Proverbs 6:19-16:19

19a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Warning Against Adultery 20My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

21Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.

22When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.

23For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,

24keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.

25Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.

26For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.

27Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?

28Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?

29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

30People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.

31Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.

32But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.

33Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.

34For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. 35He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bribe, however great it is.

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman 1My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.

2Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

3Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”

5They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

6At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice.

7I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.

8He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house

9at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.

10Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

11(She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home;

12now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)

13She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:

14“Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.

15So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!

16I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.

17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

18Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!

19My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.

20He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.”

21With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.

22All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer Syriac (see also Septuagint); Hebrew fool stepping into a noose The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.

23till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

24Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.

25Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.

26Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. 27Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Wisdom’s Call 1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

2At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:

4“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.

5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds

6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

12“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.

13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;

16by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth. Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

19My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

22“The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, Or way; or dominion Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work before his deeds of old;

23I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water;

25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

26before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth.

27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30Then I was constantly Or was the artisan; or was a little child at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

32“Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD . 36But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly 1Wisdom has built her house; she has set up Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out its seven pillars.

2She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

3She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,

4“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,

5“Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.

6Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”

7Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.

9Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11For through wisdom Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

12If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.

14She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way,

16“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,

17“Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” 18But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

Proverbs of Solomon 1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

2Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.

3The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.

5He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

6Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence

7The name of the righteous is used in blessings, See Gen. 48:20. but the name of the wicked will rot.

8The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

10Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

13Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

14The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

15The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

16The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

17Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

18Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.

19Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.

20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.

22The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.

23A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

24What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted.

25When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

26As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.

27The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

29The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

30The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

31From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced. 32The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

1The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.

2When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

4Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

5The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

7Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from their power comes to nothing.

8The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.

9With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

10When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

12Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

13A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

14For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

15Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

16A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

19Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.

20The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

21Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.

22Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.

28Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

29Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. 31If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

2Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.

3No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

4A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

5The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm.

8A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.

9Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

12The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.

13Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.

14From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.

15The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

16Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

17An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.

18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.

21No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

23The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

24Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

25Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

26The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27The lazy do not roast The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt. 28In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

1A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

2From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

3Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

4A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

5The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.

6Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

8A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

10Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

11Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

13Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

15Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

16All who are prudent act with Or prudent protect themselves through knowledge, but fools expose their folly.

17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

18Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

19A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

20Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

21Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

22A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

23An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.

24Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them. 25The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

1The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

2Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

3A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

5An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.

6The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

8The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.

9Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.

10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

12There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.

14The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.

15The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.

16The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.

18The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

21It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

22Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find Or show love and faithfulness.

23All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.

26Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

28A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.

29Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

30A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

31Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

32When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

33Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

34Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. 35A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

5A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

6The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings ruin.

7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.

8The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

10Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.

11Death and Destruction Hebrew Abaddon lie open before the LORD — how much more do human hearts!

12Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.

13A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

15All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.

17Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

18A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

19The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.

20A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

23A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

24The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

25The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.

27The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.

28The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

31Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.

32Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. 33Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.

1To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.

2All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD .

3Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

4The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.

5The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

6Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided.

7When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

8Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

9In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

10The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.

11Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD ; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

12Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.

13Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.

14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.

15When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!

17The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.

18Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

19Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.