Proverbes (NAB) 24
24 1 Be not emulous of evil men, and desire not to be with them;
2 For their hearts plot violence, and their lips speak of foul play.
3 By wisdom is a house built, by understanding is it made firm;
4 And by knowledge are its rooms filled with every precious and pleasing possession.
5 A wise man is more powerful than a strong man, and a man of knowledge than a man of might;
6 For it is by wise guidance that you wage your war, and the victory is due to a wealth of counselors.
7 For a fool, to be silent is wisdom; not to open his mouth at the gate.
8 He who plots evil doing-- men call him an intriguer.
9 Beyond intrigue and folly and sin, it is arrogance that men find abominable.
10 If you remain indifferent in time of adversity, your strength will depart from you.
11 Rescue those who are being dragged to death, and from those tottering to execution withdraw not.
12 If you say, "I know not this man!" does not he who tests hearts perceive it? He who guards your life knows it, and he will repay each one according to his deeds.
13 If you eat honey, my son, because it is good, if virgin honey is sweet to your taste;
14 Such, you must know, is wisdom to your soul. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
15 Lie not in wait against the home of the just man, ravage not his dwelling place;
16 For the just man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble to ruin.
17 Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and when he stumbles, let not your heart exult,
18 Lest the LORD see it, be displeased with you, and withdraw his wrath from your enemy.
19 Be not provoked with evildoers, nor envious of the wicked;
20 For the evil man has no future, the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the LORD and the king; have nothing to do with those who rebel against them;
22 For suddenly arises the destruction they send, and the ruin from either one, who can measure?
23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked man, "You are just"-- men will curse him, people will denounce him;
25 But those who convict the evildoer will fare well, and on them will come the blessing of prosperity.
26 He gives a kiss on the lips who makes an honest reply.
27 Complete your outdoor tasks, and arrange your work in the field; afterward you can establish your house.
28 Be not a witness against your neighbor without just cause, thus committing folly with your lips.
29 Say not, "As he did to me, so will I do to him; I will repay the man according to his deeds."
30 I passed by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man without sense;
31 And behold! it was all overgrown with thistles; its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall broken down.
32 And as I gazed at it, I reflected; I saw and learned the lesson:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest--
34 Then will poverty come upon you like a highwayman, and want like an armed man.
25 1 These also are proverbs of Solomon. The men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transmitted them.
2 God has glory in what he conceals, kings have glory in what they fathom.
3 As the heavens in height, and the earth in depth, the heart of kings is unfathomable.
4 Remove the dross from silver, and it comes forth perfectly purified;
5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne is made firm through righteousness.
6 Claim no honor in the king's presence, nor occupy the place of great men;
7 For it is better that you be told, "Come up closer!" than that you be humbled before the prince.
8 What your eyes have seen bring not forth hastily against an opponent; For what will you do later on when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Discuss your case with your neighbor, but another man's secret do not disclose;
10 Lest, hearing it, he reproach you, and your ill repute cease not.
11 Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time.
12 Like a golden earring, or a necklace of fine gold, is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 Like the coolness of snow in the heat of the harvest is a faithful messenger for the one who sends him. (He refreshes the soul of his master.)
14 Like clouds and wind when no rain follows is the man who boastfully promises what he never gives.
15 By patience is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you become glutted with it and vomit it up.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have more than enough of you, and hate you.
18 Like a club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow, is the man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 Like an infected tooth or an unsteady foot is (dependence on) a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 Like a moth in clothing, or a maggot in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart.
21 If your enemy be hungry, give him food to eat, if he be thirsty, give him to drink;
22 For live coals you will heap on his head, and the LORD will vindicate you.
23 The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman.
25 Like cool water to one faint from thirst is good news from a far country.
26 Like a troubled fountain or a polluted spring is a just man who gives way before the wicked.
27 To eat too much honey is not good; nor to seek honor after honor.
28 Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings.
26 1 Like snow in summer, or rain in harvest, honor for a fool is out of place.
2 Like the sparrow in its flitting, like the swallow in its flight, a curse uncalled-for arrives nowhere.
3 The whip for the horse, the bridle for the ass, and the rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not the fool according to his folly, lest you too become like him.
5 Answer the fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 He cuts off his feet, he drinks down violence, who sends messages by a fool.
7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool hangs limp, like crippled legs.
8 Like one who entangles the stone in the sling is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn stick brandished by the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer wounding all who pass by is he who hires a drunken fool.
11 As the dog returns to his vomit, so the fool repeats his folly.
12 You see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the street, a lion in the middle of the square!"
14 The door turns on its hinges, the sluggard, on his bed!
15 The sluggard loses his hand in the dish; he is too weary to lift it to his mouth.
16 The sluggard imagines himself wiser than seven men who answer with good sense.
17 Like the man who seizes a passing dog by the ears is he who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 Like a crazed archer scattering firebrands and deadly arrows
19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, and then says, "I was only joking."
20 For lack of wood, the fire dies out; and when there is no talebearer, strife subsides.
21 What a bellows is to live coals, what wood is to fire, such is a contentious man in enkindling strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.
23 Like a glazed finish on earthenware are smooth lips with a wicked heart.
24 With his lips an enemy pretends, but in his inmost being he maintains deceit;
25 When he speaks graciously, trust him not, for seven abominations are in his heart.
26 A man may conceal hatred under dissimulation, but his malice will be revealed in the assembly.
27 He who digs a pit falls into it; and a stone comes back upon him who rolls it.
28 The lying tongue is its owner's enemy, and the flattering mouth works ruin.
27 1 Boast not of tomorrow, for you know not what any day may bring forth.
2 Let another praise you-- not your own mouth; Someone else-- not your own lips.
3 Stone is heavy, and sand a burden, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.
4 Anger is relentless, and wrath overwhelming-- but before jealousy who can stand?
5 Better is an open rebuke than a love that remains hidden.
6 Wounds from a friend may be accepted as well meant, but the greetings of an enemy one prays against.
7 One who is full, tramples on virgin honey; but to the man who is hungry, any bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that is far from its nest is a man who is far from his home.
9 Perfume and incense gladden the heart, but by grief the soul is torn asunder.
10 Your own friend and your father's friend forsake not; but if ruin befalls you, enter not a kinsman's house. Better is a neighbor near at hand than a brother far away.
11 If you are wise, my son, you will gladden my heart, and I will be able to rebut him who tuants me.
12 The shrewd man perceives evil and hides; simpletons continue on and suffer the penalty.
13 Take his garment who becomes surety for another, and for the sake of a stranger, yield it up!
14 When one greets his neighbor with a loud voice in the early morning, a curse can be laid to his charge.
15 For a persistent leak on a rainy day the match is a quarrelsome woman.
16 He who keeps her stores up a stormwind; he cannot tell north from south.
17 As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man.
18 He who tends a fig tree eats its fruit, and he who is attentive to his master will be enriched.
19 As one face differs from another, so does one human heart from another.
20 The nether world and the abyss are never satisfied; so too the eyes of men.
21 As the crucible tests silver and the furnace gold, so a man is tested by the praise he receives.
22 Though you should pound the fool to bits with the pestle, amid the grits in a mortar, his folly would not go out of him.
23 Take good care of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;
24 For wealth lasts not forever, nor even a crown from age to age.
25 When the grass is taken away and the aftergrowth appears, and the mountain greens are gathered in,
26 The lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats will bring the price of a field,
27 And there will be ample goat's milk to supply you, to supply your household, and maintenance for your maidens.
28 1 The wicked man flees although no one pursues him; but the just man, like a lion, feels sure of himself.
2 If a land is rebellious, its princes will be many; but with a prudent man it knows security.
3 A rich man who oppresses the poor is like a devastating rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who abandon the law praise the wicked man, but those who keep the law war against him.
5 Evil men understand nothing of justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all.
6 Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked in his ways and rich.
7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but the gluttons' companion disgraces his father.
8 He who increases his wealth by interest and overcharge gathers it for him who is kind to the poor.
9 When one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 He who seduces the upright into an evil way will himself fall into his own pit. (And blameless men will gain prosperity.)
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who is intelligent sees through him.
12 When the just are triumphant, there is great jubilation; but when the wicked gain preeminence, people hide.
13 He who conceals his sins prospers not, but he who confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy.
14 Happy the man who is always on his guard; but he who hardens his heart will fall into evil.
15 Like a roaring lion or a ravenous bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 The less prudent the prince, the more his deeds oppress. He who hates ill-gotten gain prolongs his days.
17 Though a man burdened with human blood were to flee to the grave, none should support him.
18 He who walks uprightly is safe, but he whose ways are crooked falls into the pit.
19 He who cultivates his land will have plenty of food, but from idle pursuits a man has his fill of poverty.
20 The trustworthy man will be richly blessed; he who is in haste to grow rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is never good: for even a morsel of bread a man may do wrong.
22 The avaricious man is perturbed about his wealth, and he knows not when want will come upon him.
23 He who rebukes a man gets more thanks in the end than one with a flattering tongue.
24 He who defrauds father or mother and calls it no sin, is a partner of the brigand.
25 The greedy man stirs up disputes, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is safe.
27 He who gives to the poor suffers no want, but he who ignores them gets many a curse.
28 When the wicked gain pre-eminence, other men hide; but at their fall the just flourish.
29 1 The man who remains stiff-necked and hates rebuke will be crushed suddenly beyond cure.
2 When the just prevail, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but he who consorts with harlots squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king gives stability to the land; but he who imposes heavy taxes ruins it.
5 The man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net under his feet.
6 The wicked man steps into a snare, but the just man runs on joyfully.
7 The just man has a care for the rights of the poor; the wicked man has no such concern.
8 Arrogant men set the city ablaze, but wise men calm the fury.
9 If a wise man disputes with a fool, he may rage or laugh but can have no peace.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate the honest man, but the upright show concern for his life.
11 The fool gives vent to all his anger; but by biding his time, the wise man calms it.
12 If a ruler listens to lying words, his servants all become wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have a common bond: the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king is zealous for the rights of the poor, his throne stands firm forever.
15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a boy left to his whims disgraces his mother.
16 When the wicked prevail, crime increases; but their downfall the just will behold.
17 Correct your son, and he will bring you comfort, and give delight to your soul.
18 Without prophecy the people become demoralized; but happy is he who keeps the law.
19 By words no servant can be trained; for he understands what is said, but obeys not.
20 Do you see a man hasty in his words? More can be hoped for from a fool!
21 If a man pampers his servant from childhood, he will turn out to be stubborn.
22 An ill-tempered man stirs up disputes, and a hotheaded man is the cause of many sins.
23 Man's pride causes his humiliation, but he who is humble of spirit obtains honor.
24 The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy: he hears himself put under a curse, yet discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD is safe.
26 Many curry favor with the ruler, but the rights of each are from the LORD.
27 The evildoer is an abomination to the just, and he who walks uprightly is an abomination to the wicked.
30 1 The words of Agur, son of Jakeh the Massaite: The pronouncement of mortal man: "I am not God; I am not God, that I should prevail.
2 Why, I am the most stupid of men, and have not even human intelligence;
3 Neither have I learned wisdom, nor have I the knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down again-- who has cupped the wind in his hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak-- who has marked out all the ends of the earth? What is his name, what is his son's name, if you know it?"
5 Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Add nothing to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be exposed as a deceiver.
7 Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die:
8 Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; (provide me only with the food I need;)
9 Lest, being full, I deny you, saying, "Who is the LORD?" Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God.
10 Slander not a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you have to pay the penalty.
11 There is a group of people that curses its father, and blesses not its mother.
12 There is a group that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not purged of its filth.
13 There is a group-- how haughty their eyes! how overbearing their glance!
14 There is a group whose incisors are swords, whose teeth are knives, Devouring the needy from the earth, and the poor from among men.
15 The two daughters of the leech are, "Give, Give." Three things are never satisfied, four never say, "Enough!"
16 The nether world, and the barren womb; the earth, that is never saturated with water, and fire, that never says, "Enough!"
17 The eye that mocks a father, or scorns an aged mother, Will be plucked out by the ravens in the valley; the young eagles will devour it.
18 Three things are too wonderful for me, yes, four I cannot understand:
19 The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a rock, The way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats, wipes her mouth, and says, "I have done no wrong."
21 Under three things the earth trembles, yes, under four it cannot bear up:
22 Under a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is glutted with food;
23 Under an odious woman when she is wed, and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.
24 Four things are among the smallest on the earth, and yet are exceedingly wise:
25 Ants-- a species not strong, yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 Rock-badgers-- a species not mighty, yet they make their home in the crags;
27 Locusts-- they have no king, yet they migrate all in array;
28 Lizards-- you can catch them with your hands, yet they find their way into king's palaces.
29 Three things are stately in their stride, yes, four are stately in their carriage:
30 The lion, mightiest of beasts, who retreats before nothing;
31 The strutting cock, and the he-goat, and the king at the head of his people.
32 If you have foolishly been proud or presumptuous-- put your hand on your mouth;
33 For the stirring of milk brings forth curds, and the stirring of anger brings forth blood.
31 1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa. The advice which his mother gave him:
2 What, my son, my first-born! what, O son of my womb; what, O son of my vows!
3 Give not your vigor to women, nor your strength to those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine; strong drink is not for princes!
5 Lest in drinking they forget what the law decrees, and violate the rights of all who are in need.
6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the sorely depressed;
7 When they drink, they will forget their misery, and think no more of their burdens.
8 Open your mouth in behalf of the dumb, and for the rights of the destitute;
9 Open your mouth, decree what is just, defend the needy and the poor!
10 When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
11 Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
12 She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.
14 Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar.
15 She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household.
16 She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms.
18 She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.
20 She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
21 She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed.
22 She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.
27 She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness.
28 Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:
29 "Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all."
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.
Proverbes (NAB) 24