1Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
those who anger him forfeit their lives.
3It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4Sluggards do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
5The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
6Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?
7The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.
8When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?
10Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.
11Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure and upright?
12Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.
13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,
but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
18Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
19A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20If someone curses their father or mother,
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
21An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
22Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
23The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
24A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand their own way?
25It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.
26A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The human spirit is20:27 Or A person’s words are the lamp of the Lord
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
28Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.
29The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.
30Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.20.4 cold: or, winter 5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?20.6 goodness: or, bounty 7The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. 8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. 9Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? 10Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.20.10 Divers weights: Heb. A stone and a stone20.10 divers measures: Heb. an ephah and an ephah 11Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. 12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. 13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 14It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 15There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. 17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.20.17 deceit: Heb. lying, or, falsehood 18Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. 19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.20.19 flattereth: or, enticeth 20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.20.20 lamp: or, candle 21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. 23Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.20.23 a false…: Heb. balance of deceit 24Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? 25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. 26A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. 27The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.20.27 candle: or, lamp 28Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. 29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. 30The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.20.30 cleanseth…: Heb. is a purging medicine against
