The Book of Proverbs

16:

1. The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.  (Matt. 10:19)
2. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.  (Prov. 21:2,   Prov. 21:12)
3. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.  (Ps. 37:5)
4. The Lord has made all things for Himself,  (Job 21:30;   Is. 43:7)  yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
5. Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord (Prov. 6:17;   Prov. 8:13); though they join forces, none will go unpunished.  (Is. 2:11)
6. In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity;  (Dan. 4:27);  and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.  (Prov. 8:13)
7. When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.  (Ps. 56:9;   1 Pet. 3:13)   (*!*)
8. Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice.  (Ps. 37:16)
9. A man's heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.  (Prov. 19:21;   Jer. 10:23)
10. Even though divination is on the lips of the king, His mouth must not transgress in judgement.
11. A just weight and balance are the Lord's (Lev. 19:36); all the weights in the bag are His work.
12. It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness.  (Prov. 25:5)
13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings (Prov. 14:35), and they love him who speaks what is right.
14. As messengers of death is the king's wrath, but a wise man will appease it. ( Prov. 25:15;   Prov. 19:12)
15. In the light of the king's face is life, and his favour is like a cloud of the latter rain.  (Zech. 10:1)
16. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 
    (Job 28:17;   Prov. 8:10,   11,   19)   (*!*)
17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul.  (Prov. 8:13)
18. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.  (Prov. 8:13;   Prov. 11:2;   Prov. 17:19)
19. Better to be of humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. (Ps. 32:10;   Ps. 34:8;   Prov. 19:8)
21. The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it, but the correction of fools is folly.
23. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.  (Prov. 14:12)
26. The person who labours, labours for himself, for his hungry mouth drives him on.  (Eccl. 6:7)
27. An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire.
28. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.  (Prov. 17:9)
29. A violent man entices his neighbour, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30. He winks his eye to devise perverse things; he purses his lips and brings about evil.
31. The silver-heared head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.  (Prov. 21:29)
32. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.  (Prov. 25:28;   James 1:19)   (*!*)
33. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.   (Prov. 18:18)

 

17:

1. Better is a dry morsel with quietness (Prov. 15:17), than a house full of feasting with strife.
2. A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, and will share an inheritance among the brothers. (Prov. 10:5;   Prov. 19:26)
3. The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.  (Jer. 17:10)
4. An evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.
5. He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.  (Job 31:29)
6. Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.  (Ps. 127:3;   Ps. 128:3)
7. Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
8. A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9. He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates the best of friends.  (Prov. 10:12;   Prov. 16:28)    (*!*)
10. Reproof is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.  (Mic. 7:9;   Luke 17:3)
11. An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.  (Hos. 13:8)
13. Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.  (Ps. 109:4  &  Ps. 109:5)
14. The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.
15. He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just (Ex. 23:7), both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.  (Is.  5:23)
16. Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, since he has no heart for it?
17. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.   (Ruth 1:16;   Prov. 18:24;   Prov. 27:10)
18. A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend.  (Job 17:3)
19. He who loves transgression loves strife, and he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.   (Prov. 16:18)
20. He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.
21. He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.  (Prov. 10:1)
22. A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.  (Ps. 22:15;   Prov. 15:15)
23. A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back to pervert the ways of justice.
24. Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding (Eccl. 2:4), but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.   (Prov. 10:1;   _15:20;   _19:13)
26. Also, to punish the righteous is not good, nor to strike princes for their uprightness.
27. He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.  (James 1:19)
28. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.  (Job 13:5)

 

18:

1. A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgement.
2. A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.  (Eccl. 10:3)
3. When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; and with dishonour comes reproach.
4. The words of a man's mouth are deep waters (Prov. 10:11);
   the wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.  (James 1:17;   James 3:17)
5. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, or to overthrow the righteous in judgement.  (Prov. 28:21)
6. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows.
7. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.  (Prov. 10:14;   Prov. 12:13; Eccl. 10:12)
8. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.
9. He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.  (Prov. 28:24)
10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower (2 Sam. 22:2;   _3; _33); the righteous run to it and are safe.  (Ps. 61:3)
11. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own esteem.
12. Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
    (Prov. 11:2;   Prov. 15:33;   Prov. 16:18)
13. He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.
14. The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?
15. The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16. A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.   (Gen. 32:20 & 21)
17. The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbour comes and examines him.
18. Casting lots causes contentions to cease (Prov. 16:33), and keeps the mighty apart.
19. A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20. A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth  (Prov. 12:14; Prov. 14:14), and from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.  (Matt. 12:37)
22. He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour from the Lord.  (Prov. 12:4;   Prov. 19:14)
23. The poor man uses entreaties, but the rich answers roughly.  (James 2:3;  James 2:6)
24. A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  (Prov. 17:17;    Prov. 27:10)

 

19:

1. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2. Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet.
3. The foolishness of a man twists his way, and his heart frets against the Lord.
4. Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his friends.  (Prov. 14:20)
5. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape.  (Ex. 23:1)
6. Many entreat the favour of the nobility, and every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.
7. All the brothers of the poor hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! 
   He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.  (Prov. 14:20;   Ps. 38:11)
8. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good.  (Prov. 16:20)
9. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish.  (Prov. 12:19)
10. Luxury is not fitting for a fool, much less for a servant to rule over princes.  (Prov. 30:21 & 22;   Eccl. 10:7)
11. The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, an it is to his glory to overlook a transgression.
12. The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favour is like dew on the grass (Prov. 16:14; Hos. 14:5)
13. A foolish son is the ruin of his father (Prov. 10:1), and the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
    (Prov. 17:25;   Prov. 21:9;   Prov. 21:19;   Prov. 27:15)
14. Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.  (2 Cor. 12:14;   Prov. 18:22)
15. Slothfulness casts one into a deep sleep (Prov. 6:9), and an idle person will suffer hunger.  (Prov. 10:4)
16. He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul  (Luke 10:28;   Luke 11:28),
    but he who is careless of his ways will die.
17. He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.
    (Prov. 22:9;   2 Cor. 9:6 - 8)   (*!*)
18. Chasten your son while there is hope (Prov. 13:24), and do not set your heart on his destruction.
19. A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; for if you deliver him, you will have to do it again.
20. Listen to council and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.  (Ps. 37:37)
21. There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the Lord's counsel - that will stand.  (Prov. 16:9)
22. What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar.
23. The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil.
    (1 Tim. 4:8)
24. A slothful man buries his hand in the bowl, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
    (Prov. 15:19   Prov. 26:15)
25. Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary;
    reprove one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
    (Prov. 9:8;   Prov. 21:11)
26. He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
    (Prov. 10:5;   Prov. 17:2)
27. Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge
28. A disreputable witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.   (Job 15:16)
29. Judgements are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.  (Prov. 26:3)

 

20:

1. Wine is a mocker (Gen. 9:21), intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
   (Eph. 5:18)
2. The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life. (Prov. 8:36)
3. It is honourable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.  (Prov. 17:14)
4. The sluggard will not plow because of winter (Prov. 10:4); therefore he will beg during the harvest and have nothing.  (Prov. 19:15)
5. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6. Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?  (Prov. 25:14)
7. The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.  (2 Cor. 1:12;  Ps. 37:26)
8. A king who sits on the throne of judgement scatters all evil with his eyes.  (Prov. 25:5)
9. Who can say, "I have made my heart clean (1 Kin. 8:46;   Job 15:14), I am pure from sin?"
10. Diverse weights and diverse measures (Deut. 25:14), they are both alike, an abomination to the Lord.
11. Even a child is known by his deeds, by whether what he does is pure and right.  (Matt. 7:16)
12. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord had made both of them.  (Ex. 4:11)
13. Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty (Rom. 12:11); open your eyes and you will be satisfied with bread.
14. "It is good for nothing," cries the buyer; but when he has gone his way, then he boasts.
15. There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16. Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger (Prov. 22:26), and hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.  (Prov. 11:15)
17. Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.  (Ezra 9:12;   Prov. 9:17)
18. Every purpose is established by counsel (Prov. 24:6); by wise counsel wage war.
19. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.  (Rom. 16:18)
20. Whoever curses his father or his mother (Matt. 15:4),
    his lamp will be put out in deep darkness.  (Job 18:5&6)
21. An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.
    (Prov. 12:11;   Prov. 13:11;   Prov. 28:20;   Hab. 2:6)
22. Do not say, "I will recompense evil;" wait for the Lord, and he will save you.  (2 Sam. 16:12)
23. Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, and a false balance is not good.
24. A man's steps are of the Lord; how then can a man understand his own way?
25. It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something a holy, and afterward to reconsider his vow.  (Eccl. 5:2)
26. A wise king sifts out the wicked, and brings the threshing wheel over them.  (Ps. 101:8)
27. The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord (1 Cor. 2:11), searching all the inner depths of his heart.
28. Mercy and truth preserve the king (Prov. 21:21), and by loving kindness he upholds his throne.
29. The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendour of old men is their grey head.
30. Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, as do stripes the inner depths of the heart.

 

21:

1. The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. (Prov. 16:2; Prov. 24:12)
3. To do righteousness and justice (1 Sam. 15:22) is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4. A haughty look, a proud heart (Prov. 6:17), and the plowing of the wicked are sin.
5. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty (Prov. 10:4),

but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.  (Prov. 28:22)
6. Getting treasures by a lying tongue (2 Pet. 2:3) is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7. The violence of the wicked will destroy them, because they refuse to do justice.
8. The way of a guilty man is perverse; but as for the pure, his work is right.
9. It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.  (Prov. 19:13)
10. The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.  (James 4:5)
11. When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.  (Prov. 19:25)
12. The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.  (Prov. 16:2)
13. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard.  (Matt. 7:2;   Matt. 18:30 - 34)
14. A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15. It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16. A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the congregation of the dead.  (Ps. 49:14)
17. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;  he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.  (Prov. 11:8;   Is. 43:3)
19. It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.  (Prov. 19:13)
20. There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.  (Ps. 112:3)
21. He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honour.  (Matt. 5:6;   Prov. 20:28)
22. A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the trusted stronghold.  (Eccl. 7:19)
23. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue (James 3:2) keeps his soul from troubles.  (Ps. 141:3;   Prov. 13:3)
24. A proud and haughty man - "Scoffer" is his name; he acts with arrogant pride.
25. The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labour.  (Prov. 13:4)
26. He covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and does not spare.  (Prov. 22:9)
27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with wicked intent!  (Jer. 6:20)
28. A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29. A wicked man hardens his face, but as for the upright, he establishes his way.  (Prov. 16:31)
30. There is no wisdom or understanding (Jer. 9:23 & 24) or counsel against the Lord.
31. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord.  (Ps. 3:8;   Ps. 33:17)

 

22:

1. A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favour rather than silver and gold.  (Eccl. 7:1)
2. The rich and the poor have this in common, the Lord is the maker of them all.  (Prov. 29:13;   Job 31:15)
3. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
   but the simple pass on and are punished.  (Prov. 27:12;   Prov. 14:16)
4. By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life.
5. Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards his soul will be far from them.  (Prov. 15:19)
6. Train up a child in the way he should go (Eph. 6:4), and 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.  (James 2:6)
8. He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail.  (Job 4:8;   Ps. 125:3)
9. He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.  (Prov. 19:17;   Prov. 21:26)
10. Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; yes, strife and reproach will cease.  (Ps. 101:5)
11. He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.
12. The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless.
13. The slothful man says, "there is a lion outside!  I shall be slain in the streets!"  (Prov. 26:13)
14. The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; he who is abhorred of the Lord will fall there.
    (Prov. 23:27;  Eccl. 7:26)
15. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.  (Prov. 29:15)
16. He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.
17. Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge;
18. For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your lips,
19. So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you.
20. Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge,  (Prov. 8:6)
21. That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth  (Luke 1:3&4),
    that you may answer words of truth   (1 Pet. 3:15) to those who send to you?
22. Do not rob the poor because he is poor, nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;  (Ex. 23:6)
23. For the Lord will plead their cause (1 Sam. 24:12), and plunder the soul of those who plunder them.  (Prov. 23:11)
24. Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go,  (Prov. 29:22)
25. Lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.
26. Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts;
    (Prov. 11:15;  Prov. 20:16)
27. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28. Do not remove the ancient landmark (Deut. 19:14) which your fathers have set.
29. Do you see a man who excels in his work?  He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.

 

23:

1. When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you;
2. And put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.
3. Do not desire  his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
4. Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!  (Matt. 6:19)
5. Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
   For riches certainly make themselves wings;
   they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.  (Ps. 119:37)
6. Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies;  (Ps. 141:4)
7. For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.  "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.  (Prov. 12:2)
8. The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, and waste your pleasant words.
9. Do not speak in the hearing of a fool (Matt. 7:6), for he will despise the wisdom of your words.  (Prov. 14:7)
10. Do not remove the ancient landmarks, nor enter the fields of the fatherless;
11. For their Redeemer is mighty; he will plead their cause against you.  (Prov. 22:23 )
12. Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.
13. Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.  (Prov. 13:24)
14. You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell.
15. My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice - indeed I myself;   (*!*)
16. Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.
17. Do not let your heart envy sinners (Ps. 37:1), but in the fear of the Lord continue all day long;
18. For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.
19. Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.
20. Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat;  (Is. 5:22;   Rom. 13:13)
21. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
22. Listen to your father who begot you (Prov. 1:8), and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23. Buy the truth, and do not sell it (Matt. 13:44), also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
24. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice (Prov. 10:1), and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
25. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.
26. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
27. For a harlot is a deep pit, and a seductress is a narrow well.  (Prov. 22:14)
28. She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the unfaithful among men.  (Prov. 7:12)
29. Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?  (Is. 5:11;   Is. 5:22 )
Who has redness of eyes?
30. Those who linger long at the wine (Eph. 5:18), those who go in search of mixed wine.  (Ps. 75:8;   Prov. 9:2)
31. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly;
32. At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.
33. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things.
34. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
35. "They have struck me, but I was not hurt (Jer. 5:3); they have beaten me, but I did not feel it.  When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?"

 

24:

1. Do not be envious of evil men (Ps. 1:1;   Ps. 37:1), nor desire to be with them;
2. For their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of trouble-making.
3. Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
4. By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5. A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;  (Prov. 21:22)
6. For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counsellors there is safety.  (Prov. 20:18)
7. Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate.  (Ps. 10:5)
8. He who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
9. The devising of foolishness is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10. If you faint in the day of adversity (Heb. 12:3), your strength is small.
11. Deliver those who are drawn toward death (Ps. 82:4), and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12. If you say, "Surely we did not know this," does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?  He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?  And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?  (Ps. 62:12;   Prov. 21:2)
13. My son, eat honey because it is good, and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;  (Song 5:1)
14. So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; if you have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope will not be cut off.  (Ps. 19:10)
15. Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not plunder his resting place;
16. For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.  (Mic. 7:8;   Esth. 7:10;   Ps. 34:19;   Ps. 37:24)
17. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls (Obad. 12), and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;  (Job 31:29)
18. Lest the Lord see it, and it displeases Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.
19. Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked;  (Ps. 37:1)
20. For there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.  (Prov. 13:9)
21. My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those given to change;  (1 Pet. 2:17)
22. For their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin those two can bring?
23. These things also belong to the wise:  It is not good to show partiality in judgement.   (Deut. 1:17   John 7:24   John 7:51)
24. He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous" (Is. 5:23), him the people will curse; nations will abhor him.
25. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and good blessing will come upon them.  (Prov. 28:23)
26. He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.
27. Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house.  (Prov. 27:23 - 27)
28. Do not be a witness against your neighbour without cause (Eph 4:25), for would you deceive with your lips?
29. Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
30. I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
31. And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. (Gen. 3:18)
32. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction:
33. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest;  (Prov. 6:9&10)
34. So your poverty will come like a prowler (Prov. 6:11), and your want like an armed man.

 

25:

1. These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:  (Prov. 10:1;   1 Kin. 4:32)
2. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter (Deut. 29:29), but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3. As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4. Take away the dross from silver (2 Tim. 2:21), and it will go to the silversmith for jewellery.
5. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.  (Prov. 16:12;   _20:8)
6. Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7. For it is better that he say to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince (Luke 14:7 - 11), whom your eyes have seen.
8. Do not go hastily to court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbour has put you to shame?
9. Debate your case with your neighbour himself, and do not disclose the secret to another;  (Matt. 18:15)
10. Lest he who hears it expose your shame, and your reputation be ruined.
11. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in setting of silver.  (Prov. 15:23)
12. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13. Like the cold of snow in time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.  (Prov. 13:17)
14. Whoever falsely boasts of giving is like clouds and wind without rain.   (Prov. 20:6; Jude 12)
15. By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone.  (Prov. 15:1;   Prov. 16:14)
16. Have you found honey?  Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled with it and vomit.
17. Seldom set foot in your neighbour's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18. A man who bears false witness against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.  (Ps. 57:4)
19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
20. Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, and like vinegar on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.  (Dan 6:18)
21. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;  (Rom. 12:20)
22. For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.  (2 Sam. 16:12)
23. The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.  (Ps. 101:5)
24. It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25. As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country.  (Prov. 15:30)
26. A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well.
27. It is not good to eat much honey; so to seek one's own glory is not glory.  (Prov. 27:2;   Rom. 12:3)
28. Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.  (Prov. 16:32)

 

26:

1. As snow in summer and rain in harvest, so honour is not fitting for a fool.  (1 Sam. 12:17)
2. Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight.  (Deut. 23:5)
3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool's back.  (Ps. 32:9;    Prov. 19:29)
4. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.  (Matt. 16:1 - 4)
6. He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7. Like the legs of the lame that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fools.
8. Like one who binds a stone to a sling is he who gives honour to a fool.
9. Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10. The great God who formed all things gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
11. As a dog returns to his own vomit (2 Pet. 2:22), so a fool repeats his folly.
12. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?  There is more hope for a fool than for him.  (Prov. 29:20;   Rev. 3:17)
13. The slothful man say, "there is a lion in the road!  A fierce lion in the streets!"  (Prov. 22:13)
14. As a door turns on its hinges, so does the slothful turn on his bed.
15. The slothful man buries his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.  (Prov. 19:24)
16. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17. He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18. Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19. Is the man who deceives his neighbour, and says, "I was only joking!"  (Eph. 5:4)
20. Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

(Prov. 15:18;  Prov. 29:22)
22. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.
23. Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
24. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself;
25. When he speaks kindly, do not believe him (Ps. 28:3), for here are seven abominations in his heart;
26. Though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the whole congregation.
27. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.  (Ps. 7:15;   Prov. 28:10;   Eccl. 10:8)
28. A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.  (Prov. 29:5)