Proverbs: Sayings of the Wise

My son, if you heed my words,

And store my commands in your mind,

Pay close attention to wisdom,

And give careful heed to reason.

If you will but seek her as silver,

And search for her as for hid treasures,

You shall then understand true religion,

And gain a knowledge of God.

For wisdom shall enter your mind,

And knowledge shall be pleasant to you,

Discretion shall watch over you,

And understanding shall guard you,

To keep you from doing wrong,

From men whose words are evil,

Who leave the paths of right

To walk in ways that are dark,

Who rejoice in doing wrong,

And take pleasure in evil deeds.

Happy the man who finds wisdom,

And he who gains understanding.

In her right hand is long life,

In her left are riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways,

And all her paths are peaceful.

She gives life to those who seek her,

They are happy who hold her fast.

You shall then go on your way securely,

And your foot shall never stumble.

When you sit down, you shall not be afraid,

When you lie down, your sleep shall be sweet.

The eyes of the Lord are all-seeing,

Keeping watch on both wicked and good.

A man thinks all that he does is right,

But the Lord tests the motive.

A man plans the way in his mind,

But the Lord directs his steps.

The Lord detests a false balance,

But a just balance is his delight.

To do what is just and right

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

The conduct of the wicked is hateful to him,

But he loves the man eager to do right.

The Lord detests the evil-minded,

But is well pleased with him who lives uprightly.

The sacrifice of the wicked is hateful to the Lord,

But the prayer of the upright is a delight to him!

The Lord holds aloof from the wicked,

But hears the prayer of the upright.

Lying lips are hateful to the Lord,

But they who act honestly are his delight.

There are six things that the Lord hates,

Yes, seven are detestable to him:

Haughty eyes and a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood,

A mind that plans wicked schemes,

Feet that make haste to do evil,

A false witness who utters lies,

And he who sows strife between brothers.

The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,

But he blesses the home of him who does right.

Surely he scoffs at the scoffers,

But to the modest he ever shows favor.

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,

But he disappoints the desire of the wicked.

The Lord is a stronghold to him who lives rightly,

But he brings destruction to those who do wrong.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower,

To which the righteous runs and is safe.

Every word of God is true;

He is a shield to those who trust him.

Say not, "I will be revenged for a wrong";

Wait for the Lord, he will save you.

For the Lord gives wisdom,

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright,

He is a shield to those who live clean lives,

That he may guard the course of justice,

And protect the way of his faithful ones.

Reverence for the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

But the foolish despise wisdom and discipline.

Reverence comes through wise instruction,

And before honor goes modesty.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

Depend not on your own understanding;

In all you do make him your friend,

And he will direct your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes.

Revere the Lord, and avoid sin.

Then you will have health of body

And your bones will be refreshed.

Honor the Lord with your wealth,

With the best of all you receive,

Then your barns will be filled with grain,

And your vats overflow with wine.

A greedy man stirs up strife,

But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

Intrust what you do to the Lord,

Then your plans will succeed.

Many a man tells of his own kindness.

But a trustworthy man who can find?

A child is known by his acts,

Whether his work is pure and right.

Worry in a man's mind makes it sad,

But a kind word makes it happy.

A man's spirit upholds him in sickness,

But who can raise up a broken spirit?

A calm mind is the life of the body,

But jealousy rots the bones.

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,

But by inward sorrow the spirit is broken.

A joyful heart is good medicine,

But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

The lips of the wise speak knowledge,

But the fool does not understand.

A fool's way seems right in his sight,

But a wise man listens to advice.

A fool despises his father's correction,

But he who regards reproof acts wisely.

Listen to advice and receive instruction,

That you may be wise in your later life.

Advice in a man's mind is like deep water,

But a man of sense will draw it out.

Hold fast instruction, let it not go;

Keep it, for it is your life.

My son, reject not the discipline of the Lord,

And do not spurn his reproof,

For whom he loves he reproves,

Even as a father the son of whom he is fond.

He who rejects correction despises his own self,

But he who listens to reproof gains understanding.

My son, hear the instruction of your father,

And forsake not the teaching of your mother;

They shall be a crown of beauty for your head,

And a necklace about your neck.

Listen to your father who begat you,

And despise not your mother when she is old.

He who does what he is told is a wise son.

But he who makes friends of spendthrifts,

Brings disgrace on his father.

He who robs father or mother,

Saying, "There is no wrong in it,"

Is like him who is a destroyer.

He who curses his father or mother,

His lamp shall go out in the blackest of darkness.

A wise son makes a glad father,

But a foolish son despises his mother.

A foolish son is a grief to his father,

And brings bitterness to her who bore him.

Be wise, my son, and make glad my heart,

That I may answer the one who reproaches me.

Let your father be filled with joy,

And let her who bore you rejoice.

The lazy man says, "A lion is outside!

I shall be killed in the streets!"

As the door turns on its hinges,

So the lazy man turns on his bed.

He dips his hand in the dish,

But does not bring it to his mouth!

The lazy man is wiser in his own mind,

Than seven who can answer intelligently.

The way of the lazy is hedged in with thorns,

But the path of the diligent is a well-built highway.

I went by the field of the lazy man,

By the vineyard of him who lacked sense,

It was all overgrown with thorns,

Its surface was covered with nettles,

And its stone wall was broken down.

Then I beheld and reflected,

I saw and received instruction:

A little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to rest,

And your poverty comes as a robber,

And your want as a well-armed man.

Better is a poor man who lives uprightly

Than one who is dishonest, though he be rich.

Better is a little with righteousness

Than great abundance with injustice.

Better is a modest spirit with the humble,

Than to divide spoil with the proud.

A good name is better than great riches,

More highly valued than silver and gold.

He who trusts in riches shall fail,

But the upright flourish like a green leaf.

Toil not that you may become rich;

Cease through your own understanding.

Should you set your eyes upon it, it is gone!

For riches fly away,

Like an eagle that flies toward heaven.

Better is little with reverence for the Lord

Than great treasure and trouble as well.

Two things I ask of thee, O God,

Deny me them not ere I die:

Put far from me deceit and lying,

Give me neither poverty nor riches;

Provide me with the food that I need,

That I may not be filled to the full and deny thee,

And say, "Who is the Lord?"

Or else be poor and steal,

And disgrace the name of my God.

If you find honey, eat only what you need,

That you may not be too full and be ill.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink makes one quarrelsome,

And whoever is misled by it is not wise.

Who cries, "Woe"? who, "Alas"?

Who has quarrels? Who complains?

Who has wounds without cause?

Who has redness of eyes?

They who linger long over wine,

They who go in to taste mixed wine.

So look not on wine when it is red,

When it sparkles in the cup,

And glides down smoothly.

At last it bites like a snake,

And stings like an adder.

Then you will see strange things,

And your mind will be confused.

You will be like one sleeping at sea,

Like one asleep in a violent storm.

"I have been struck, but I feel no pain;

I have been beaten, but I know it not.

When shall I awake from my wine?

I will seek it yet again."

Do you see a man who speaks before he thinks?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

He who answers before he hears

Covers himself with confusion.

He who is sparing of words has knowledge,

And he who has a cool spirit is a man of sense.

Even a fool, if he keeps still, is considered wise;

Prudent, if he keeps his lips shut.

He who guards his mouth and tongue

Guards himself against trouble.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue;

They who are fond of using it must eat its fruit.

A man has joy from the utterance of his mouth,

And a word in season, how good it is!

A word fitly spoken

Is like golden fruit in silver settings.

Pleasant words are like honeycomb,

Sweet to the taste and healing to the body.

A mild answer turns away wrath,

But a harsh word stirs up anger.

A man without self-control

Is a ruined city whose wall is broken.

A fool gives way to his wrath,

But a wise man restrains his anger.

A fool's anger is known at once,

But a sensible man heeds not an insult.

A man's wisdom makes him patient,

It is his glory to overlook faults.

He who is patient is better than a warrior,

And he who rules his temper than he who takes a city.

Do not boast what you will do to-morrow,

For you know not what a day may bring forth.

Do you see a man wise in his own opinion?

There is more hope for a fool than for him!

Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

But with the modest is wisdom.

It is not good to eat much honey;

But to seek the glory of others is glorious.

Let another man praise you, not your own mouth;

Some other, and not your own lips.

He who returns evil for good,

From his house evil shall not depart.

It is an honor for a man to avoid strife;

Only a fool is quarrelsome.

Charcoal for embers, and wood for fire,

And a quarrelsome man to kindle strife!

Strive not with a man without cause,

If he has done you no harm.

The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water;

Therefore leave off strife before quarrelling begins.

Better a dry crust with quietness

Than a house full of feasting with strife.

A just man regards the life of his beast,

But the heart of the wicked is cruel.

He who oppresses the poor reviles his Maker,

But he who has pity on the needy honors him.

He who listens not to the cry of the poor,

He also shall call and not be answered.

He who pities the poor, lends to the Lord

And he will repay him for his good deed.

If your enemy hungers, give him food;

If he thirsts, give him water to drink;

For you will heap coals of fire on his head,

And the Lord will reward you.

Hatred stirs up strife,

But love overlooks faults.

Better a meal of herbs where love is,

Than a fatted ox with hate.

Let not love and truth leave you,

Bind them about your neck;

So you will enjoy favor and a good reputation

In the sight of God and man.