and wealth are the inheritance of fathers, and from YHWH is a wife who is prudent. Sluggishness causes a deep sleep to fall, and a soul of slackness will be hungry. One guarding a commandment is guarding his soul; one despising His ways will die. The one showing favor to the poor is lending to YHWH, and his dealing He will repay to him. Discipline your son, for there is hope, and do not lift up your soul toward putting him to death. One harsh of anger lifts up the penalty; indeed, if you deliver him, you will add yet again. Listen to counsel and receive discipline, so that you may be wise in your latter end. Many plans are in the heart of a man, and the counsel of YHWH, it will stand. The desire of a man is loving devotion, and one being poor is better than a man of lies. The fear of YHWH is to life, and satisfied he will abide; he will not be visited by evil. A lazy one hides his hand in the dish; even to his mouth he will not bring it back. Strike a mocker and a simple one acts prudently; and rebuke a discerning one—he will discern knowledge. One assaulting a father causes a mother to flee; he is a son causing shame and bringing reproach. Cease, my son, to hear instruction— you will stray from the words of knowledge. A witness of worthlessness scorns justice, and the mouth of wicked ones swallows iniquity. Judgments are prepared for the mockers, and beatings for the back of fools. Wine Is a Mocker Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and anyone led astray by it is not wise. The terror of a king is like the roaring of the young lion; the one making him angry is wronging his own soul.20.2 Or is forfeiting his life An honor to a man is cessation from strife, and every fool will quarrel. From autumn a lazy one will not will plow, and he begs in the harvest, and there is nothing. Counsel in the heart of man is deep waters, and a man of understanding will draw it out. Many a man proclaims, each man his loving devotion— and a man of faithfulness, who can find? A righteous one is walking about in his integrity; blessed are his sons after him. A king sitting on the throne of judgment is scattering all evil with his eyes. Who can say, “I have made clean my heart; I have been cleansed from my sin? A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah20.10 Or Unequal weights and unequal measures— the two of them alike are an abomination to YHWH. Even by his deeds a child is known, whether his action is pure and upright. The ear hearing, and the eye seeing— YHWH has made even both of them. You should not love sleep, lest you be dispossessed; open your eyes, be satisfied with bread. “Bad, bad,” says the one buying, and having gone away himself, then he boasts. There is gold and an abundance of rubies, and the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel. Take his garment when it has been pledged for a stranger, and hold it in pledge for a foreign woman.20.16 Or a wayward woman The bread of deceit is sweet to a man, and afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. Plans are established by counsel, and by guidance wage war. The one going about with slander uncovers a secret; and do not pledge yourself to the one opening his lips.20.19 Or to the one who babbles with his lips One belittling his father or his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the pupil of darkness. An inheritance gained unjustly at first, even its latter end will not be blessed. You should not say, “I will repay evil.” Wait for YHWH, and He will save you. An abomination to YHWH are a stone and a stone, and scales of deceit are not good. From YHWH are the steps of man; and how can a man understand his way? It is a snare for a man to rashly declare “It is holy” and afterward to reconsider his vows. Wise is a king scattering the wicked— he even turns the wheel over them. The spirit20.27 Or breath or speech of a man is the lamp of YHWH, searching all the chambers of the belly. Loving devotion and faithfulness guard a king, and his throne is supported by loving devotion. The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men, grey hair. Stripes that wound scour evil, and beatings, the chambers of the belly. The King’s Heart (Psalm 21:1–13) Channels of water is the heart of a king in the hand of YHWH; upon all that He wishes, He stretches it out. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, and YHWH is measuring hearts. To do righteousness and justice is chosen of YHWH above sacrifice. Loftiness of eyes and broadness of heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin. The plans of the diligent are surely to abundance, and everyone hurrying about, surely to poverty. Working for treasures by a tongue of deception is a vapor driven away of those seeking death. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do justice. The way of a guilty man is crooked, and for a pure one, his work is straight. Better to sit on the corner of a roof, than with a woman of quarrels and a house of company. The soul of a wicked one desires evil; his neighbor shall not find favor in his eyes. By fining a mocker, a simple one is made wise; and in giving understanding to a wise one, he receives knowledge. The Righteous One21.12 Or The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for wickedness. One shutting his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, and will not be answered. A gift in secret subdues anger, and a bribe in the bosom,21.14 Or a covert bribe strong rage. A joy for the righteous is doing justice, and a terror for the workers of iniquity. A man wandering from the way of understanding will come to rest in the assembly of Rephaim. The one loving pleasure is a man of need, the one loving wine and oil will not become rich. A wicked one is a ransom for a righteous one, and the one acting treacherously for upright ones. Better to dwell in a land of wilderness than with a woman of quarrels and provocation. Treasure to be desired and oil are in the dwelling of a wise one, and a foolish man swallows it up. One pursuing righteousness and loving devotion will find life, righteousness, and honor. A wise one ascends a city of mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold of its confidence. The one guarding his mouth and his tongue is guarding his soul from distress. The arrogant and haughty one—Mocker is his name— he is acting in the outpouring of pride. The desire of the lazy one brings him death, for his hands refuse to work. All the day he has desired his desire and the righteous one gives and does not withhold. The sacrifice of wicked ones is an abomination— how much more when he brings it in wickedness! A witness of falsehood will perish, and the man being attentive will speak forever. A wicked man strengthens his face,21.29 Or puts up a bold front and an upright one—he establishes his way. There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against YHWH. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, and the victory is of YHWH. A Good Name A name to be chosen is greater than wealth; favor is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor meet together; the maker of them all is YHWH. A prudent one sees evil and hides himself, and the simple ones pass on and they are fined. The result of humility and the fear of YHWH, is wealth and honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; one guarding his soul will be far from them. Train up a child according to the mouth of his way, and when he grows old, he will not turn aside from it. A rich one rules over the poor, and one borrowing is a servant to the man lending. The one sowing injustice will reap trouble, and the rod of his anger will come to an end. 22.8 LXX includes God blesses a cheerful and generous man, but foolish works will come to an end; see also 2 Corinthians 9:7. The one good of eye—he will be blessed, for he gives from his bread to the lowly one. 22.9 Or The generouse one Drive out the one mocking, and quarreling will go out, and strife and shame will cease. One loving a pure heart, with favor on his lips, the king is his friend. The eyes of YHWH guard knowledge, and He twists the words of a treacherous one. A lazy one says, “A lion is outside! In the midst of the open areas I will be killed!” The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; the abhorred of YHWH will fall there. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him. The one oppressing the poor, to increase for himself, giving to a rich one, surely is unto poverty. Thirty Sayings of the Wise Saying 1 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise ones, and set your heart to my knowledge; for it is pleasant when you guard them in your belly; they are established together upon your lips. For your trust to be in YHWH, I have caused you to know this day—even you. Have I not written to you thirty sayings22.20 Or written for you excellent sayings or written for you three times of counsels and knowledge, to make you know the truth of the words of faithfulness, to return words of faithfulness to those sending you? Saying 2 You must not rob a poor one because he is poor, and do not oppress an afflicted one at the gate. For YHWH will fight their fight, and will rob the soul of those robbing them. Saying 3 Do not make friends with an owner of anger, and with a man of rage do not go in, lest you learn his ways and receive a snare for your soul. Saying 4 Do not be among those striking hands in the pledging for loans. If there is nothing unto you to repay, why should he take your bed from under you? Saying 5 Do not remove a boundary of old, which your fathers have made. Saying 6 Do you see a man quick in his work? Before the face of kings he will stand; he will not stand before the face of obscure ones. True Riches (1 Timothy 6:17–19; James 5:1–6) Saying 7 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, discern carefully what is before your face,23.1 Or who is before your face and put a knife to your throat if you are an owner of an appetite. You should not mark out his delicacies, for it is bread of lies. Saying 8 Do not toil to become rich, cease from your own understanding. Will you make your eyes fly onto it, and it is not there? For it certainly makes for itself wings like an eagle and flies away to the heavens! Saying 9 Do not eat the bread of one evil of eye, and do not mark out his delicacies. 23.6 Or of one who is stingy For like one who calculates in his soul, so is he— “Eat and drink,” he says to you, and his heart is not with you. Your morsel that you have eaten, you will vomit it up, and you will ruin your pleasant words! Saying 10 Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. Saying 11 Do not remove a boundary of old, and do not enter into the fields of the fatherless. For their Redeemer is strong— He will contend their dispute against you. Saying 12 You must bring your heart to discipline, and your ears to the words of knowledge. Saying 13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You strike him with the rod, and you will deliver his soul from Sheol. Saying 14 My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will be glad—even I. And my kidneys will exult at the speaking of uprightness by your lips. Saying 15 Do not let your heart be jealous of the sinners, but rather in the fear of YHWH all the day. For surely there is a posterity, and your hope will not be cut off. Saying 16 Listen you, my son, and be wise, and let your heart walk straight in the way. Not Be among those getting drunk on wine, among those being gluttons of flesh to themelves. For the drunkard and the glutton will be dispossessed, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags. Saying 17 Listen to your father, this one begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Acquire truth and do not sell it— wisdom, and discipline, and discernment. The father of a righteous one will greatly rejoice, and the one begetting a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let she who bore you rejoice. Saying 18 My son, give your heart to me, and let your eyes delight in my ways. For a prostitute is a deep pit, and a strange woman is a narrow well. 23.27 Or a foreign woman or an adultress She also, like a robber, lies in wait, and she increases the treacherous ones among men. Saying 19 To whom is woe? To whom is sorrow? To whom are quarrels? To whom is complaining? To whom are wounds without cause? To whom is dullness of eyes? To those lingering over the wine, to those going in search of mixed drink! Do not look at the wine when it is red, when it gives forth its eye in the cup— it goes down with smoothness! Its end is like a serpent—it bites, and like a viper it stings. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will speak perverse things. And you will become like one lying down in the heart of the sea, and like one lying down on the top of a mast: “They struck me; I did not become weak. They beat me; I did not know it. When I awake, I will add to seek it again?” Do Not Envy Saying 20 Do not be envious of men of evil, and do not desire to be with them, for their heart devises violence and their lips speak trouble. Saying 21 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established, and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious pleasant wealth. Saying 22 A man of wisdom is strong;24.5 LXX The wise are mightier than the strong and a man of knowledge strengthens power; for by wise counsel you can fashion for yourself the battle, and victory is in a multitude counselors. Saying 23 Wisdom is high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth. Saying 24 One planning to do evil, they will call him an owner of schemes. The plotting of foolishness is sin, and an abomination to man is onemocking. Saying 25 If you slacken in the day of distress, then narrow is your strength. Deliver those being led away to death, and those stumbling to the slaughter, if only you would hold back. If you say, “Behold we did not know this,” does not the One weighing hearts Himself know it, and the One watching over your soul Himself know it? And He has rendered to each man according to his work. Saying 26 Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet upon your palate. Know that wisdom is thus to your soul; if you have found it, then there is a posterity, and your hope will not be cut off. Saying 27 Do not lie in wait like a wicked one against the abode of the righteous; do not spoil his resting place; for seven times the righteous may fall and rise up, and the wicked shall stumble into evil. Saying 28 At the falling of your enemy, you should not be glad, and in his stumbling do not let your heart rejoice, lest YHWH should see and it be evil in His eyes, and He turns away His anger from him. Saying 29 You must not fret at the evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked, for there is no posterity for an evil one, and the lamp of the wicked ones will be extinguished. Saying 30 Fear YHWH, my son, and the king; do not pledge yourself with ones who change, for suddenly their downfall will arise, and the ruin of them both—who knows? Further Sayings of the Wise These also are of the wise ones: The recognizing of faces in giving judgment is not good. One saying to a wicked one, “You are righteous”— peoples will curse him; nations will denounce him; and to those reproving it will be pleasant, and upon them will come a blessing of goodness. The lips he kisses—the one returning straightforward words. Prepare your work in the outdoors, and make it ready in the field for yourself; and afterward you may build your house. You must not be a witness without cause against your neighbor or deceive with your lips. Do not say, “According to what he has done to me, so I will do to him; I will return to the man according to his deed.” Near the field of a lazy man I passed by, and near the vineyard of a man lacking heart. And behold, thorns had come up all over it; its face was covered with nettles, and the wall of its stones was torn down. And I saw—I—I set my heart; I have seen, I have received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little a folding of the hands to rest, and your poverty has come as one traveling, and your needs like a man of shield. More Proverbs of Solomon These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied down: The glory of God is to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings is to search out a matter. The heavens for height and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings cannot be searched. Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel will come forth for the refiner. Remove the wicked before the face of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. You should not exalt yourself before the face of the king, and in the place of the great ones you should not stand. For better that he says to you “Come up here!” Than to set you low before a noble. That which your eyes have seen, 25.7 Or Whom you should not go out to dispute hastily, for what will you do in the end when your neighbor has put you to shame? Dispute your cause with your neighbor, and do not uncover the secret to another, lest the one hearing it should bring shame to you, and your defamation shall not turn back. Apples of gold in figures of silver, is a word spoken at its right time. A ring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise one giving rebuke to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in time of harvest, is a faithful messenger to those sending him, and he restores the soul of his lords. Clouds and wind and no rain, is a man boasting in gifts of deception. With slowness of anger a ruler may be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. You have found honey, eat your sufficiency, lest you be filled up with it and vomit it out. Make rare your foot from the house of your neighbor, lest he have his fill of you and hate you. A club or a sharpened sword, or an arrow, is a man answering against his neighbor a testimony of falsehood. A tooth broken or a foot tottering is trust in one acting treacherously in a day of distress. One taking away a garment in a day of cold, or vinegar on soda,25.20 Or on a wound is one singing with songs to a heart of misery. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, For in so doing you will be heaping burning coals upon his head, and YHWH will give recompense to you. 25.22 LXX; Hebrew for you will heap burning coals on his head; cited in Romans 12:20 A north wind twists out rain, and a secret tongue brings faces of indignanation. Better to sit on the corner of roof, than with a wife of quarrels and a house of company. Cold water over a weary soul, is good news from a land far away. A spring made foul or a well spoiled is a righteous one swaying before the face of a wicked one. To eat much honey is not good, nor the searching for his own honor. A city breached, without a wall, is a man who is without restraint to his spirit. Similitudes and Instructions Like the snow in the summer, and like the rain in the harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. Like the sparrow in fluttering, like the swallow in flying, so a curse without cause does not come. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools! Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be likened to him—even you. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his eyes. Cutting off feet, drinking violence, is sending a message by the hand of fool. Legs hanging limp from lameness is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Binding up a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool. A thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. An archer piercing anything, so is hiring a fool or hiring those passing by. Like a dog returning to its vomit is a fool repeating his folly. 26.11 Cited in 2 Peter 2:22 Do you see a man wise in his eyes? Hope is for a fool more than him. A lazy one says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion is in the broad places!” The door that turns about on its hinges, so is a lazy one upon his bed. A lazy one hides his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. Wiser is a lazy one in his eyes, than seven returning a reason. One grabbing hold on the ears of a dog passing by, is a passerby in a quarrel not unto him. Like a madman shooting firebrands arrows, and death, so is the man who has deceived his neighbor, and he says, “Am I not playing?” With the end of the wood, the fire is quenched, and without one whispering, strife quiets down. Charcoal to burning coals, and wood to a fire, so is a man of quarrels to kindle strife. The words of one whispering are like morsels being swallowed, they even go down to the chambers of the belly. Silver of dross laid over an earthen vessel are burning26.23 Hebrew; LXX smooth lips and a heart of evil. With his lips the one hating disguises it, and within himself he places deceit. When his voice is favorable, you should not trust in him, for seven abominations are in his heart. Hatred is concealed by deceit; his wickedness will be uncovered in the assembly. The one digging a pit, he will fall into it; and the one rolling a stone, to him it will return. A tongue of deceit hates its oppressed ones, and a smooth mouth causes ruin. Do Not Boast about Tomorrow (James 4:13–17) Do not boast about tomorrow for, you do not know what a day will bring forth. Let a stranger praise you, and not your own mouth— a foreigner, and not your own lips. The heaviness of a stone and the weight of the sand— and the anger of a fool is heavier than both of them. The cruelty of rage and the flood of a nostril— and who can stand before the face of jealousy? Better is an uncovered rebuke than love hidden. Faithful are the wounds of one who loves, and abundant are the kisses of one hating. A soul satiated would trample a honeycomb, and to a hungry soul, everything bitter is sweet. Like a bird wandering from her nest, so is a man wandering from his place. Oil and incense gladden the heart, and the sweetness of one’s friend is from the counsel of the soul. Do not forsake your friend, and the friend of your father, and do not enter the house of your brother in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Be wise, my son, and gladden my heart, that I may return a word to the one reproaching me. A prudent one sees evil coming; he hides himself; simple ones pass along, and they are punished. Take his garment when a stranger posts security, and hold it in pledge for a foreign woman.27.13 Or a wayward woman or an adultress The one blessing his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse for him. A continual dripping in a day of rain, and a woman of quarrels are alike— hiding her is hiding the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand. Iron is sharpened by iron, and a man sharpens the face of his friend. One keeping watch over a fig tree will eat its fruit, and the one guarding his master will be honored. As in the water the face is to the face, so the heart of the man is to the man. Sheol and Abaddon27.20 Or Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and the eyes of the man are never satisfied. A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, so is a man by the mouth of one who praises him. Though you may pound a fool in the mortar, in the midst of the grain with the pestle, his folly will not turn away from him. Be sure to know the faces of your flock, and set your heart to your herds, for riches are not forever, nor is a diadem for all generations. The hay is uncovered, and the tender grass is visible, and the herbs of the mountains are gathered. The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats the price of field, and enough milk of goats is for your foor, for the food of your house and the life of your maidservants. The Boldness of the Righteous The wicked flee and no one is pursuing, and the righteous are confident as a young lion. In the transgression of the land, many are its princes; and with one man understanding and knowing, so it will last long. A man being poor and oppressing the lowly ones is like a rain beating down and there is no bread. Those abandoning instruction praise a wicked one, and those guarding instruction contend with them. Men of evil do not understand justice, and those seeking YHWH understand all. Better one being poor walking in his integrity, than one crooked in his ways, and he is rich. One watching over the law is a discerning son, and one associating with gluttons disgraces his father. The one multiplying his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for one showing favor to lowly ones. One turning aside his ear from hearing instruction, even his prayer is an abomination. One causing the upright to stray onto a path of evil, into his pit he himself will fall, and the blameless ones will inherit good things. A rich man is wise in his own eyes, and a poor one being discerning will search him out. In the rejoicing of the righteous is great beauty, and in the rising up of wicked ones, a man hides himself. One covering his transgressions will not prosper, and one confessing and forsaking them will find mercy. Blessed is the man being reverent continually, and the one hardening his heart will fall into distress. A roaring lion and a rushing bear, is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A leader lacking in understanding is also abundant of oppressions; one hating dishonest gain prolongs days. A man pressed down by the bloodshed of a soul will flee into the Pit,28.17 Or will be a fugitive until death with none grabbing hold of him. One walking blamelessly will be saved, and one crooked in his ways will fall at once. The one working his land will be filled with bread, and the one pursuing empty things will be filled with poverty. A man of faithfulness has an abundance of blessings, and the one hurrying to be rich will not be acquitted. To regard faces is not good, and over a morsel of bread a strong man will transgress. A man of an evil eye is panicked for wealth, and he does not know that poverty will come upon him. 28.22 Or A stingy man The one rebuking a man, afterward he will find favor more than one being smooth of tongue. One robbing his father or his mother and saying, “There is no transgression,” he is a companion to the man bringing ruin. Being wide of appetite stirs up strife, and one trusting upon YHWH will be made fat. The one trusting in his heart, he is a fool, and the one walking in wisdom, he will be delivered. One giving to the poor will not lack, and one hiding his eyes has an abundance of curses. With the rising up of the wicked, a man hides himself, and with their perishing the righteous multiply. The Flourishing of the Righteous A man often reproved hardening the neck, suddenly will be broken, and there is no healing. With the increasing of the righteous ones, the people rejoice; and with the ruling of a wicked one, the people groan. A man loving wisdom gladdens his father, and a companion of prostitutes destroys wealth. A king by justice establishes the land, and a man of contributions29.4 Or a man who taxes heavily or a man who takes bribes tears it down. A man taking a portion over his neighbor spreads out a net over his steps. By transgression, a man of evil is snared, and a righteous one sings out and rejoices. A righteous one knows the cause of the poor; a wicked one does not does understand knowledge. Men of scorning inflame a city, and wise men turn back anger. A wise man enters into judgment with a foolish man, and he trembles and laughs, and there is no rest. Men of blood hate a blameless one, and upright ones seek his soul.29.10 Or upright ones care for his life A fool brings out all his spirit, and a wise one soothes it backward. One ruling listening to words of deception, all his ministers are wicked. The poor one and the man of oppression meet together: YHWH gives light to the eyes of both of them. A king judging the poor with truth, his throne will be established forever. A rod and rebuke give wisdom, and a child let away brings shame to his mother. With the increase of the wicked, transgression increases, and righteous ones will look on their fall. Discipline your son, and he will give you rest, and he will give delights to your soul. When there is no vision, the people are let loose, and the one keeping the Law is blessed. With words a servant will not be disciplined; for he understands, yet he will not respond. Look upon a man being hasty in his words— the hope of a fool is more than his. One is pampering his servant from youth, and his end will be insolence. A man of anger stirs up strife, and a man of rage, much transgression. The pride of man will bring him low, and the one lowly of spirit will grasp honor. One having a portion with a thief is hating his own soul; he hears the curse, and does not testify. The fear of man sets a snare, and one trusting in YHWH will be set on high. Many are seeking the favor of a ruler, and from YHWH is justice for a man. A man of injustice is an abomination to righteous ones, and the one upright in his way is an abomination to a wicked one. The Words of Agur The words of Agur son of Jakeh—the burden. An utterance of the strong man to Ithiel; to Ithiel and Ucal.30.1 Or declared to Ithiel: “I am weary, O God, and am consumed. (revocalizations) “Surely I am more brutish than man, and the understanding of man is not unto me. And I have not learned wisdom or known the knowledge of holy ones. Who has gone up to the heavens and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son? Surely you must know! Every word of God is refined; He is a shield for those taking refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. Two things I have asked of You— do not withhold them from me before I die: Put vanity and the word of a lie far away from me; do not give poverty or wealth to me; provide me the bread of my portion, lest I become satisfied and I deny and say, ‘Who is YHWH?’ And lest I become dispossessed and steal, and I seize the name of my God. Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you and you be found guilty. A generation lightly esteems its father, and does not bless its mother. A generation is pure in its own eyes and yet has not been washed from its filth. A generation—how high its eyes, and its eyelids are lifted up! A generation—its teeth are swords and its fangs are knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and needy ones from mankind. Unto the leech are two daughters— ‘Give, and Give. Three things are never satisfied, four never say, ‘Enough!’: Sheol, and the barren womb, earth not satisfied with water, and the fire never having said, ‘Enough!’ The eye that mocks at a father and despises obedience to a mother— the ravens of the valley will dig it out, and the young eagles will eat it. Three things, they are wonderful for me, and four, I cannot know them: The way of an eagle in the heavens, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a maiden. This is the way of a woman committing adultery: She eats and has wiped her mouth and has said, ‘I have not done wickedness.’ For three things the earth has trembled, and for four it is not able to bear up: Under a servant when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food, under a hated woman when she is married, and a maidservant when she dispossesses her mistress. Four things, they are small on the earth; they are wiser than wise: The ants are a people not strong, and they prepare their food in the summer; the rock badgers30.26 Or the coneys or the hyraxes are a people not strong, and they set their home in the cliffs; a king is not unto the locust, and go they forth in formation, all of them; the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, and it is in the palaces of king. Three things, they are doing well of step, even four are doing well in the walk: A lion, mighty among the beasts, and it does not turn back from the face of anything; one girded of loins, or a he-goat, and a king with his army around him.30.31 Or a king against whom there is no rising up If you have been foolish in lifting up yourself, and if you have schemed— hand to mouth! For as the churning of milk brings forth butter, and pressing of the nose brings forth blood, so the pressing of anger brings forth strife.” The Sayings for King Lemuel The words of Lemuel the king—the burden that his mother taught him: What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? Do not give your strength to the women, and your ways to wiping away kings. Not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers strong drink, lest they drink and forget the decree, and pervert the judgment of any of the sons of affliction. Give strong drink to the one perishing, and wine to those bitter of soul. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and not remember his trouble anymore. Open your mouth for a mute one, for the cause of all the sons of destitution. Open your mouth, judge with righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor one and needy one. The Virtues of a Noble Woman A wife31.10 Verses 10–31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. of worth, who can find her? And far above rubies is her value. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he is not lacking in spoil. She has done him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She has sought wool and flax, and she works it with the delight of her palms. She is like the ships of a merchant— from afar she brings in her bread. And she rises and it is still night, and she provides food for her house, even the portion assigned to her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her palms she plants a vineyard. She girds her loins with strength and strengthens her arms. She tastes that her profit is good; her lamp is not extinguished in the night. She stretched out her hands to the distaff, and her palms grasp the spindle. Her palm she spreads out to a poor one, and her hands she sends out to a needy one. She does not fear for her house because of snow, for all her house is clothed in scarlet.31.21 Or is doubly clothed Coverings she has made for herself; fine linen and purple are her clothing. Her husband is known in the gates, in his sitting with the elders of the land. Linen garments she has made and sold, and a girdle she gives to the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing, and she laughs at the day to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and instruction of kindness is on her tongue. She watches the goings of her house, and the bread of idleness she does not eat. Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband he praises her: “Many daughters have acted with worth, and you have gone up over them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty is vapor, and a woman fearing YHWH—she is to be praised. Give to her from the fruit of her hands, and let her own deeds praise her in the gates.