Amplified Bible (AMP)

On Life and Conduct

1 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;

He turns it whichever way He wishes.

2 Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,

But the Lordweighsandexamines the hearts [of people and their motives].

3 To do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the Lordthan sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed].

4 Haughtyandarrogant eyes and a proud heart,

The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God].

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundanceandadvantage,

But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.

6 Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue

Is a fleeting vapor, the seekingandpursuit of death.

7 The violence of the wicked will [return to them and] drag them away [like fish caught in a net],

Because they refuse to act with justice.

8 The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked,

But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather]

Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil [like an addictive substance];

His neighbor finds no compassion in his eyes.

11 When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise;

But when the wiseandteachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous one keeps an eye on the house of the wicked–

How the wicked are cast down to ruin.

13 Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor

Will cry out himself and not be answered.

14 A gift in secret subdues anger,

And a bribe [hidden] in the pocket, strong wrath.

15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God),

But to the evildoers it is disaster.

16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding (godly wisdom)

Will remain in the assembly of the dead.

17 He who loves [only selfish] pleasurewill becomea poor man;

He who lovesandis devoted towine and [olive] oil will not become rich.

18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,

And the treacherous in the place of the upright [for they fall into their own traps].

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land

Than with a contentious and troublesome woman.

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future],

But a short-sightedandfoolish man swallows it upandwastes it.

21 He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty

Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise man scales the city [walls] of the mighty

And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue

Guards himself from troubles.

24 “Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names

Who acts with overbearingandinsolent pride.

25 The desire of the lazy kills him,

For his hands refuse to labor;

26 He craves all the day long [and does no work],

But the righteous [willingly] gives and does not withhold [what he has].

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestableandoffensive [to the Lord].

How much more [unacceptable and insulting can it be] when he brings it with evil intention?

28 A false witness will perish,

But a man who listensto the truthwill speak foreverandgo unchallenged.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,

But as for the upright, he considers, directs,andestablishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].

30 There is no [human] wisdom or understanding

Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But deliveranceandvictory belong to the Lord.

On Life and Conduct

1 Agoodname [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches;

And favor is better than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor have a common bond;

The Lordis the Maker of them all.

3 A prudentandfar-sightedpersonsees the evil [of sin] and hides himself [from it],

But the naive continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].

4 The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord

Is riches, honor, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate [for their lack of honor and their wrong-doing traps them];

He who guards himself [with godly wisdom] will be far from themandavoid the consequences they suffer.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],

Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 The rich rules over the poor,

And the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He who sows injustice will reap [a harvest of] trouble,

And the rod of his wrath [with which he oppresses others] will fail.

9 He who is generous will be blessed,

For he gives some of his food to the poor.

10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go away;

Even strife and dishonor will cease.

11 He who loves purity of heart

And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.

12 The eyes of the Lordkeep guard over knowledgeandthe one who has it,

But He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

13 The lazy one [manufactures excuses and] says, “There is a lion outside!

I will be killed in the streets [if I go out to work]!”

14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit [deep and inescapable];

He who is cursed by the Lord[because of his adulterous sin] will fall into it.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;

The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.

16 He who oppressesorexploits the poor to get more for himself

Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.

17 Listen carefully and hear thewords of the wise,

And apply your mind to my knowledge;

18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them in mind [incorporating them as guiding principles];

Let them be ready on your lips [to guide and strengthen yourself and others].

19 So that your trustandrelianceandconfidence may be in the Lord,

I have taught these things to you today, even to you.

20 Have I not written to you excellent things

In counsels and knowledge,

21 To let you know the certainty of the words of truth,

That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you?

22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor [and defenseless],

Nor crush the afflicted [by legal proceedings] at the gate [where the city court is held],

23 For the Lordwill plead their case

And take the life of those who rob them.

24 Do not even associate with a man given to angry outbursts;

Or go [along] with a hot-tempered man,

25 Or you will learn his [undisciplined] ways

And get yourself trapped [in a situation from which it is hard to escape].

26 Do not be among those who give pledges [involving themselves in others’ finances],

Or among those who become guarantors forothers’debts.

27 If you have nothing with which to pay [another’s debt when he defaults],

Why should his creditor take your bed from under you?

28 Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property]

Which your fathers have set.

29 Do you see a man skillfulandexperienced in his work?

He will stand [in honor] before kings;

He will not stand before obscure men.

On Life and Conduct

1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,

Consider carefully what is [set] before you;

2 For you will put a knife to your throat

If you are a man ofgreatappetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,

For it is deceptive food [offered to you with questionable motives].

4 Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth;

Cease from your own understanding of it.

5 When you set your eyes on wealth, it is [suddenly] gone.

Forwealthcertainly makes itself wings

Like an eagle that flies to the heavens.

6 Do not eat the bread of a selfish man,

Or desire his delicacies;

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior–one who manipulates].

He says to you, “Eat and drink,”

Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].

8 The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up,

And you will waste your compliments.

9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool,

For he will despise the [godly] wisdom of your words.

10 Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property]

And do not go into the fields of the fatherless [to take what is theirs],

11 For their Redeemer is strongandmighty;

He will plead their case against you.

12 Apply your heart to discipline

And your ears to words of knowledge.

13 Do not withhold discipline from the child;

If youswat him with areed-likerod [applied with godly wisdom], he will not die.

14 You shallswat him with thereed-likerod

And rescue his life from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).

15 My son, if your heart is wise,

My heart will also be glad;

16 Yes, my heart will rejoice

When your lips speak right things.

17 Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation],

But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lordday by day.

18 Surely there is a future [and a reward],

And your hopeandexpectation will not be cut off.

19 Listen, my son, and be wise,

And direct your heart in the way [of the Lord].

20 Do not associate with heavy drinkers of wine,

Orwith gluttonous eaters of meat,

21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,

And the drowsiness [of overindulgence] will clothe one with rags.

22 Listen to your father, who sired you,

And do not despise your mother when she is old.

23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;

Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.

24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,

And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.

25 Let your father and your mother be glad,

And let her who gave birth to you rejoice [in your wise and godly choices].

26 My son, give me your heart

And let your eyes delight in my ways,

27 For a prostitute is a deep pit,

And an immoral woman is a narrow well.

28 She lurksandlies in wait like a robber [who waits for prey],

And she increases the faithless among men.

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?

Who has strife? Who has complaining?

Who has wounds without cause?

Whose eyes are redanddim?

30 Those who linger long over wine,

Those who go to taste mixed wine.

31 Do not look at wine when it is red,

When it sparkles in the glass,

When it goes down smoothly.

32 At the last it bites like a serpent

And stings like a viper.

33 Your [drunken] eyes will see strange things

And your mind will utter perverse things [untrue things, twisted things].

34 And you will be [as unsteady] as one who lies down in the middle of the sea,

And [as vulnerable to disaster] as one who lies down on the top of a ship’s mast,saying,

35 “They struck me, but I was not hurt!

They beat me, but I did not feel it!

When will I wake up?

I will seek more wine.”

Precepts and Warnings

1 Do not be envious of evil men,

Nor desire to be with them;

2 For their minds plot violence,

And their lips talk of trouble [for the innocent].

3 Through [skillful and godly] wisdom a house [a life, a home, a family] is built,

And by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation],

4 And by knowledge its rooms are filled

With all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is strong,

And a man of knowledge strengthens his power;

6 For by wise guidance you can wage your war,

And in an abundance of [wise] counselors there is victoryandsafety.

7 Wisdom is too exalted for a [hardened, arrogant]fool;

He does not open his mouth in the gate [where the city’s rulers sit in judgment].

8 He who plans to do evil

Will be called a schemerordeviser of evil.

9 The devising of folly is sin,

And the scoffer is repulsive to men.

10 If you are slack (careless) in the day of distress,

Your strength is limited.

11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death,

And those who stagger to the slaughter, Oh hold them back [from their doom]!

12 If you [claim ignorance and] say, “See, we did not know this,”

Does He not consider it who weighsandexamines the heartsandtheir motives?

And does He not know it who guards your lifeandkeeps your soul?

And will He not repay [you and] every man according to his works?

13 My son, eat honey, because it is good,

And the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

14 Know that [skillful and godly] wisdom is [so very good] for your lifeandsoul;

If you find wisdom, then there will be a futureanda reward,

And your hopeandexpectation will not be cut off.

15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;

Do not destroy his resting place;

16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,

But the wicked stumble intime ofdisasterandcollapse.

17 Do not rejoiceandgloat when your enemy falls,

And do not let your heart be glad [in self-righteousness] when he stumbles,

18 Or the Lordwill see your gloating and be displeased,

And turn His anger away from your enemy.

19 Do not get upset because of evildoers,

Or be envious of the wicked,

20 For there will be no future for the evil man;

The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 My son, fear the Lordand the king;

And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],

22 For their tragedy will rise suddenly,

And who knows the punishment that both [the Lordand the king] will bring on the rebellious?

23 These also are sayings of the wise:

To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24 He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”

Peoples will curse him, nations will denounce him;

25 But to those [honorable judges] who rebuke thewicked,it will go well with themandthey will find delight,

And a good blessing will come upon them.

26 He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of people]

Who gives a rightandstraightforward answer.

27 Prepare your work outside

And get it ready for yourself in the field;

Afterward build your houseandestablish a home.

28 Do not be a witness against yourneighbor without cause,

And do not deceive with your lips [speak neither lies nor half-truths].

29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;

I will pay the man back for his deed.”

30 I went by the field of the lazy man,

And by the vineyard of the man lacking understandingandcommon sense;

31 And, behold, it was all overgrown with thorns,

And nettles were covering its surface,

And its stone wall was broken down.

32 When I saw, I considered it well;

I looked and received instruction.

33 “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber,

A little folding of the hands to rest [and daydream],”

34 Then your poverty will come as a robber,

And your want like an armed man.

Similitudes, Instructions

1 These are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,

So the heartsandminds of kings areunsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver,

And there comes out [the pure metal for] a vessel for the silversmith [to shape].

5 Take away the wicked from before the king,

And his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Do not be boastfully ambitiousandclaim honor in the presence of the king,

And do not stand in the place of great men;

7 For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”

Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,

Whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not rush out to argueyourcase [before magistrates or judges];

Otherwise what will you do in the end [when your case is lost and]

When your neighbor (opponent) humiliates you?

9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself [before you go to court];

And do not reveal another’s secret,

10 Or he who hears it will shame you

And the rumor about you [and your action in court] will have no end.

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver

Is a word spoken at the right time.

12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold

Is a wise reprover to an ear that listensandlearns.

13 Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest,

So is a faithful messenger to those who send him;

For he refreshes the life of his masters.

14 Like clouds and wind without rain

Is a man who boasts falsely of gifts [he does not give].

15 By patienceanda calm spirit a ruler may be persuaded,

And a softandgentle tongue breaks the bone [of resistance].

16 Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as you need,

Otherwise, being filled excessively, you vomit it.

17 Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house,

Or he will become tired of you and hate you.

18 Like a club and a sword and a piercing arrow

Is a man who testifies falsely against his neighbor (acquaintance).

19 Like a broken tooth or an unsteady foot

Is confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble.

20 Like one who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like [a reactive, useless mixture of] vinegar on soda,

Is he who [thoughtlessly] sings [joyful] songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;

And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 For in doing so, you willheap coals of fire upon his head,

And the Lordwill reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain;

And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.

24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather]

Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,

So is good news from a distant land.

26 Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring

Is a righteous man who yieldsandcompromises his integrity before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey,

Nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected]

Is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble].

Similitudes, Instructions

1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,

So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted]fool.

2 Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying,

So the curse without cause does not comeandalight [on the undeserving].

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn].

4 Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,

Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.

5 Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly,

Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].

6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool

Cuts offhis ownfeet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence].

7 Like the legs which are useless to the lame,

So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].

8 Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw],

So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,

So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].

10 Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone,

So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.

11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit

Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.

12 Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyesandfull of self-conceit?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road!

A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!”

14 As the door turns on its hinges,

So does the lazy person on his bed [never getting out of it].

15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish [losing opportunity after opportunity];

It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes

Than seven [sensible] men who can give a discreet answer.

17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]

Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.

18 Like a madman who throws

Firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend)

And then says, “Was I not joking?”

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,

And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.

21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];

They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].

23 Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]

Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.

24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips,

But he stores up deceit in his heart.

25 When he speaks graciouslyandkindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,

For seven abominations are in his heart.

26 Though hishatred covers itself with guileanddeceit,

His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.

27 Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,

And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates those it woundsandcrushes,

And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Warnings and Instructions

1 Do not boast about tomorrow,

For you do not know what a day may bring.

2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;

A stranger, and not your own lips.

3 Stone is heavy and the sand weighty,

But a fool’s [unreasonable] wrath is heavierandmore burdensome than both of them.

4 Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood,

But who is able to endureandstand before [the sin of] jealousy?

5 Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction]

Than love that is hidden.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern],

But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].

7 He who is satisfied loathes honey,

But to the hungry soul any bitter thing is sweet.

8 Like a bird that wanders from her nest [with its comfort and safety],

So is a man who wanders from his home.

9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad;

So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.

10 Do not abandon your own friend and your father’s friend,

And do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster.

Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,

That I may reply to him who reproaches (reprimands, criticizes) me.

12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himselfandavoids it,

But the naive [who are easily misled] continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].

13 [The judge tells the creditor,] “Take the garment of one who is surety (guarantees a loan) for a stranger;

And hold him in pledge when he is surety for an immoral woman [for it is unlikely the debt will be repaid].”

14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,

It will be counted as a curse to him [for it will either be annoying or his purpose will be suspect].

15 A constant dripping on a day of steady rain

And a contentious (quarrelsome) woman are alike;

16 Whoever attempts to restrain her [criticism] might as well try to stop the wind,

And grasps oil with his right hand.

17 As iron sharpens iron,

So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].

18 He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit,

And he who faithfully protectsandcares for his master will be honored.

19 As in water facereflectsface,

So the heart of man reflects man.

20 Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the underworld) are never satisfied;

Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.

21 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold [to separate the impurities of the metal],

And each is tested by the praise given to him [and his response to it, whether humble or proud].

22 Even though you pound a [hardened, arrogant] fool [who rejects wisdom] in a mortar with a pestle like grain,

Yet his foolishness will not leave him.

23 Be diligent to know the condition of your flocks,

And pay attention to your herds;

24 For riches are not forever,

Nor does a crownendureto all generations.

25 When the grass is gone, the new growth is seen,

And herbs of the mountain are gathered in,

26 The lambs willsupply woolfor your clothing,

And the goats will bring the price of a field.

27 Andthere will beenough goats’ milk for your food,

For the food of your household,

And for the maintenance of your maids.

Warnings and Instructions

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues them,

But the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2 When a land does wrong, it has many princes,

But when the ruler is a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability endures.

3 A poor man who oppressesandexploits the lowly

Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.

4 Those whoset aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked,

But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them.

5 Evil men do not understand justice,

But they who long forandseek the Lordunderstand it fully.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity

Than he who is crookedandtwo-faced though he is rich.

7 He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wiseanddiscerning son,

But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself].

8 He who increases his wealth by interest and usury (excessive interest)

Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.

9 He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man],

Even his prayer is repulsive [to God].

10 He who leads the upright astray on an evil path

Will himself fall into his own pit,

But the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes,

But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him.

12 When the righteous triumph, there is great gloryandcelebration;

But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves.

13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

But whoever confesses andturns away from his sins will find compassionandmercy.

14 Blessedandfavored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times,

But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.

15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear

Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

16 A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understandingandcommon sense [and his wickedness shortens his days],

But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.

17 A man who is burdened with the guilt of human blood (murder)

Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support himorgive him refuge.

18 He who walks blamelesslyanduprightly will be kept safe,

But he who is crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall.

19 He who cultivates his land will have plenty of bread,

But he who follows worthless peopleandfrivolous pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

20 A faithful (right-minded) man will abound with blessings,

But he who hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To have regard for one person over anotherandto show favoritism is not good,

Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 He who has an evilandenvious eye hurries to be rich

And does not know that poverty will come upon him.

23 He who [appropriately] reprimands a [wise] man will afterward find more favor

Than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 He who robs his father or his mother

And says, “This is no sin,”

Is [not only a thief but also] the companion of a man who destroys.

25 An arrogantandgreedy man stirs up strife,

But he who trusts in the Lordwill be blessedandprosper.

26 He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,

But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.

27 He who gives to the poor will never want,

But he who shuts his eyes [from their need] will have many curses.

28 When the wicked rise [to power], men hide themselves;

But when the wicked perish, the [consistently] righteous increaseandbecome great.

Warnings and Instructions

1 He who hardens his neckandrefuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized),

Will suddenly be broken beyond repair.

2 When the righteous are in authorityandbecome great, the people rejoice;

But when the wicked man rules, the people groanandsigh.

3 A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful,

But he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

4 The king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice,

But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor [with smooth words intending to do harm]

Is spreading a net for his own feet.

6 By his wicked plan an evil man is trapped,

But the righteous man sings and rejoices [for his plan brings good things to him].

7 The righteous man cares for the rights of the poor,

But the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge.

8 Scoffers set a city afire [by stirring up trouble],

But wise men turn away anger [and restore order with their good judgment].

9 If a wise man has a controversy with a foolishandarrogant man,

The foolish man [ignores logic and fairness and] only rages or laughs, and there is no peace (rest, agreement).

10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless [because of his integrity],

But the upright are concerned for his life.

11 A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temperanddisplays his anger,

But a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.

12 If a ruler pays attention to lies [and encourages corruption],

All his officialswill becomewicked.

13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:

The Lordgives light to the eyes of both.

14 If a king faithfullyandtruthfully judges the poor,

His throne shall be established forever.

15 The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,

But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,

But the righteous will see the downfall of the wicked.

17 Correct your son, and he will give you comfort;

Yes, he will delight your soul.

18 Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;

But happyandblessed is he who keeps the law [of God].

19 A servant will not be corrected by wordsalone;

For though he understands, he will not respond [nor pay attention].

20 Do you see a [conceited] man who speaks quickly [offering his opinions or answering without thinking]?

There is more hope for a [thickheaded]fool than for him.

21 He who pampers his slave from childhood

Will find him to be a son in the end.

22 An angry man stirs up strife,

And a hot-temperedandundisciplined man commits many transgressions.

23 A man’s prideandsense of self-importance will bring him down,

But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.

24 Whoever is partner with a thief hates his own life;

He hears the curse [when swearing an oath to testify], but discloses nothing [and commits perjury by omission].

25 The fear of man brings a snare,

But whoever trusts inandputs his confidence in the Lordwill be exaltedandsafe.

26 Many seek the ruler’s favor,

But justice for man comes from the Lord.

27 An unjust man is repulsive to the righteous,

And he who is upright in the way [of the Lord] is repulsive to the wicked.

The Words of Agur

1 The words ofAgur the son of Jakeh, the oracle:

The man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ucal:

2 SurelyI am more brutishandstupid than any man,

And I do not have the understanding of a man [for I do not know what I do not know].

3 I have not learned [skillful and godly] wisdom,

Nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One [who is the source of wisdom].

4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended?

Who has gathered the wind in His fists?

Who has bound the waters in His garment?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is His name, and what is His Son’s name?

Certainly you know!

5 Every word of God is testedandrefined [like silver];

He is a shield to those who trustandtake refuge in Him.

6 Do not add to His words,

Or He will reprove you, and you will be found a liar.

7 Two things I have asked of You;

Do not deny them to me before I die:

8 Keep deception and lies far from me;

Give me neither poverty nor riches;

Feed me with the food that is my portion,

9 So that I will not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?”

Or that I will not be poor and steal,

And so profane the name of my God.

10 Do not slanderormalign a servant before his master [stay out of another’s personal life],

Or he will curse you [for your interference], and you will be found guilty.

11 There is a generation (class of people) that curses its father

And does not bless its mother.

12 There is a generation (class of people) that is pure in its own eyes,

Yet is not washed from its filthiness.

13 There is a generation (class of people)–oh, how lofty are their eyes!

And their eyelids are raisedin arrogance.

14 There is a generation (class of people) whose teeth are like swords

And whose jaw teeth are like knives,

To devour the afflicted from the earth

And the needy from among men.

15 The leech has two daughters,

“Give, give!”

There are three things that are never satisfied,

Four that do not say, “It is enough”:

16 Sheol, and the barren womb,

Earth that is never satisfied with water,

And fire that never says, “It is enough.”

17 The eye that mocks a father

And scorns a mother,

The ravens of the valley will pick it out,

And the young vultures will devour it.

18 There are three things which are too astoundingandunexpectedly wonderful for me,

Four which I do not understand:

19 The way of an eagle in the air,

The way of a serpent on a rock,

The way of a ship in the middle of the sea,

And the way of a man with a maid.

20 This is the way of an adulterous woman:

She eats and wipes her mouth

And says, “I have done no wrong.”

21 Under three things the earth is disquietedandquakes,

And under four it cannot bear up:

22 Under a servant when he reigns,

Undera [spiritually blind] fool when he is filled with food,

23 Under an unloved woman when she gets married,

Andundera maidservant when she supplants her mistress.

24 There are four things that are small on the earth,

But they are exceedingly wise:

25 The ants are not a strong people,

Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

26 Theshephanim are not a mighty folk,

Yet they make their houses in the rocks;

27 The locusts have no king,

Yet all of them go out in groups;

28 You may grasp the lizard with your hands,

Yet it is in kings’ palaces.

29 There are three things which are stately in step,

Even four which are stately in their stride:

30 The lion, which is mighty among beasts

And does not turn back before any;

31 Thestrutting rooster, the male goat also,

And the kingwhen hisarmy is with him.

32 If you have foolishly exalted yourself,

Or if you have plottedevil, put yourhand on your mouth.

33 Surely the churning of milk produces butter,

And wringing the nose produces blood;

So the churning of anger produces strife.