Proverbs 18 - 24
18 The man who holds aloof seeks every pretext
to bare his teeth in scorn at competent people.
The foolish have no interest in seeking to understand,
but prefer to display their wit.
When wickedness comes in, in comes contempt;
with the loss of honour comes reproach.
The words of a man's mouth are a gushing torrent,
but deep is the water in the well of wisdom.
It is not good to show favour to the wicked
or to deprive the righteous of justice.
When the stupid man talks, contention follows;
his words provoke blows.
The stupid man's tongue is his undoing;
his lips put his life in jeopardy.
A gossip's whispers are savoury morsels,
gulped down into the inner man.
Again, the lazy worker is own brother
to the man who enjoys destruction.
The name of the LORD is a tower of strength,
where the righteous may run for refuge.
A rich man's wealth is his strong city,
a towering wall, so he supposes.
Before disaster comes, a man is proud,
but the way to honour is humility.
To answer a question before you have heard it out
is both stupid and insulting.
A man's spirit may sustain him in sickness,
but if the spirit is wounded, who can mend it?
Knowledge comes to the discerning mind;
the wise ear listens to get knowledge.
A gift opens the door to the giver
and gains access to the great.
In a lawsuit the first speaker seems right,
until another steps forward and cross-questions him.
Cast lots, and settle a quarrel,
and so keep litigants apart.
A reluctant brother is more unyielding than a fortress,
and quarrels are stubborn as the bars of a castle.
A man may live by the fruit of his tongue,
his lips may earn him a livelihood.
The tongue has the power of life and death;
make friends and enjoy its fruits.
Find a wife, and you find a good thing;
so you will earn the favour of the LORD.
The poor man speaks in a tone of entreaty,
and the rich man gives a harsh answer.
Some companions are good only for idle talk,
but a friend may stick closer than a brother.
19 Better be poor and above reproach
than rich and crooked in speech.
Again, desire without knowledge is not good;
the man in a hurry misses the way.
A man's own folly wrecks his life,
and then he bears a grudge against the LORD.
Wealth makes many friends,
but a man without means loses the friend he has.
A false witness will not escape punishment,
and one who utters nothing but lies will not go free.
Many curry favour with the great;
a lavish giver has the world for his friend.
A poor man's brothers all dislike him,
how much more is he shunned by his friends!
Practice in evil makes the perfect scoundrel;
the man who talks too much meets his deserts.
To learn sense is true self-love;
cherish discernment and make sure of success.
A false witness will not escape punishment,
and one who utters nothing but lies will perish.
A fool at the helm is out of place,
how much worse a slave in command of men of rank!
To be patient shows intelligence;
to overlook faults is a man's glory.
A king's rage is like a lion's roar,
his favour like dew on the grass.
A stupid son is a calamity to his father;
a nagging wife is like water dripping endlessly.
Home and wealth may come down from ancestors,
but an intelligent wife is a gift from the LORD;
Laziness is the undoing of the worthless;
idlers must starve.
To keep the commandments keeps a man safe,
but scorning the ways of he LORD brings death.
he who is generous to the poor Lends to the LORD;
he will repay him in full measure.
Chastise your son while there is hope for him,
but be careful not to flog him to death.
A man's ill temper brings its own punishment;
try to save him, and you make matters worse.
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and you will die a wise man.
A man's heart may be full of schemes,
but the LORD's purpose will prevail.
Greed is a disgrace to a man;
better be a poor man than a liar.
The fear of the LORD is life;
he who is full of it will rest untouched by evil.
The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish
but will not so much as lift it to his mouth.
Strike an arrogant man, and he resents it like a fool;
reprove an understanding man, and he understands what you mean.
He who talks his father down vexes his mother;
he is a son to bring shame and disgrace on them.
A son who ceases to accept correction
is sure to turn his back on the teachings of knowledge.
A rascally witness perverts justice,
and the talk of the wicked fosters mischief.
There is a rod in pickle for the arrogant,
and blows ready for the stupid man's back.
20 Wine is an insolent fellow, and strong drink makes an uproar;
no one addicted to their company grows wise.
A king's threat is like a lion's roar;
one who ignores it is his own worst enemy.
To draw back from dispute is honourable;
it is the fool who bares his teeth.
The sluggard who does not plough in autumn
goes begging at harvest and gets nothing.
Counsel in another man's heart is like deep water,
but a discerning man will draw it up.
Many a man protests his loyalty,
but where will you find one to keep faith?
If a man leads a good and upright life,
happy are the sons who come after him!
A king seated on the judgement-throne
has an eye to sift all that is evil.
Who can say, 'I have a clear conscience;
I am purged from my sin'?
A double standard in weights and measures
is an abomination to the LORD.
Again, a young man is known by his actions,
whether his conduct is innocent or guilty.
The ear that hears, the eye that sees,
the LORD made them both.
Love sleep, and you will end in poverty;
keep your eyes open, and you will eat your fill.
'A bad bargain!' says the buyer to the seller,
but off he goes to brag about it.
There is gold in plenty and coral too,
but a wise word is a rare jewel.
Take a man's garment when he pledges his word for a stranger
and hold that as a pledge for the unknown person.
bread got by fraud tastes good,
but afterwards it fills the mouth with grit.
Care is the secret of good planning;
wars are won by skilful strategy.
A gossip will betray secrets;
have nothing to do with a tattler.
If a man reviles father and mother,
his lamp will go out when darkness comes.
If you begin by piling up property in haste,
it will bring you no blessing in the end.
Do not think to repay evil for evil,
wait for the LORD to deliver you.
A double standard in weights is an abomination to the LORD,
and false scales are not good in his sight.
It is the LORD who directs a man's steps;
how can mortal man understand the road he travels?
It is dangerous to dedicate a gift rashly
or make a vow and have second thoughts.
A wise king sifts out the wicked
and turns back for them the wheel of fortune.
The LORD shines into every man's very soul,
searching out his inmost being.
A king's guards are loyalty and good faith,
his throne is upheld by righteousness.
The glory of young men is their strength,
the dignity of old men their grey hairs.
A good beating purges the mind,
and blows chasten the inmost being.
21 The king's heart is under the LORD's hand;
like runnels of water, he turns it wherever he will.
A man may think that he is always right,
but the LORD fixes a standard fort the heart.
Do what is right and just;
that is more pleasing to the LORD than sacrifice.
Haughty looks and a proud heart——
these sins mark a wicked man.
Forethought and diligence are sure of profit;
the man in a hurry is as sure of poverty.
He who makes a fortune by telling lies
runs needlessly into the toils of death.
The wicked are caught up in their own violence,
because they refuse to do what is just.
The criminal's conduct is tortuous;
straight dealing is a sign of integrity.
Better to live in a corner of the house-top
than have a nagging wife and a brawling household.
The wicked man is set on evil;
he has no pity to spare for his friend.
The simple man is made wise when he sees the insolent punished,
and learns his lesson when the wise man prospers.
The just God makes the wicked man's home childless;
he overturns the wicked and ruins them.
If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the helpless,
he will cry for himself and not be heard.
A gift in secret placates an angry man;
a bribe slipped under the cloak pacifies great wrath.
When justice is done, all good men rejoice,
but it brings ruin to evildoers.
A man who takes leave of common sense
comes to rest in the company of the dead.
Love pleasure and you will beg bread;
a man who loves wine and oil will never grow rich.
The wicked man serves as a ransom for the righteous,
so does a traitor for the upright.
Better to live alone in the desert
than with a nagging and ill-tempered wife.
The wise man has his home full of fine and costly treasures;
the stupid man is a mere spendthrift.
Persevere in right conduct and loyalty
and you shall find life and honour.
A wise man climbs into a city full of armed men
and undermines its strength and its confidence.
Keep a guard over your lips and tongue
and keep yourself out of trouble.
The conceited man is haughty, his name is insolence;
conceit and impatience are in all he does.
The sluggard's cravings go unsatisfied,
while the righteous man gives without stint.
The wicked man's sacrifice is an abomination to the LORD;
how much more when he offers it with vileness at heart!
A lying witness will perish,
but he whose words ring true will leave children behind him.
A wicked man puts a bold face on it,
whereas the upright man secures his line of retreat.
Face to face with the LORD,
wisdom, understanding, counsel go for nothing.
A horse may be made ready for the day of battle,
but victory comes from the LORD.
22 A good name is more to be desired than great riches;
esteem is better than silver or gold.
Rich and poor have this in common:
the LORD made them both.
A shrewd man sees trouble coming and lies low;
the simple walk into it and pay the penalty.
The fruit of humility is the fear of God
with riches and honour and life.
The crooked man's path is set with snares and pitfalls;
the cautious man will steer clear of them.
Start a boy on the right road,
and even in old age he will not leave it.
The rich lord it over the poor;
the borrower becomes the lender's slave.
The man who sows injustice reaps trouble,
and the end of his work will be the rod.
The kindly man will be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
Drive out the insolent man, and strife goes with him;
if he sits on the bench, he makes a mockery of justice.
The LORD loves a sincere man;
but you will make a king your friend with your fine phrases.
The LORD keeps watch over every claim at law,
and overturns the scoundrel's case.
The sluggard protests, 'There's a lion outside;
I shall get myself killed in the street.'
The words of an adulteress are like a deep pit;
those whom the LORD has cursed will fall into it.
Folly is deep-rooted in the heart of a boy;
a good beating will drive it right out of him.
Oppression of the poor may bring gain to a man,
but giving to the rich leads only to penury.
The sayings of the wise:
Pay heed and listen to my words,
open your mind to the knowledge I impart;
to keep them in your heart will be a pleasure,
and then you will always have them on your lips.
I would have you trust in the LORD
and so I tell you these things this day for your own good.
Here I have written out for you thirty sayings,
full of knowledge and wise advice,
to impart to you a knowledge of the truth,
that you may take back a true report to him who sent you.
Never rob a helpless man because he is helpless,
nor ill-treat a poor wretch in court;
for the LORD will take up their cause
and rob him who robs them of their livelihood.
Never make friends with an angry man
nor keep company with a bad-tempered one;
be careful not to learn his ways,
or your will find yourself caught in a trap.
Never be one to give guarantees,
or to pledge yourself as surety for another;
for if you cannot pay, beware:
your bed will be taken from under you.
Do not move the ancient boundary-stone
which your forefathers set up.
You see a skilful man at his craft:
he will serve kings, he will not serve common men.
23 When you sit down to eat with a ruling prince,
be sure to keep your mind on what is before you,
and if you are a greedy man,
cut your throat first.
Do not be greedy for his dainties,
for they are not what they seem.
Do not slave to get wealth;
be a sensible man, and give up.
Before you can look round, it will be gone;
it will surely grow wings
like an eagle, like a bird in the sky.
Do not go to dinner with a miser,
do not be greedy for his dainties;
for they will stick in your throat like a hair.
He will bid your eat and drink,
but his heart is not with you;
you will bring up the mouthful you have eaten,
and your winning words will have been wasted.
Hold your tongue in the hearing of a stupid man;
for he will despise your words of wisdom.
Do not move the ancient boundary-stone
or encroach on the land of orphans:
they have a powerful guardian
who will take up their cause against you.
Apply your mind to instruction
and open your ears to knowledge when it speaks.
Do not withhold discipline from a boy;
take the stick to him, and save him from death.
If you take the stick to him yourself,
you will preserve him from the jaws of death.
My son, if you are wise at heart,
my heart in its turn will be glad;
I shall rejoice with all my soul
when you speak plain truth.
Do not try to emulate sinners;
envy only those who fear the LORD day by day;
do this, and you may look forward to the future,
and your thread of life will not be cut short.
Listen, my son, listen, and become wise;
Set your mind on the right course.
Do not keep company with drunkards
or those who are greedy for fleshpots;
for drink and greed will end in poverty,
and drunken stupor goes in rags.
Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Buy truth, never sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
A good man's father will rejoice
and he who has a wise son will delight in him.
Give your father and your mother cause for delight,
let her who bore you rejoice.
My son, mark my words,
and accept my guidance with a will.
A prostitute is a deep pit,
a loose woman a narrow well;
she lies in wait like a robber
and betrays her husband with man after man.
Whose is the misery? whose the remorse?
Whose are the quarrels and anxiety?
Who gets the bruises without knowing why?
Whose eyes are bloodshot?
Those who linger late over their wine,
those who are always trying some new spiced liquor.
Do not gulp down the wine, the strong red wine,
when the droplets form on the side of the cup;
in the end it will bite like a snake
and sting like a cobra.
Then your eyes see strange sights,
your wits and your speech are confused;
you become like a man tossing out at sea,
like one who clings to the top of the rigging;
you say, 'If it lays me flat, what do I care?
If it brings me to the ground, what of it?
As soon as I wake up,
I shall turn to it again.'
24 Do not emulate wicked men
or long to make friends with them;
for violence is all they think of,
and all they say means mischief.
Wisdom builds the house,
good judgement makes it secure,
knowledge furnishes the rooms
with all the precious and pleasant things that wealth can buy.
Wisdom prevails over strength,
knowledge over brute force;
for wars are won by skilful strategy,
and victory is the fruit of long planning.
Wisdom is too high for a fool;
he dare not open his mouth in court.
A man who is bent on mischief
gets a name for intrigue;
the intrigues of foolish men misfire,
and the insolent man is odious to his fellows.
If your strength fails on a lucky day,
how helpless will you be on a day of disaster!
When you see a man being dragged to be killed, go to his rescue,
and save those being hurried away to their death.
If you say, 'But I do not know this man',
God, who fixes a standard for the heart, will take note.
God watches you——be sure he will know;
he will requite every man for what he does.
Eat honey, my son, for it is good,
and the honeycomb so sweet upon the tongue.
Make wisdom too your own;
if you find it, you may look forward to the future,
and your thread of life will not be cut short.
Do not lie in wait like a felon at the good man's house,
or raid his farm.
Though the good man may fall seven times, he is soon up again,
but the rascal is brought down by misfortune.
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
do not gloat when he is brought down;
or the LORD will see and be displeased with you,
and he will cease to be angry with him.
Do not vie with evildoers
or emulate the wicked;
for wicked men have no future to look forward to;
their embers will be put out.
My son, fear the LORD and grow rich,
but have nothing to do with men of rank,
they will bring about disaster without warning;
who knows what ruin such men may cause?
More sayings of wise men:
Partiality in dispensing justice is not good.
A judge who pronounces a guilty man innocent
is cursed by all nations, all people execrate him;
for those who convict the guilty all will go well,
they will be blessed with prosperity.
A straightforward answer
is as good as a kiss of friendship.
First put all in order out of doors
and make everything ready on the land;
then establish your house and home.
Do not be a witness against your neighbour without good reason
nor misrepresent him in your evidence.
Do not say,
'I will do to him what he has done to me;
I will requite him for what he has done.'
I passed by the field of an idle man,
by the vineyard of a man with no sense.
I looked, and it was all dried up,
it was overgrown with thistles
and covered with weeds,
and the stones of its walls had been torn down.
I saw and I took good note,
I considered and learnt the lesson:
a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands in rest,
and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
want like a ruffian.
The New English Bible (with Apocrypha)
Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, 1970
Posted Aug 3, 2019, 1:19 AM UTC
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