Book of Proverbs
What is wisdom?
After reading the Book of Proverbs, write down some phrases that touched my heart.
Book of Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs (Hebrew: מִשְלֵי, Mīšlē, “Proverbs of Solomon”) is a book in the third section (called Ketuvim) of the Hebrew Bible.
Book of Proverbs는 타나크(히브리어 성경)안에 들어 있으며, 기원전 1500~400년대 바빌로니아, 팔레스티나, 이집트 등의 지역에서 전해지던 이야기들이 기록된 경전들이 오랜 세월을 거쳐 한권의 책으로 만들어져 전해져 왔다.
또한 타나크는 아래의 4종교의 경전으로도 인정되어
- 유대교
- 카톨릭
- 기독교
- 이슬람교
학계에서는 중립적으로 히브리 성경이라는 단어를 사용하기도 한다.
Proverbs is not merely an anthology but a “collection of collections” relating to a pattern of life which lasted for more than a millennium.
Although most of this book identifies Solomon as its author, not all of it is attributed to him. This book itself also emphasizes that this book is a collection of proverbs of many people.
Phrases
Phrases that touched my heart, with NIV version.
Chpater 1
Purpose and Theme
- (7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
- (10) My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
Wisdom’s Rebuke
- (31-33)
- they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
- For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
Chpater 2
Moral Benefits of Wisdom
-
(1-5)
- My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you
- turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding
- indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
- and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
- then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
-
(7-9)
- He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
- for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
- Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path.
Chpater 3
Wisdom Bestows Well-Being
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(9) Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
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(12) because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
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(21) My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
-
(25-26)
- Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
- for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
Chpater 4
Get Wisdom at Any Cost
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(7) The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
-
(12-13)
- When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
- Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
-
(16-17)
- For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
- They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
-
(23) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
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(26) Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Chpater 5
Warning Against Adultery
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(6) She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.
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(7) Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.
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(8) Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,
-
(18-19)
- May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
- A loving doe, a graceful deer may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
Chpater 6
Warnings Against Folly
-
(8) yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
-
(16-19) There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
- haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
- a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
- a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
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(26) For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.
-
(29) So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.
Chpater 7
Warning Against the Adulterous Woman
- (4) Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”
Chpater 8
Wisdom’s Call
-
(6-7)
- Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
- My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
-
(12-13)
- “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
- To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
-
(17-18)
- I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
- With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
-
(22-23)
- “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;
- I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
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(30-31)
- Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
- rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
-
(34-36)
- Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
- For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.
- But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.”
Chpater 9
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
-
(7-8)
- Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
- Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
-
(12) If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Chpater 10
Proverbs of Solomon
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(3) The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
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(8) The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
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(12-13)
- Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
- Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.
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(16-19)
- The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.
- Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
- Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.
- Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
-
(22) The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.
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(32) The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
Chpater 11
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(2) When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
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(10) When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
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(13) A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
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(16) A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
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(19) Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.
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(21) Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.
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(24-26)
- One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
- A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
- People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
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(28) Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
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(30) The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
Chpater 12
-
(9) Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
-
(12-14)
- he wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers, but the root of the righteous endures.
- Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
- From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.
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(16) Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
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(24-25)
- Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
- Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
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(28) In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.
Chpater 13
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(8) A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
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(16) All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.
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(25) The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Chpater 14
-
(3-4)
- A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.
- Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
-
(7-10)
- Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.
- The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
- Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
- Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.
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(13) Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.
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(15-16)
- The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.
- The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
-
(21-24)
- It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
- Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
- All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
- The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.
-
(26-27)
- Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.
- The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
-
(29-33)
- Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
- A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
- Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
- When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.
- Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.
Chpater 15
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(3) The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
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(9) The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
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(11) Death and Destruction lie open before the Lord, how much more do human hearts!
-
(15-16)
- All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
- Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
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(18) A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
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(20) A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
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(22-23)
- Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
- A person finds joy in giving an apt reply and how good is a timely word!
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(27-29)
- The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
- The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
- The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
-
(31-33)
- Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
- Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.
- Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.
Chpater 16
-
(2) All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.
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(3) Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
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(4) The Lord works out everything to its proper end even the wicked for a day of disaster.
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(5) The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
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(6) Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
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(7) When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
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(9-14)
- In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
- The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.
- Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
- Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
- Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
- A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
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(16) How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
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(19) Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
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(21-24)
- The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
- Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
- The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
- Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
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(28) A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
-
(32-33)
- Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
- The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Chpater 17
-
(2-3)
- A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
- The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
-
(5-7)
- Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.
- Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
- Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
-
(9-10)
- Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
- A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
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(13) Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.
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(15) Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent the Lord detests them both.
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(17) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
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(19) Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
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(23-24)
- The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.
- A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
-
(27-28)
- The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
- Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Chpater 18
-
(2) Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
-
(12-13)
- Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
- To answer before listening that is folly and shame.
-
(17) In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
Chpater 19
-
(4) Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
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(15) Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.
-
(20-21)
- Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
- Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Chpater 20
-
(21) An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.
-
(23) The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.
-
(28) Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.
Chpater 21
-
(2-3)
- A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
- To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
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(6) A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
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(8) The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
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(11) When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
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(13) Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
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(21) Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
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(27) The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable how much more so when brought with evil intent!
Chpater 22
-
(3-4)
- The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
- Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
-
(11-12)
- One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
- The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
- (24-25) Saying3
- Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,
- or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
Chpater 23
- (4-5) Saying8
- Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.
- Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Chpater 24
-
(14) Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
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(16) for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
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(17) Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
Chpater 25
More Proverbs of Solomon
-
(6-7)
- Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
- it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
-
(13) Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.
-
(15-17)
- Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
- If you find honey, eat just enough too much of it, and you will vomit.
- Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house too much of you, and they will hate you.
-
(20-22)
- Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
- If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
- In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
-
(26-28)
- Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
- It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
- Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
Chpater 26
-
(2) Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
-
(5) Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
-
(16-20)
- A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
- Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
- Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
- is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
- Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
-
(26-27)
- Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
- Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
Chpater 27
-
(1-2)
- Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
- Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.
-
(6) Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
-
(9-11)
- Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
- Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
- Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.
-
(20) Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.
Chpater 28
-
(1) The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
-
(4-6)
- Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.
- Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.
- Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse.
-
(8) Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.
-
(20) A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
-
(21) To show partiality is not good yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.
-
(23) Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
Chpater 29
-
(5) Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.
-
(15) A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
-
(19-20)
- Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond.
- Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
-
(23) Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
-
(25) Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Chpater 30
Agur, son of Jakeh
Saying of Agur
-
(8-9)
- Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
- Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
-
(15-16)
- “The leech has two daughters. ‘Give! Give!’ they cry. “There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
- the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’
Chpater 31
Sayings of King Lemuel, utterance his mother taught him.
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(8) Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
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(15) She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
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(30) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
