Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Usefulness of Proverbs

1 The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;

To discernandcomprehend the words of understandingandinsight,

3 To receive instruction in wise behaviorandthe discipline of wise thoughtfulness,

Righteousness, justice, and integrity;

4 That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naiveorinexperienced [who are easily misled],

And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth,

5 The wise will hear and increase their learning,

And the person of understanding will acquire wise counselandthe skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth],

6 To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech]oran enigma with its interpretation,

And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection].

7 The [reverent] fear of the Lord[that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginningandthe preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];

But arrogantfools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instructionandself-discipline.

The Enticement of Sinners

8 My son, hear the instruction of your father,

And do not reject the teaching of your mother.

9 For they are a garland of grace on your head,

And chainsandornaments [of gold] around your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you,

Do not consent.

11 If they say, “Come with us;

Let us lie in wait toshedblood,

Let us ambush the innocent without cause;

12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol (the place of the dead),

Even whole, as those who go down to the pit [of death];

13 We will findandtake all kinds of precious possessions,

We will fill our houses with spoil;

14 Throw in your lot with us [they insist];

We will all have one money bag [in common],”

15 My son, do not walk on the road with them;

Keep your foot [far] away from their path,

16 For their feet run to evil,

And they hurry to shed blood.

17 Indeed, it is useless to spread thebaitednet

In the sight of any bird;

18 But [when these people set a trap for others] they lie in wait for their own blood;

They set an ambush for their own lives [and rush to their destruction].

19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;

Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.

Wisdom Warns

20 Wisdom shouts in the street,

She raises her voice in the markets;

21 She calls out at the head of the noisy streets [where large crowds gather];

At the entrance of the city gates she speaks her words:

22 “How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-mindedandundiscerning?

How longwill scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing,

How longwill fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?

23 “If you will turnandpay attention to my rebuke,

Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you;

I will make my words known to you.

24 “Because I called and you refused [to answer],

I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer];

25 And you treated all my counsel as nothing

And would not accept my reprimand,

26 I also will laugh at your disaster;

I will mock when your dreadandpanic come,

27 When your dreadandpanic come like a storm,

And your disaster comes like a whirlwind,

When anxiety and distress come upon you [as retribution].

28 “Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer;

They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me,

29 Because they hated knowledge

And did not choose the fear of the Lord[that is, obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect],

30 They would not accept my counsel,

And they spurned all my rebuke.

31 “Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own [wicked] way

And be satiated with [the penalty of] their own devices.

32 “For the turning away of thenaive will kill them,

And the careless ease of [self-righteous] fools will destroy them.

33 “But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securelyandin confident trust

And will be at ease, without fearordread of evil.”

The Pursuit of Wisdom Brings Security

1 My son, if you will receive my words

And treasure my commandments within you,

2 So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];

3 Yes, if you cry out for insight,

And lift up your voice for understanding;

4 If you seek skillfulandgodly wisdom as you would silver

And search for her as you would hidden treasures;

5 Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord[that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome]

And discover the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lordgives [skillful and godly] wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him];

He isa shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],

8 He guards the paths of justice;

And He preserves the way of His saints (believers).

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice [in every circumstance]

And integrity and every good path.

10 For [skillful and godly] wisdom will enter your heart

And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Discretion will watch over you,

Understandinganddiscernment will guard you,

12 To keep you from the way of evilandthe evil man,

From the man who speaks perverse things;

13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness

To walk in the ways of darkness;

14 Who find joy in doing evil

And delight in the perversity of evil,

15 Whose paths are crooked,

And who are devious in their ways;

16 To keep you from the immoral woman;

From the seductress with her flattering words,

17 Who leaves the companion (husband) of her youth,

And forgets the covenant of her God.

18 For her house leads down to death

And her paths lead to the dead;

19 None who go to her return again,

Nor do they regain the paths of life–

20 So you will walk in the way of good men [that is, those of personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character],

And keep to the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright [those who are in right standing with God] will live in the land

And those [of integrity] who are blameless [in God’s sight] will remain in it;

22 But the wicked will be cut off from the land

And the treacherous shall be [forcibly] uprootedandremoved from it.

The Rewards of Wisdom

1 My son, do not forget myteaching,

But let your heart keep my commandments;

2 For length of days and years of life [worth living]

And tranquilityandprosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you.

3 Do not let mercyandkindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you];

Bind them [securely] around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So find favor and high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust inandrely confidently on the Lordwith all your heart

And do not rely on your own insightorunderstanding.

6 In all your ways knowandacknowledgeandrecognize Him,

And He will make your paths straightandsmooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord[with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.

8 It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles–all your inner parts]

And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.

9 Honor the Lordwith your wealth

And with the first fruits of all your crops (income);

10 Then your barns will be abundantly filled

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not rejectortake lightly the discipline of the Lord[learn from your mistakes and the testing that comes from His correction through discipline];

Nor despise His rebuke,

12 For those whom the Lordloves He corrects,

Even as a fathercorrectsthe son in whom he delights.

13 Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom,

And the man who gains understandingandinsight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],

14 For wisdom’s profit is better than the profit of silver,

And her gain is better than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies;

And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].

16 Long life is in her right hand;

In her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are highways of pleasantnessandfavor,

And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,

And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.

19 The Lordby His wisdom has founded the earth;

By His understanding He has established the heavens.

20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up

And the clouds drip with dew.

21 My son, let them not escape from your sight,

But keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 And they will be life to your soul (your inner self)

And a gracious adornment to your neck (your outer self).

23 Then you will walk on your way [of life] securely

And your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear

Nor of the storm of the wicked when it comes [since you will be blameless];

26 For the Lordwill be your confidence, firmandstrong,

And will keep your foot from being caught [in a trap].

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients],

When it is in your power to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,

And tomorrow I will give it,”

When you have it with you.

29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,

Who lives securely beside you.

30 Do not quarrel with a man without cause,

If he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy a man of violence

And do not choose any of his ways.

32 For the devious are repulsive to the Lord;

But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].

33 The curse of the Lordis on the house of the wicked,

But He blesses the home of the justandrighteous.

34 Though He scoffs at the scoffersandscorns the scorners,

Yet He gives His grace [His undeserved favor] to the humble [those who give up self-importance].

35 The wise will inherit honorandglory,

But dishonorandshame is conferred on fools.

A Father’s Instruction

1 Hear, O children, the instruction of a father,

And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understandingandintelligent discernment.

2 For I give you good doctrine;

Do notturn away from my instruction.

3 When I was a son with my father (David),

Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba),

4 He taught me and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

Keep my commandments and live.

5 “Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]!

Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 “Do notturn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guardandprotect you;

Love her, and she will watch over you.

7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!

And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].

8 “Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you;

She will honor you if you embrace her.

9 “She will place on your head a garland of grace;

She will present you with a crown of beautyandglory.”

10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings,

And the years of your life will be many.

11 I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom;

I have led you in upright paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded [for your path will be clear and open];

And when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go.

Guard her, for she is your life.

14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,

And do not go the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;

Turn away from it and pass on.

16 For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil;

And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumbleandfall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness

And drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn,

That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness;

They do not know over what they stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to my wordsandbe willing to learn;

Open your ears to my sayings.

21 Do not let them escape from your sight;

Keep them in the center of your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them,

And healingandhealth to all their flesh.

23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For from itflowthe springs of life.

24 Put away from you a deceitful (lying, misleading) mouth,

And put devious lips far from you.

25 Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage]

And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity].

26 Consider wellandwatch carefully the path of your feet,

And all your ways will be steadfastandsure.

27 Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk];

Turn your foot from [the path of] evil.

Pitfalls of Immorality

1 My son, be attentive to my wisdom [godly wisdom learned by costly experience],

Incline your ear to my understanding;

2 That you may exercise discriminationanddiscretion (good judgment),

And your lips may reserve knowledgeandanswer wisely [to temptation].

3 For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey [like a honeycomb]

And her speech is smoother than oil;

4 But in the end she is bitter like [the extract of] wormwood,

Sharp as a two-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death;

Her steps take hold of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead),

6 So that she does not think [seriously] about the path of life;

Her ways are aimlessandunstable; you cannot know where her path leads.

7 Now then, my sons, listen to me

And do not depart from (forget) the words of my mouth.

8 Let your way [in life] be far from her,

And do not go near the door of her house [avoid even being near the places of temptation],

9 Or you will give your honor to others,

And your years to the cruel one,

10 And strangers will be filled with your strength

And your hard-earned wealth will go to the house of a foreigner [who does not know God];

11 And you will groan when yourlife isending,

When your flesh and your body are consumed;

12 And you say, “How I hated instructionanddiscipline,

And my heart despised correctionandreproof!

13 “I have not listened to the voice of my teachers,

Nor have I inclined my ear to those who instructed me.

14 “I was almost in total ruin

In the midst of the assembly and congregation.”

15 Drink water from your owncistern [of a pure marriage relationship]

And fresh running water from your own well.

16 Should yoursprings (children) be dispersed,

As streams of water in the streets?

17 [Confine yourself to your own wife.] Letyour childrenbe yours alone,

And notthe childrenof strangers with you.

18 Let your fountain (wife) be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity],

And rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19 Let her be asa loving hind and graceful doe,

Let her breasts refreshandsatisfy you at all times;

Always beexhilaratedanddelight in her love.

20 Why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an immoral woman

And embrace the bosom of an outsider (pagan)?

21 For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord,

And He carefully watches all of his paths [all of his comings and goings].

22 The iniquities done by a wicked man will trap him,

And he will be held with the cords of his sin.

23 He will die for lack of instruction (discipline),

And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astrayandbe lost.

Parental Counsel

1 My son, if you have become surety (guaranteed a debt or obligation) for your neighbor,

If you have given your pledge for [the debt of] a strangeroranother [outside your family],

2 If you have been snared with the words of your lips,

If you have been trapped by the speech of your mouth,

3 Do this now, my son, and release yourself [from the obligation];

Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,

Go humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor [to pay his debt and release you].

4 Give no [unnecessary] sleep to your eyes,

Nor slumber to your eyelids;

5 Tear yourself away like a gazelle from the hand ofthe hunter

And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Go to the ant, O lazy one;

Observe her ways and be wise,

7 Which, having no chief,

Overseer or ruler,

8 She prepares her food in the summer

And brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.

9 How long will you lie down, O lazy one?

When will you arise from your sleep [and learn self-discipline]?

10 “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to lie downandrest”–

11 So your poverty will come like anapproachingprowler who walks [slowly, but surely]

And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].

12 A worthless person, a wicked man,

Is one who walks with a perverse (corrupt, vulgar) mouth.

13 Who winks with his eyes [in mockery], who shuffles his feet [to signal],

Who points with his fingers [to give subversive instruction];

14 Who perversely in his heart plots troubleandevil continually;

Who spreads discordandstrife.

15 Therefore [the crushing weight of] his disaster will come suddenlyupon him;

Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healingorremedy [because he has no heart for God].

16 These six things the Lordhates;

Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:

17 A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that creates wicked plans,

Feet that run swiftly to evil,

19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],

And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.

20 My son, be guided by your father’s [God-given] commandment (instruction)

And do notreject the teaching of your mother;

21 Bind them continually upon your heart (in your thoughts),

And tie them around your neck.

22 When you walk about, they (the godly teachings of your parents) will guide you;

When you sleep, they will keep watch over you;

And when you awake, they will talk to you.

23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light,

And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life,

24 To keep you from the evil woman,

From [the flattery of] the smooth tongue of an immoral woman.

25 Do not desire (lust after) her beauty in your heart,

Nor let her capture you with her eyelashes.

26 For on account of a prostitute one is reduced to a piece of bread [to be eaten up],

And the immoral woman hunts [with a hook] the precious life [of a man].

27 Can a man take fire to his chest

And his clothes not be burned?

28 Or can a man walk on hot coals

And his feet not be scorched?

29 So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;

Whoever touches her will not be found innocentorgo unpunished.

30 People do not despise a thief if he steals

To satisfy himself when he is hungry;

31 But when he is found, he must repay seven times [what he stole];

He must give all the property of his house [if necessary to meet his fine].

32 But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks common senseandsound judgmentandan understanding [of moral principles];

He who would destroy his soul does it.

33 Wounds and disgrace he will find,

And his reproach (blame) will not be blotted out.

34 For jealousy enrages the [wronged] husband;

He will not spare [the guilty one] on the day of vengeance.

35 He will not accept any ransom [offered to buy him off from demanding full punishment];

Nor will he be satisfied though you offer him many gifts (bribes).

The Wiles of the Prostitute

1 My son, keep my words

And treasure my commandments within you [so they are readily available to guide you].

2 Keep my commandments and live,

And keep my teachingandlaw as the apple of your eye.

3 Bind them [securely] on your fingers;

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to [skillful and godly] wisdom, “You are my sister,”

And regard understandingandintelligent insight as your intimate friends;

5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman,

From the foreigner [who does not observe God’s laws and] who flatters with her [smooth] words.

6 For at the window of my house

I looked out through my lattice.

7 And among the naive [the inexperienced and gullible],

I saw among the youths

A young man lacking [good] sense,

8 Passing through the street near her corner;

And he took the path to her house

9 In the twilight, in the evening;

In the black and dark night.

10 And there a woman met him,

Dressed as a prostitute and slyandcunning of heart.

11 She was boisterous and rebellious;

She would not stay at home.

12 At timesshe wasin the streets, at times in the market places,

Lurkingandsetting her ambush at every corner.

13 So she caught him and kissed him

And with a brazenandimpudent face she said to him:

14 “I have peace offerings with me;

Today I have paid my vows.

15 “So I came out to meet you [that you might share with me the feast of my offering],

Diligently I sought your face and I have found you.

16 “I have spread my couch with coveringsandcushions of tapestry,

With colored fine linen of Egypt.

17 “I have perfumed my bed

With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 “Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning;

Let us consoleanddelight ourselves with love.

19 “For my husband is not at home.

He has gone on a long journey;

20 He has taken a bag of money with him,

And he will come home on the appointed day.”

21 With her many persuasions she caused him to yield;

With her flattering lips she seduced him.

22 Suddenly he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter [not knowing the outcome],

Or as one in stocks going to the correction [to be given] to a fool,

23 Until an arrow pierced his liver [with a mortal wound];

Like a bird fluttering straight into the net,

He did not know that itwould costhim his life.

24 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,

And pay attention to the words of my mouth.

25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways,

Do not stray into her [evil, immoral] paths.

26 For she has cast down many [mortally] wounded;

Indeed, all who were killed by her were strong.

27 Her house is the way toSheol,

Descending to the chambers of death.

The Commendation of Wisdom

1 Does not wisdom call,

And understanding lift up her voice?

2 On the top of the heights beside the way,

Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand;

3 Beside the gates, at the entrance to the city,

At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

4 “To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is directed to the sons of men.

5 “O you naiveorinexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudenceandseek astute common sense;

And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].

6 “Listen, for I will speak excellentandnoble things;

And the opening of my lipswill revealright things.

7 “For my mouth will utter truth,

And wickedness is repulsiveandloathsome to my lips.

8 “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness (upright, in right standing with God);

There is nothing contrary to truth or perverted (crooked) in them.

9 “They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind],

And right to those who find knowledgeandlive by it.

10 “Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver,

And take knowledge rather than choicest gold,

11 “For wisdom is better than rubies;

And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

12 “I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense],

And I find knowledge and discretion.

13 “The [reverent] fearandworshipful awe of the Lordincludesthe hatred of evil;

Pride and arrogance and the evil way,

And the perverted mouth, I hate.

14 “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;

I am understanding, powerandstrength are mine.

15 “By me kings reign

And rulers decideanddecree justice.

16 “By me princes rule, and nobles,

All who judgeandgovern rightly.

17 “I love those who love me;

And those who seek me earlyanddiligently will find me.

18 “Riches and honor are with me,

Enduring wealth and righteousness (right standing with God).

19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold,

And my yield is better than choicest silver.

20 “I, [Wisdom, continuously] walk in the way of righteousness,

In the midst of the paths of justice,

21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealthandtrue riches,

And that I may fill their treasuries.

22 “The Lordcreatedandpossessed me at the beginning of His way,

Before His works of old [were accomplished].

23 “From everlasting I was establishedandordained,

From the beginning, before the earth existed, [I, godly wisdom, existed].

24 “When there were no ocean depths I was born,

When there were no fountainsandsprings overflowing with water.

25 “Before the mountains were settled,

Before the hills, I was born;

26 While He had not yet made the earth and the fields,

Or the first of the dust of the earth.

27 “When He established the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there;

When He drew a circle upon the face of the deep,

28 When He made firm the skies above,

When the fountains and springs of the deep became fixedandstrong,

29 When He set for the sea its boundary

So that the waters would not transgress [the boundaries set by] His command,

When He marked out the foundations of the earth–

30 Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman;

And I was daily His delight;

Rejoicing before Him always,

31 Rejoicing in the world, His inhabited earth,

And having my delight in the sons of men.

32 “Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,

For blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] are they who keep my ways.

33 “Heed (pay attention to) instruction and be wise,

And do not ignoreorneglect it.

34 “Blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] is the man who listens to me,

Watching daily at my gates,

Waiting at my doorposts.

35 “For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life

And obtains favorandgrace from the Lord.

36 “But he who fails to find meorsins against me injures himself;

All those who hate me loveandcourt death.”

Wisdom’s Invitation

1 Wisdom has built her [spacious and sufficient] house;

She has hewn outandset up her seven pillars.

2 She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;

She has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her maidens, she calls

From the highest places of the city:

4 “Whoever is naiveorinexperienced, let him turn in here!”

As for him who lacks understanding, she says,

5 “Come, eat my food

And drink the wine I have mixed [and accept my gifts].

6 “Leave [behind] your foolishness [and the foolish] and live,

And walk in the way of insightandunderstanding.”

7 He who correctsandinstructs a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,

And he who rebukes a wicked man gets insults for himself.

8 Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he will hate you;

Correct a wise man [who learns from his error], and he will love you.

9 Giveinstructionto a wise man and he will become even wiser;

Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

10 The [reverent] fear of the Lord[that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginningandthe preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence],

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understandingandspiritual insight.

11 For by me (wisdom from God) your days will be multiplied,

And years of life shall be increased.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself [for your own benefit];

If you scoff [thoughtlessly ridicule and disdain], you alone will pay the penalty.

13 The foolish woman is restlessandnoisy;

She is naiveandeasily misledandthoughtless, and knows nothing at all [of eternal value].

14 She sits at the doorway of her house,

On a seat by the highandconspicuous places of the city,

15 Calling to those who pass by,

Who are making their paths straight:

16 “Whoever is naiveorinexperienced, let him turn in here!”

And to him who lacks understanding (common sense), she says,

17 “Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden];

And breadeatenin secret is pleasant.”

18 But he does not know that the spirits of the dead are there,

And that her guests are [already] in the depths of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).

Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked

1 The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son makes a father glad,

But a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.

2 Treasures of wickednessandill-gotten gains do not profit,

But righteousnessandmoral integrity in daily life rescues from death.

3 The Lordwill not allow therighteous to hunger [God will meet all his needs],

But He will rejectandcast away the craving of the wicked.

4 Poor is he who works with a negligentandidle hand,

But the hand of the diligent makeshimrich.

5 He who gathers during summerandtakes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely,

Buthe who sleeps during harvestandignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.

6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God],

But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

7 Thememory of the righteous [person] is a [source of] blessing,

But the name of the wicked will [be forgotten and] rot [like a corpse].

8 The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will acceptandobey commands (instruction),

But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

9 He who walks in integrityandwith moral character walks securely,

But he who takes a crooked way will be discoveredandpunished.

10 He who [maliciously] winks the eye [of evil intent] causes trouble;

And the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of lifeandhis words of wisdom are a source of blessing,

But the mouth of the wicked conceals violenceandevil.

12 Hatred stirs up strife,

But love coversandoverwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults].

13 On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,

But disciplineandthe rod are for the back of the one who is without common senseandunderstanding.

14 Wise men store upandtreasure knowledge [in mind and heart],

But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

15 The rich man’s wealth is his fortress;

The ruin of the poor is their poverty.

16 The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life,

The income of the wicked, punishment.

17 He who learns from instructionandcorrection is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing],

But he who ignoresandrefuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin].

18 He who hides hatred has lying lips,

And he who spreads slander is a fool.

19 When there are many words, transgressionandoffense are unavoidable,

But he who controls his lipsandkeeps thoughtful silence is wise.

20 The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);

The heart of the wicked is worth little.

21 The lips of the righteous feedandguide many,

But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding.

22 The blessing of the Lordbrings [true] riches,

And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].

23 Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin],

But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdombrings joy.

24 What the wicked fears will come upon him,

But the desire of the righteous [for the blessings of God] will be granted.

25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,

But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

So is the lazy one to those who send himto work.

27 The [reverent] fear of the Lord[worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect] prolongs one’s life,

But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

28 The hope of the righteous [those of honorable character and integrity] is joy,

But the expectation of the wicked [those who oppose God and ignore His wisdom] comes to nothing.

29 The way of the Lordis a stronghold to the upright,

But it is ruin to those who do evil.

30 The [consistently] righteous will never be shaken,

But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.

31 The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,

But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know (speak) what is acceptable,

But the mouth of the wicked knows (speaks) what is perverted (twisted).