NWT - 2013 Rbi8 - 1984

PROVERBS 1 Proverbs 1

1 The proverbs of Solʹo·mon, the son of David, the king of Israel:

1 The proverbs of Solʹo·mon the son of David, the king of Israel,

2 To learn wisdom and discipline;

2 for one to know wisdom and discipline,

To understand wise sayings; to discern the sayings of understanding,

3 To acquire the discipline that gives insight,

3 to receive the discipline that gives insight,

Righteousness, good judgment, and uprightness; righteousness and judgment and uprightness,

4 To impart shrewdness to the inexperienced;

4 to give to the inexperienced ones shrewdness,

To give a young man knowledge and thinking ability. to a young man knowledge and thinking ability.

5 A wise person listens and takes in more instruction;

5 A wise person will listen and take in more instruction,

A man of understanding acquires skillful direction and a man of understanding is the one who acquires skillful direction,

6 To understand a proverb and a puzzling saying,

6 to understand a proverb and a puzzling saying,

The words of the wise and their riddles. the words of wise persons and their riddles.

7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge.

7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge.

Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. Wisdom and discipline are what mere fools have despised.

8 Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father,

8 Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father,

And do not forsake the instruction of your mother. and do not forsake the law of your mother.

9 They are an attractive wreath for your head

9 For they are a wreath of attractiveness to your head

And a fine ornament for your neck. and a fine necklace to your throat.

10 My son, if sinners try to entice you, do not consent.

10 My son, if sinners try to seduce you, do not consent.

11 If they say: “Come with us.

11 If they keep saying: “Do go with us.

Let us set an ambush to shed blood. Do let us lie in ambush for blood.

We will lie hidden, waiting for innocent victims without cause. Do let us lie in concealment for the innocent men without any cause.

12 We will swallow them alive as the Grave does,

12 Let us swallow them down alive just like Sheʹol,

Whole, like those going down to the pit. even whole, like those going down into a pit.

13 Let us seize all their precious treasures;

13 Let us find all sorts of precious valuables.

We will fill our houses with spoil. Let us fill our houses with spoil.

14 You should join us,

14 Your lot you ought to cast in among us.

And we will all share equally what we steal.” Let there come to be just one bag belonging to all of us”—

15 My son, do not follow them.

15 my son, do not go in the way with them.

Keep your feet off their path, Hold back your foot from their roadway.

16 For their feet run to do evil;

16 For their feet are those that run to sheer badness,

They hurry to shed blood. and they keep hastening to shed blood.

17 It is surely in vain to spread a net in full sight of a bird.

17 For it is for nothing that the net is spread before the eyes of anything owning wings.

18 That is why these lie in ambush to shed blood;

18 Consequently they themselves lie in ambush for the very blood of these;

They lie hidden to take the lives of others. they lie in concealment for their souls.

19 These are the ways of those seeking dishonest profit,

19 Thus are the paths of everyone making unjust profit.

Which will take away the life of those who obtain it. It takes away the very soul of its owners.

20 True wisdom cries aloud in the street.

20 True wisdom itself keeps crying aloud in the very street.

It keeps raising its voice in the public squares. In the public squares it keeps giving forth its voice.

21 At the corner of the busy streets it calls out.

21 At the upper end of the noisy streets it calls out.

At the entrances of the city gates it says: At the entrances of the gates into the city it says its own sayings:

22 “How long will you inexperienced ones love inexperience?

22 “How long will YOU inexperienced ones keep loving inexperience,

How long will you ridiculers take pleasure in ridicule? and [how long] must YOU ridiculers desire for yourselves outright ridicule,

And how long will you foolish ones hate knowledge? and [how long] will YOU stupid ones keep hating knowledge?

23 Respond to my reproof.

23 Turn back at my reproof.

Then I will pour out my spirit for you; Then to YOU I will cause my spirit to bubble forth;

I will make my words known to you. I will make my words known to YOU.

24 Because I called out, but you kept refusing,

24 Because I have called out but YOU keep refusing,

I stretched out my hand, but no one was paying attention, I have stretched out my hand but there is no one paying attention,

25 You kept neglecting all my advice

25 and YOU keep neglecting all my counsel,

And rejecting my reproof, and my reproof YOU have not accepted,

26 I also will laugh when disaster strikes you;

26 I also, for my part, shall laugh at YOUR own disaster,

I will mock when what you dread comes, I shall mock when what YOU dread comes,

27 When what you dread comes like a storm,

27 when what YOU dread comes just like a storm,

And your disaster arrives like a storm wind, and YOUR own disaster gets here just like a storm wind,

When distress and trouble come upon you. when distress and hard times come upon YOU.

28 At that time they will keep calling me, but I will not answer;

28 At that time they will keep calling me, but I shall not answer;

They will eagerly look for me, but they will not find me, they will keep looking for me, but they will not find me,

29 Because they hated knowledge,

29 for the reason that they hated knowledge,

And they did not choose to fear Jehovah. and the fear of Jehovah they did not choose.

30 They refused my advice;

30 They did not consent to my counsel;

They disrespected all my reproof. they disrespected all my reproof.

31 So they will bear the consequences of their way,

31 So they will eat from the fruitage of their way,

And they will be glutted with their own counsel. and they will be glutted with their own counsels.

32 For the waywardness of the inexperienced will kill them,

32 For the renegading of the inexperienced ones is what will kill them,

And the complacency of fools will destroy them. and the easygoingness of the stupid is what will destroy them.

33 But the one listening to me will dwell in security 33 As for the one listening to me, he will reside in security

And be undisturbed by the dread of calamity.” and be undisturbed from dread of calamity.”

2 My son, if you accept my sayings 2 My son, if you will receive my sayings

And treasure up my commandments, and treasure up my own commandments with yourself,

2 By making your ear attentive to wisdom

2 so as to pay attention to wisdom with your ear,

And inclining your heart to discernment; that you may incline your heart to discernment;

3 Moreover, if you call out for understanding

3 if, moreover, you call out for understanding itself

And raise your voice for discernment; and you give forth your voice for discernment itself,

4 If you keep seeking for it as for silver,

4 if you keep seeking for it as for silver,

And you keep searching for it as for hidden treasures; and as for hid treasures you keep searching for it,

5 Then you will understand the fear of Jehovah,

5 in that case you will understand the fear of Jehovah,

And you will find the knowledge of God. and you will find the very knowledge of God.

6 For Jehovah himself gives wisdom;

6 For Jehovah himself gives wisdom;

From his mouth come knowledge and discernment. out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment.

7 He treasures up practical wisdom for the upright;

7 And for the upright ones he will treasure up practical wisdom;

He is a shield for those walking in integrity. for those walking in integrity he is a shield,

8 He watches over the paths of justice,

8 by observing the paths of judgment,

And he will guard the way of his loyal ones. and he will guard the very way of his loyal ones.

9 Then you will understand what is righteous and just and fair,

9 In that case you will understand righteousness and judgment and uprightness,

The entire course of what is good. the entire course of what is good.

10 When wisdom enters your heart

10 When wisdom enters into your heart

And knowledge becomes pleasant to your soul, and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul,

11 Thinking ability will keep watch over you,

11 thinking ability itself will keep guard over you,

And discernment will safeguard you, discernment itself will safeguard you,

12 To save you from the bad course,

12 to deliver you from the bad way,

From the man speaking perverse things, from the man speaking perverse things,

13 From those leaving the upright paths

13 from those leaving the paths of uprightness

To walk in the ways of darkness, to walk in the ways of darkness,

14 From those who rejoice in wrongdoing,

14 from those who are rejoicing in doing bad,

Who find joy in the perverseness of evil, who are joyful in the perverse things of badness;

15 Those whose paths are crooked

15 those whose paths are crooked

And whose entire course is devious. and who are devious in their general course;

16 It will save you from the wayward woman,

16 to deliver you from the strange woman,

From the smooth words of the immoral woman, from the foreign woman who has made her own sayings smooth,

17 Who abandons the close companion of her youth

17 who is leaving the confidential friend of her youth

And forgets the covenant of her God; and who has forgotten the very covenant of her God.

18 For her house sinks down into death,

18 For down to death her house does sink

And her paths lead to those powerless in death. and down to those impotent in death her tracks.

19 None of those having relations with her will return,

19 None of those having relations with her will come back,

Nor will they regain the pathways of life. nor will they regain the paths of those living.

20 So follow the way of good people

20 The purpose is that you may walk in the way of good people

And stay on the paths of the righteous, and that the paths of the righteous ones you may keep.

21 For only the upright will reside in the earth,

21 For the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth,

And the blameless will remain in it. and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it.

22 As for the wicked, they will be cut off from the earth,

22 As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth;

And the treacherous will be torn away from it. and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.

3 My son, do not forget my teaching, 3 My son, my law do not forget,

And may your heart observe my commandments, and my commandments may your heart observe,

2 Because they will add many days

2 because length of days

And years of life and peace to you. and years of life and peace will be added to you.

3 Do not let loyal love and faithfulness leave you.

3 May loving-kindness and trueness themselves not leave you.

Tie them around your neck; Tie them about your throat.

Write them on the tablet of your heart; Write them upon the tablet of your heart,

4 Then you will find favor and good insight

4 and so find favor and good insight

In the eyes of God and man. in the eyes of God and of earthling man.

5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart,

5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart

And do not rely on your own understanding. and do not lean upon your own understanding.

6 In all your ways take notice of him,

6 In all your ways take notice of him,

And he will make your paths straight. and he himself will make your paths straight.

7 Do not become wise in your own eyes.

7 Do not become wise in your own eyes.

Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad.

8 It will be a healing to your body

8 May it become a healing to your navel

And refreshment for your bones. and a refreshment to your bones.

9 Honor Jehovah with your valuable things,

9 Honor Jehovah with your valuable things

With the firstfruits of all your produce; and with the firstfruits of all your produce.

10 Then your storehouses will be completely filled,

10 Then your stores of supply will be filled with plenty;

And your vats will overflow with new wine. and with new wine your own press vats will overflow.

11 My son, do not reject the discipline of Jehovah,

11 The discipline of Jehovah, O my son,

And do not loathe his reproof, do not reject; and do not abhor his reproof,

12 For those whom Jehovah loves he reproves,

12 because the one whom Jehovah loves he reproves,

Just as a father does a son in whom he delights. even as a father does a son in whom he finds pleasure.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom

13 Happy is the man that has found wisdom,

And the man who acquires discernment; and the man that gets discernment,

14 To gain it is better than gaining silver,

14 for having it as gain is better than having silver as gain

And having it as profit is better than having gold. and having it as produce than gold itself.

15 It is more precious than corals;

15 It is more precious than corals,

Nothing you desire can compare to it. and all other delights of yours cannot be made equal to it.

16 Long life is in its right hand;

16 Length of days is in its right hand;

Riches and glory are in its left hand. in its left hand there are riches and glory.

17 Its ways are pleasant,

17 Its ways are ways of pleasantness,

And all its paths are peaceful. and all its roadways are peace.

18 It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it,

18 It is a tree of life to those taking hold of it,

And those who keep firm hold of it will be called happy. and those keeping fast hold of it are to be called happy.

19 Jehovah founded the earth in wisdom.

19 Jehovah himself in wisdom founded the earth.

He solidly established the heavens in discernment. He solidly fixed the heavens in discernment.

20 By his knowledge the watery deeps were split apart

20 By his knowledge the watery deeps themselves were split apart,

And the cloudy skies dripped with dew. and the cloudy skies keep dripping down light rain.

21 My son, do not lose sight of them.

21 My son, may they not get away from your eyes.

Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability; Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability,

22 They will give you life

22 and they will prove to be life

And be an adornment for your neck; to your soul and charm to your throat.

23 Then you will walk on your way in safety,

23 In that case you will walk in security on your way,

And your foot will never stumble. and even your foot will not strike against anything.

24 When you lie down, you will have no fear;

24 Whenever you lie down you will feel no dread;

You will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. and you will certainly lie down, and your sleep must be pleasurable.

25 You will not fear any sudden terror

25 You will not need to be afraid of any sudden dreadful thing,

Nor the storm that is coming on the wicked. nor of the storm upon the wicked ones, because it is coming.

26 For Jehovah will prove to be your source of confidence;

26 For Jehovah himself will prove to be, in effect, your confidence,

He will keep your foot from being caught. and he will certainly keep your foot against capture.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom you should give it

27 Do not hold back good from those to whom it is owing,

If it is within your power to help. when it happens to be in the power of your hand to do [it].

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away; come back later!

28 Do not say to your fellowman: “Go, and come back

I will give it to you tomorrow,” and tomorrow I shall give,”

If you can give it now. when there is something with you.

29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor

29 Do not fabricate against your fellowman anything bad,

When he lives in a sense of security with you. when he is dwelling in a sense of security with you.

30 Do not quarrel with a man for no reason

30 Do not quarrel with a man without cause,

If he has done nothing bad to you. if he has rendered no bad to you.

31 Do not envy the violent man

31 Do not become envious of the man of violence,

Nor choose any of his ways, nor choose any of his ways.

32 For Jehovah detests a devious person,

32 For the devious person is a detestable thing to Jehovah,

But His close friendship is with the upright. but His intimacy is with the upright ones.

33 The curse of Jehovah is on the house of the wicked one,

33 The curse of Jehovah is on the house of the wicked one,

But he blesses the home of the righteous. but the abiding place of the righteous ones he blesses.

34 For he mocks those who ridicule,

34 If it has to do with ridiculers, he himself will deride;

But he shows favor to the meek. but to the meek ones he will show favor.

35 The wise will inherit honor,

35 Honor is what the wise ones will come to possess,

But the stupid ones glorify dishonor. but the stupid ones are exalting dishonor.

4 Listen, my sons, to the discipline of a father; 4 Listen, O sons, to the discipline of a father and pay attention,

Pay attention in order to gain understanding, so as to know understanding.

2 For I will give you good instruction;

2 For good instruction is what I certainly shall give to YOU.

Do not forsake my teaching. My law DO not leave.

3 I was a true son to my father

3 For I proved to be a real son to my father,

And the one especially loved by my mother. tender and the only one before my mother.

4 He taught me and said: “May your heart hold fast to my words.

4 And he would instruct me and say to me: “May your heart keep fast hold of my words.

Keep my commandments and continue living. Keep my commandments and continue living.

5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding.

5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding.

Do not forget, and do not turn aside from what I say. Do not forget, and do not turn aside from the sayings of my mouth.

6 Do not forsake it, and it will protect you.

6 Do not leave it, and it will keep you.

Love it, and it will safeguard you. Love it, and it will safeguard you.

7 Wisdom is the most important thing, so acquire wisdom,

7 Wisdom is the prime thing. Acquire wisdom;

And with all you acquire, acquire understanding. and with all that you acquire, acquire understanding.

8 Highly esteem it, and it will exalt you.

8 Highly esteem it, and it will exalt you.

It will honor you because you embrace it. It will glorify you because you embrace it.

9 It will place an attractive wreath on your head;

9 To your head it will give a wreath of charm;

It will adorn you with a crown of beauty.” a crown of beauty it will bestow upon you.”

10 Listen, my son, and accept my sayings,

10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings.

And the years of your life will be many. Then for you the years of life will become many.

11 I will instruct you in the way of wisdom;

11 I will instruct you even in the way of wisdom;

I will lead you in the tracks of uprightness. I will cause you to tread in the tracks of uprightness.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered;

12 When you walk, your pace will not be cramped;

And if you run, you will not stumble. and if you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to discipline; do not let it go.

13 Take hold on discipline; do not let go.

Safeguard it, for it means your life. Safeguard it, for it itself is your life.

14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,

14 Into the path of the wicked ones do not enter,

And do not walk in the way of evil men. and do not walk straight on into the way of the bad ones.

15 Shun it, do not take it;

15 Shun it, do not pass along by it;

Turn away from it, and pass it by. turn aside from it, and pass along.

16 For they cannot sleep unless they do what is bad.

16 For they do not sleep unless they do badness,

They are robbed of sleep unless they cause someone’s downfall. and their sleep has been snatched away unless they cause someone to stumble.

17 They feed themselves with the bread of wickedness,

17 For they have fed themselves with the bread of wickedness,

And they drink the wine of violence. and the wine of acts of violence is what they drink.

18 But the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light

18 But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light

That grows brighter and brighter until full daylight. that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.

19 The way of the wicked is like the darkness;

19 The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom;

They do not know what makes them stumble. they have not known at what they keep stumbling.

20 My son, pay attention to my words;

20 My son, to my words do pay attention.

Listen carefully to my sayings. To my sayings incline your ear.

21 Do not lose sight of them;

21 May they not get away from your eyes.

Keep them deep within your heart, Keep them in the midst of your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them

22 For they are life to those finding them

And health to their whole body. and health to all their flesh.

23 Above all the things that you guard, safeguard your heart,

23 More than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart,

For out of it are the sources of life. for out of it are the sources of life.

24 Put crooked speech away from you,

24 Remove from yourself the crookedness of speech;

And keep devious talk far away from you. and the deviousness of lips put far away from yourself.

25 Your eyes should look straight ahead,

25 As for your eyes, straight ahead they should look,

Yes, fix your gaze straight ahead of you. yes, your own beaming eyes should gaze straight in front of you.

26 Smooth out the course of your feet,

26 Smooth out the course of your foot,

And all your ways will be sure. and may all your own ways be firmly established.

27 Do not incline to the right or the left.

27 Do not incline to the right hand or to the left.

Turn your feet away from what is bad. Remove your foot from what is bad.

5 My son, pay attention to my wisdom. 5 My son, to my wisdom O do pay attention.

Listen carefully to my discernment, To my discernment incline your ears,

2 So that you may guard your thinking abilities

2 so as to guard thinking abilities;

And safeguard knowledge with your lips. and may your own lips safeguard knowledge itself.

3 For the lips of a wayward woman drip like a honeycomb,

3 For as a honeycomb the lips of a strange woman keep dripping,

And her mouth is smoother than oil. and her palate is smoother than oil.

4 But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood

4 But the aftereffect from her is as bitter as wormwood;

And as sharp as a two-edged sword. it is as sharp as a two-edged sword.

5 Her feet descend into death.

5 Her feet are descending to death.

Her steps lead straight to the Grave. Her very steps take hold on Sheʹol itself.

6 She gives no thought to the path of life.

6 The path of life she does not contemplate.

Her course wanders, but she does not know where. Her tracks have wandered she does not know [where].

7 Now, my sons, listen to me

7 So now, O sons, listen to me

And do not turn away from what I am saying. and do not turn away from the sayings of my mouth.

8 Stay far away from her;

8 Keep your way far off from alongside her,

Do not go near the entrance of her house, and do not get near to the entrance of her house,

9 So that you may not give your dignity to others

9 that you may not give to others your dignity,

Nor reap years of what is cruel; nor your years to what is cruel;

10 So that strangers may not drain your resources

10 that strangers may not satisfy themselves with your power,

And what you labored for go to the house of a foreigner. nor the things you got by pain be in the house of a foreigner,

11 Otherwise, you will groan at the end of your life

11 nor you have to groan in your future when your flesh

When your flesh and body waste away and your organism come to an end.

12 And you say: “How I hated discipline!

12 And you will have to say: “How I have hated discipline

How my heart despised reproof! and my heart has disrespected even reproof!

13 I did not listen to the voice of my instructors

13 And I have not listened to the voice of my instructors,

Or pay attention to my teachers. and to my teachers I have not inclined my ear.

14 I have come to the brink of complete ruin

14 Easily I have come to be in every sort of badness

In the midst of the entire congregation.” in the midst of the congregation and of the assembly.”

15 Drink water from your own cistern

15 Drink water out of your own cistern,

And flowing water from your own well. and tricklings out of the midst of your own well.

16 Should your springs be dispersed outside,

16 Should your springs be scattered out of doors,

Your streams of water in the public squares? [your] streams of water in the public squares themselves?

17 Let them be for you alone,

17 Let them prove to be for you alone,

And not for strangers with you. and not for strangers with you.

18 May your own fountain be blessed,

18 Let your water source prove to be blessed,

And may you rejoice with the wife of your youth, and rejoice with the wife of your youth,

19 A loving doe, a graceful mountain goat.

19 a lovable hind and a charming mountain goat.

Let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Let her own breasts intoxicate you at all times.

May you be captivated by her love constantly. With her love may you be in an ecstasy constantly.

20 So why, my son, should you be captivated by a wayward woman

20 So why should you, my son, be in an ecstasy with a strange woman

Or embrace the bosom of an immoral woman? or embrace the bosom of a foreign woman?

21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah;

21 For the ways of man are in front of the eyes of Jehovah,

He examines all his paths. and he is contemplating all his tracks.

22 The wicked one is ensnared by his own errors,

22 His own errors will catch the wicked one,

And he will be caught in the ropes of his own sin. and in the ropes of his own sin he will be taken hold of.

23 He will die for lack of discipline

23 He will be the one to die because there is no discipline,

And go astray because of his excessive foolishness. and [because] in the abundance of his foolishness he goes astray.

6 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, 6 My son, if you have gone surety for your fellowman,

If you have given your handshake to a stranger, [if] you have given your handshake even to the stranger,

2 If you have been ensnared by your promise,

2 [if] you have been ensnared by the sayings of your mouth,

Caught by the words of your mouth, [if] you have been caught by the sayings of your mouth,

3 Do this, my son, and free yourself,

3 take this action then, my son, and deliver yourself,

For you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor: for you have come into the palm of your fellowman:

Go and humble yourself and urgently plead with your neighbor. Go humble yourself and storm your fellowman with importunities.

4 Do not allow your eyes to sleep,

4 Do not give any sleep to your eyes,

Nor your eyelids to slumber. nor any slumber to your beaming eyes.

5 Free yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand,

5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand

Like a bird from the hand of the birdcatcher. and like a bird from the hand of the birdcatcher.

6 Go to the ant, you lazy one;

6 Go to the ant, you lazy one;

Observe its ways and become wise. see its ways and become wise.

7 Although it has no commander, officer, or ruler,

7 Although it has no commander, officer or ruler,

8 It prepares its food in the summer,

8 it prepares its food even in the summer;

And it gathers its food supplies in the harvest. it has gathered its food supplies even in the harvest.

9 How long, you lazy one, will you lie there?

9 How long, you lazy one, will you keep lying down?

When will you rise up from your sleep? When will you rise up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumbering,

10 A little more sleep, a little more slumbering,

A little folding of the hands to rest, a little more folding of the hands in lying down,

11 And your poverty will come like a bandit,

11 and your poverty will certainly come just like some rover,

And your want like an armed man. and your want like an armed man.

12 A useless and wicked man walks about with crooked speech;

12 A good-for-nothing man, a man of hurtfulness, is walking with crookedness of speech,

13 He winks with his eye, signals with his foot, and motions with his fingers.

13 winking with his eye, making signs with his foot, making indications with his fingers.

14 With a perverted heart,

14 Perverseness is in his heart.

He is always scheming evil and spreading contentions. He is fabricating something bad all the time. He keeps sending out merely contentions.

15 Therefore, his disaster will come suddenly;

15 That is why suddenly there will come his disaster;

In a moment he will be broken beyond healing. in an instant he will be broken, and there will be no healing.

16 There are six things that Jehovah hates;

16 There are six things that Jehovah does hate;

Yes, seven things that he detests: yes, seven are things detestable to his soul:

17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

17 lofty eyes, a false tongue, and hands that are shedding innocent blood,

18 A heart plotting wicked schemes, and feet that run quickly to evil,

18 a heart fabricating hurtful schemes, feet that are in a hurry to run to badness,

19 A false witness who lies with every breath,

19 a false witness that launches forth lies,

And anyone sowing contentions among brothers. and anyone sending forth contentions among brothers.

20 Observe, my son, the commandment of your father,

20 Observe, O my son, the commandment of your father,

And do not forsake the instruction of your mother. and do not forsake the law of your mother.

21 Always bind them around your heart;

21 Tie them upon your heart constantly;

Tie them about your neck. bind them upon your throat.

22 When you walk about, it will lead you;

22 When you walk about, it will lead you;

When you lie down, it will stand guard over you; when you lie down, it will stand guard over you;

And when you awaken, it will speak to you. and when you have waked up, it itself will make you its concern.

23 For the commandment is a lamp,

23 For the commandment is a lamp,

And the law is a light, and a light the law is,

And the reproofs of discipline are the way to life. and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

24 They will guard you against the bad woman,

24 to guard you against the bad woman,

Against the seductive tongue of the immoral woman. against the smoothness of the tongue of the foreign woman.

25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart

25 Do not desire her prettiness in your heart,

Or allow her to captivate you with her alluring eyes, and may she not take you with her lustrous eyes,

26 For because of a prostitute, a man is reduced to a loaf of bread,

26 because in behalf of a woman prostitute [one comes down] to a round loaf of bread;

But the wife of another man preys on a precious life. but as regards another man’s wife, she hunts even for a precious soul.

27 Can a man rake fire to his chest and not burn his garments?

27 Can a man rake together fire into his bosom and yet his very garments not be burned?

28 Or can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?

28 Or can a man walk upon the coals and his feet themselves not be scorched?

29 It is the same with anyone having relations with his neighbor’s wife;

29 Likewise with anyone having relations with the wife of his fellowman,

No one who touches her will go unpunished. no one touching her will remain unpunishable.

30 People do not despise a thief

30 People do not despise a thief

If he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry. just because he commits thievery to fill his soul when he is hungry.

31 Yet, when found, he will repay sevenfold;

31 But, when found, he will make it good with seven times as much;

He will give up all the valuables of his house. all the valuables of his house he will give.

32 Anyone committing adultery with a woman is lacking good sense;

32 Anyone committing adultery with a woman is in want of heart;

The one who does so brings ruin on himself. he that does it is bringing his own soul to ruin.

33 He will get only wounds and dishonor,

33 A plague and dishonor he will find,

And his disgrace will not be wiped away. and his reproach itself will not be wiped out.

34 For jealousy makes a husband furious;

34 For the rage of an able-bodied man is jealousy,

He will show no compassion when he takes revenge. and he will not show compassion in the day of vengeance.

35 He will accept no compensation;

35 He will have no consideration for any sort of ransom,

He will not be appeased, no matter how large you make the gift. neither will he show willingness, no matter how large you make the present.

7 My son, keep my sayings, 7 My son, keep my sayings,

And treasure up my commandments. and may you treasure up my own commandments with you.

2 Keep my commandments and live;

2 Keep my commandments and continue living,

Guard my instruction like the pupil of your eye. and my law like the pupil of your eyes.

3 Tie them around your fingers;

3 Tie them upon your fingers,

Write them on the tablet of your heart. and write them upon the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

4 Say to wisdom: “You are my sister”;

And call understanding “my relative,” and may you call understanding itself “Kinswoman,”

5 To guard you against the wayward woman,

5 to guard you against the woman stranger,

Against the immoral woman and her smooth words. against the foreigner who has made her own sayings smooth.

6 From the window of my house,

6 For at the window of my house,

Through my lattice, I looked down, through my lattice I looked down,

7 And as I observed the naive ones,

7 that I might peer upon the inexperienced ones.

I discerned among the youths a young man lacking good sense. I was interested in discerning among the sons a young man in want of heart,

8 He passed along the street near her corner,

8 passing along on the street near her corner,

And he marched in the direction of her house and in the way to her house he marches,

9 In the twilight, in the evening,

9 in the twilight, in the evening of the day,

At the approach of night and darkness. at the approach of the night and the gloom.

10 Then I saw a woman meet him,

10 And, look! there was a woman to meet him,

Dressed like a prostitute, with a cunning heart. with the garment of a prostitute and cunning of heart.

11 She is loud and defiant.

11 She is boisterous and stubborn.

She never stays at home. In her house her feet do not keep residing.

12 One moment she is outside, next she is in the public squares,

12 Now she is outdoors, now she is in the public squares,

She lurks near every corner. and near every corner she lies in wait.

13 She grabs hold of him and gives him a kiss;

13 And she has grabbed hold of him and given him a kiss.

With a bold face, she says to him: She has put on a bold face, and she begins to say to him:

14 “I had to offer communion sacrifices.

14 “Communion sacrifices were incumbent upon me.

Today I paid my vows. Today I have paid my vows.

15 That is why I came out to meet you,

15 That is why I have come out to meet you,

To look for you, and I found you! to look for your face, that I may find you.

16 I have spread fine covers upon my bed,

16 With coverlets I have bedecked my divan,

Colorful linen from Egypt. with many-colored things, linen of Egypt.

17 I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

17 I have besprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us drink our fill of love until the morning;

18 Do come, let us drink our fill of love until the morning;

Let us enjoy passionate love together, do let us enjoy each other with love expressions.

19 For my husband is not at home;

19 For the husband is not in his house;

He has gone on a distant journey. he has gone traveling on a way of some distance.

20 He took a bag of money with him,

20 A bag of money he has taken in his hand.

And he will not return until the day of the full moon.” On the day of the full moon he will come to his house.”

21 She misleads him with great persuasiveness.

21 She has misled him by the abundance of her persuasiveness.

She seduces him with smooth speech. By the smoothness of her lips she seduces him.

22 Suddenly he goes after her, like a bull to the slaughter,

22 All of a sudden he is going after her,

Like a fool to be punished in the stocks, like a bull that comes even to the slaughter,

23 Until an arrow pierces his liver; and just as if fettered for the discipline of a foolish man,

Like a bird rushing into a trap,23

until an arrow cleaves open his liver, just as a bird hastens into the trap,

he does not know that it will cost him his life. and he has not known that it involves his very soul.

24 And now, my sons, listen to me;

24 And now, O sons, listen to me

Pay attention to the words I speak. and pay attention to the sayings of my mouth.

25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways.

25 May your heart not turn aside to her ways.

Do not stray onto her paths, Do not wander into her roadways.

26 For she has caused many to fall down slain,

26 For many are the ones she has caused to fall down slain,

And those she has killed are numerous. and all those being killed by her are numerous.

27 Her house leads to the Grave;

27 The ways to Sheʹol her house is;

It goes down to the inner chambers of death. they are descending to the interior rooms of death.

8 Is not wisdom calling out? 8 Does not wisdom keep calling out,

Is not discernment raising its voice? and discernment keep giving forth its voice?

2 On the heights along the road,

2 On top of the heights, by the way,

It takes its position at the crossroads. at the crossing of the roadways it has stationed itself.

3 Next to the gates leading into the city,

3 At the side of the gates, at the mouth of the town,

At the entrances of the doorways, at the going in of the entrances

It keeps crying out loudly: it keeps crying loudly:

4 “To you, O people, I am calling;

4 “To YOU, O men, I am calling,

I raise my voice to everyone. and my voice is to the sons of men.

5 You inexperienced ones, learn shrewdness;

5 O inexperienced ones, understand shrewdness;

You stupid ones, acquire an understanding heart. and YOU stupid ones, understand heart.

6 Listen, for what I say is important,

6 Listen, for it is about the foremost things that I speak,

My lips speak what is right; and the opening of my lips is about uprightness.

7 For my mouth softly utters truth,

7 For my palate in low tones utters truth itself;

And my lips detest what is wicked. and wickedness is something detestable to my lips.

8 All the sayings of my mouth are righteous.

8 All the sayings of my mouth are in righteousness.

None of them are twisted or crooked. Among them there is nothing twisted or crooked.

9 They are all straightforward to the discerning

9 All of them are straight to the discerning one,

And right to those who have found knowledge. and upright to the ones finding knowledge.

10 Take my discipline instead of silver,

10 TAKE my discipline and not silver,

And knowledge rather than the finest gold, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11 For wisdom is better than corals;

11 For wisdom is better than corals,

All other desirable things cannot compare to it. and all other delights themselves cannot be made equal to it.

12 I, wisdom, dwell together with shrewdness;

12 “I, wisdom, I have resided with shrewdness

I have found knowledge and thinking ability. and I find even the knowledge of thinking abilities.

13 The fear of Jehovah means the hating of bad.

13 The fear of Jehovah means the hating of bad.

I hate self-exaltation and pride and the evil way and perverse speech. Self-exaltation and pride and the bad way and the perverse mouth I have hated.

14 I possess good advice and practical wisdom;

14 I have counsel and practical wisdom.

Understanding and power are mine. I—understanding; I have mightiness.

15 By me kings keep reigning,

15 By me kings themselves keep reigning,

And high officials decree righteousness. and high officials themselves keep decreeing righteousness.

16 By me princes keep ruling,

16 By me princes themselves keep ruling as princes,

And nobles judge in righteousness. and nobles are all judging in righteousness.

17 I love those loving me,

17 Those loving me I myself love,

And those seeking me will find me. and those looking for me are the ones that find me.

18 Riches and glory are with me,

18 Riches and glory are with me,

Lasting wealth and righteousness. hereditary values and righteousness.

19 My fruitage is better than gold, even refined gold,

19 My fruitage is better than gold, even than refined gold,

And what I produce is better than the finest silver. and my produce than choice silver.

20 I walk in the path of righteousness,

20 In the path of righteousness I walk,

In the middle of the pathways of justice; in the middle of the roadways of judgment,

21 I give a rich inheritance to those who love me,

21 to cause those loving me to take possession of substance;

And I fill up their storehouses. and their storehouses I keep filled.

22 Jehovah produced me as the beginning of his way,

22 “Jehovah himself produced me as the beginning of his way,

The earliest of his achievements of long ago. the earliest of his achievements of long ago.

23 From ancient times I was installed,

23 From time indefinite I was installed, from the start,

From the start, from times earlier than the earth. from times earlier than the earth.

24 When there were no deep waters, I was brought forth,

24 When there were no watery deeps I was brought forth as with labor pains,

When there were no springs overflowing with water. when there were no springs heavily charged with water.

25 Before the mountains were set in place,

25 Before the mountains themselves had been settled down,

Before the hills, I was brought forth, ahead of the hills, I was brought forth as with labor pains,

26 When he had not yet made the earth and its fields

26 when as yet he had not made the earth and the open spaces

Or the first clods of earth’s soil. and the first part of the dust masses of the productive land.

27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there;

27 When he prepared the heavens I was there;

When he marked out the horizon on the surface of the waters, when he decreed a circle upon the face of the watery deep,

28 When he established the clouds above,

28 when he made firm the cloud masses above,

When he founded the fountains of the deep, when he caused the fountains of the watery deep to be strong,

29 When he set a decree for the sea

29 when he set for the sea his decree

That its waters should not pass beyond his order, that the waters themselves should not pass beyond his order,

When he established the foundations of the earth, when he decreed the foundations of the earth,

30 Then I was beside him as a master worker.

30 then I came to be beside him as a master worker,

I was the one he was especially fond of day by day; and I came to be the one he was specially fond of day by day,

I rejoiced before him all the time; I being glad before him all the time,

31 I rejoiced over his habitable earth,

31 being glad at the productive land of his earth,

And I was especially fond of the sons of men. and the things I was fond of were with the sons of men.

32 And now, my sons, listen to me;

32 “And now, O sons, listen to me;

Yes, happy are those who keep my ways. yes, happy are the ones that keep my very ways.

33 Listen to discipline and become wise,

33 Listen to discipline and become wise,

And never neglect it. and do not show any neglect.

34 Happy is the man who listens to me

34 Happy is the man that is listening to me

By coming early to my doors day by day, by keeping awake at my doors day by day,

By waiting next to my doorposts; by watching at the posts of my entrances.

35 For the one finding me will find life,

35 For the one finding me will certainly find life,

And he receives approval from Jehovah. and gets goodwill from Jehovah.

36 But the one who ignores me harms himself,

36 But the one missing me is doing violence to his soul;

And those who hate me love death.” all those intensely hating me are the ones that do love death.”

9 True wisdom has built its house; 9 True wisdom has built its house;

It has carved out its seven pillars. it has hewn out its seven pillars.

2 It has fully prepared its meat;

2 It has organized its meat slaughtering;

It has mixed its wine; it has mixed its wine;

It has also arranged its table. more than that, it has set in order its table.

3 It has sent out its female servants

3 It has sent forth its lady attendants,

To call out from the heights above the city: that it may call out on top of the heights of the town:

4 “Whoever is inexperienced, let him come in here.”

4 “Whoever is inexperienced, let him turn aside here.

She says to the one lacking good sense: ” Whoever is in want of heart—she has said to him:

5 “Come, eat my bread

5 “Come, feed yourselves with my bread

And share in drinking the wine that I have mixed. and share in drinking the wine that I have mixed.

6 Leave behind your inexperience and live;

6 Leave the inexperienced ones and keep living,

Walk forward in the way of understanding.” and walk straight in the way of understanding.”

7 The one who corrects a ridiculer invites dishonor,

7 He that is correcting the ridiculer is taking to himself dishonor,

And whoever reproves someone wicked will get hurt. and he that is giving a reproof to someone wicked—a defect in him.

8 Do not reprove a ridiculer, or he will hate you.

8 Do not reprove a ridiculer, that he may not hate you.

Reprove a wise person, and he will love you. Give a reproof to a wise person and he will love you.

9 Share with a wise person, and he will become wiser.

9 Give to a wise person and he will become still wiser.

Teach someone righteous, and he will add to his learning. Impart knowledge to someone righteous and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom,

10 The fear of Jehovah is the start of wisdom,

And knowledge of the Most Holy One is understanding. and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is what understanding is.

11 For by me your days will be many,

11 For by me your days will become many,

And years will be added to your life. and to you years of life will be added.

12 If you become wise, you are wise to your own advantage,

12 If you have become wise, you have become wise in your own behalf;

But if you are a ridiculer, you alone will bear it. and if you have ridiculed, you will bear [it], just you alone.

13 A stupid woman is loud.

13 A woman of stupidity is boisterous.

She is ignorant and knows absolutely nothing. She is simplemindedness itself and has come to know nothing whatever.

14 She sits at the entrance of her house

14 And she has seated herself at the entrance of her house,

On a seat in the high places of the city, upon a seat, [in] the high places of the town,

15 Calling out to those passing by,

15 to call out to those passing along the way,

To those walking straight ahead on their way: those who are going straight ahead on their paths:

16 “Whoever is inexperienced, let him come in here.”

16 “Whoever is inexperienced, let him turn aside here.”

She says to those lacking good sense: And whoever is in want of heart—she has also said to him:

17 “Stolen waters are sweet,

17 “Stolen waters themselves are sweet,

And food eaten in secret is pleasant.” and bread [eaten] in secrecy—it is pleasant.”

18 But he does not know that those powerless in death are there,

18 But he has not come to know that those impotent in death are there,

That her guests are in the depths of the Grave. that those called in by her are in the low places of Sheʹol.

10 Proverbs of Solʹo·mon. 10 Proverbs of Solʹo·mon.

A wise son makes his father rejoice, A wise son is the one that makes a father rejoice,

But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. and a stupid son is the grief of his mother.

2 The treasures gained by wickedness will be of no benefit,

2 The treasures of the wicked one will be of no benefit,

But righteousness is what rescues from death. but righteousness is what will deliver from death.

3 Jehovah will not cause the righteous one to go hungry,

3 Jehovah will not cause the soul of the righteous one to go hungry,

But he will deny the wicked what they crave. but the craving of the wicked ones he will push away.

4 Idle hands will cause poverty,

4 The one working with a slack hand will be of little means,

But diligent hands bring riches. but the hand of the diligent one is what will make one rich.

5 The son acting with insight gathers the crop in summer,

5 The son acting with insight is gathering during the summertime;

But the son acting shamefully is fast asleep during the harvest. the son acting shamefully is fast asleep during the harvest.

6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous one,

6 Blessings are for the head of the righteous one,

But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. but as regards the mouth of the wicked ones, it covers up violence.

7 The memory of the righteous one is due for a blessing,

7 The remembrance of the righteous one is due for a blessing,

But the name of the wicked will rot. but the very name of the wicked ones will rot.

8 The wisehearted person will accept instructions,

8 The one wise in heart will accept commandments,

But the one speaking foolishly will be trodden down. but the one foolish with his lips will be trodden down.

9 The one walking in integrity will walk in security,

9 He that is walking in integrity will walk in security,

But the one making his ways crooked will be found out. but he that is making his ways crooked will make himself known.

10 The one who slyly winks his eye causes grief,

10 The one winking his eye will give pain,

And the one who speaks foolishly will be trodden down. and the one foolish with his lips will be trodden down.

11 The mouth of the righteous one is a source of life,

11 The mouth of the righteous one is a source of life;

But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. but as regards the mouth of the wicked ones, it covers up violence.

12 Hatred is what stirs up contentions,

12 Hatred is what stirs up contentions,

But love covers over all transgressions. but love covers over even all transgressions.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning person,

13 On the lips of the understanding person wisdom is found,

But the rod is for the back of one lacking good sense. but the rod is for the back of one in want of heart.

14 Those who are wise treasure up knowledge,

14 The wise are the ones that treasure up knowledge,

But the mouth of the fool invites ruin. but the mouth of the foolish one is near to ruin itself.

15 The wealth of a rich man is his fortified city.

15 The valuable things of a rich man are his strong town.

The ruin of the poor is their poverty. The ruin of the lowly ones is their poverty.

16 The activity of the righteous one leads to life;

16 The activity of the righteous one results in life;

But the produce of the wicked one leads to sin. the produce of the wicked one results in sin.

17 The one who heeds discipline is a path to life,

17 He that is holding to discipline is a path to life,

But the one who ignores reproof leads others astray. but he that is leaving reproof is causing to wander.

18 The one who conceals his hatred speaks lies,

18 Where there is one covering over hatred there are lips of falsehood,

And the one spreading malicious reports is stupid. and the one bringing forth a bad report is stupid.

19 When words are many, transgression cannot be avoided,

19 In the abundance of words there does not fail to be transgression,

But whoever controls his lips acts discreetly. but the one keeping his lips in check is acting discreetly.

20 The tongue of the righteous one is like the finest silver,

20 The tongue of the righteous one is choice silver;

But the heart of the wicked one is worth little. the heart of the wicked one is worth little.

21 The lips of the righteous one nourish many,

21 The very lips of the righteous one keep pasturing many,

But the foolish die for lack of sense. but for want of heart the foolish themselves keep dying.

22 It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich,

22 The blessing of Jehovah—that is what makes rich,

And He adds no pain with it. and he adds no pain with it.

23 Engaging in shameful conduct is like a game to the stupid one,

23 To the stupid one the carrying on of loose conduct is like sport,

But wisdom is for the man of discernment. but wisdom is for the man of discernment.

24 What the wicked one fears will come upon him;

24 The thing frightful to the wicked one—that is what will come to him;

But the desire of the righteous will be granted. but the desire of the righteous ones will be granted.

25 When the storm passes by, the wicked one will be no more,

25 As when the storm wind passes over, so the wicked one is no more;

But the righteous one is a foundation forever. but the righteous one is a foundation to time indefinite.

26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

26 As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes,

So the lazy person is to the one who sends him. so the lazy man is to those sending him forth.

27 The fear of Jehovah prolongs life,

27 The very fear of Jehovah will add days,

But the years of the wicked will be cut short. but the years themselves of the wicked ones will be cut short.

28 The expectation of the righteous brings joy,

28 The expectation of the righteous ones is a rejoicing,

But the hope of the wicked will perish. but the very hope of the wicked ones will perish.

29 The way of Jehovah is a stronghold for the blameless one,

29 The way of Jehovah is a stronghold for the blameless one,

But it means ruin for evildoers. but ruin is for the practicers of what is hurtful.

30 The righteous one will never be made to fall,

30 As for the righteous one, to time indefinite he will not be caused to stagger;

But the wicked will no longer inhabit the earth. but as for the wicked ones, they will not keep residing on the earth.

31 The mouth of the righteous one produces wisdom,

31 The mouth of the righteous one—it bears the fruit of wisdom,

But the perverse tongue will be cut off. but the tongue of perverseness will be cut off.

32 The lips of the righteous one know what is pleasing,

32 The lips of the righteous one—they come to know goodwill,

But the mouth of the wicked is perverse. but the mouth of the wicked ones is perverseness.

11 Dishonest scales are detestable to Jehovah, 11 A cheating pair of scales is something detestable to Jehovah,

But an accurate weight brings pleasure to him. but a complete stone-weight is a pleasure to him.

2 When presumptuousness comes, dishonor will follow,

2 Has presumptuousness come? Then dishonor will come;

But wisdom is with the modest ones. but wisdom is with the modest ones.

3 The integrity of the upright is what guides them,

3 The integrity of the upright ones is what leads them,

But the deviousness of the treacherous will destroy them. but distortion by those dealing treacherously will despoil them.

4 Wealth will be of no benefit on the day of fury,

4 Valuable things will be of no benefit on the day of fury,

But righteousness is what will rescue from death. but righteousness itself will deliver from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless one makes his path straight,

5 The righteousness of the blameless one is what will make his way straight,

But the wicked one will fall because of his own wickedness. but in his own wickedness the wicked one will fall.

6 The righteousness of the upright will rescue them,

6 The righteousness of the upright ones is what will deliver them,

But the treacherous will be caught by their own desires. but by their craving those dealing treacherously will themselves be caught.

7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes;

7 When a wicked man dies, [his] hope perishes;

And expectations based on his power also perish. and even expectation [based] on powerfulness has perished.

8 The righteous one is rescued from distress,

8 The righteous is the one rescued even from distress,

And the wicked one takes his place. and the wicked one comes in instead of him.

9 By his mouth the apostate brings his neighbor to ruin,

9 By [his] mouth the one who is an apostate brings his fellowman to ruin,

But by knowledge the righteous are rescued. but by knowledge are the righteous rescued.

10 The goodness of the righteous makes a city rejoice,

10 Because of the goodness of the righteous ones a town is elated,

And when the wicked perish, there is a joyful cry. but when the wicked ones perish there is a joyful cry.

11 Because of the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

11 Because of the blessing of the upright ones a town is exalted,

But the mouth of the wicked tears it down. but because of the mouth of the wicked ones it gets torn down.

12 Whoever is lacking good sense shows contempt for his neighbor,

12 The one in want of heart has despised his own fellowman,

But the man of true discernment remains silent. but the man of broad discernment is one that keeps silent.

13 A slanderer goes about revealing confidential talk,

13 The one walking about as a slanderer is uncovering confidential talk,

But the trustworthy person keeps a confidence. but the one faithful in spirit is covering over a matter.

14 When there is no skillful direction, the people fall,

14 When there is no skillful direction, the people fall;

But there is success through many advisers. but there is salvation in the multitude of counselors.

15 Whoever guarantees a loan for a stranger is sure to fare badly,

15 One will positively fare badly because he has gone surety for a stranger,

But whoever avoids shaking hands in a pledge will be secure. but the one hating handshaking is keeping carefree.

16 A gracious woman acquires glory,

16 A woman of charm is the one that takes hold of glory;

But ruthless men seize riches. but the tyrants, for their part, take hold of riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself,

17 A man of loving-kindness is dealing rewardingly with his own soul,

But the cruel person brings trouble on himself. but the cruel person is bringing ostracism upon his own organism.

18 The wicked one earns deceptive wages,

18 The wicked one is making false wages,

But the one who sows righteousness receives a true reward. but the one sowing righteousness, true earnings.

19 The one standing firmly for righteousness is in line for life,

19 The one firmly standing for righteousness is in line for life,

But the one chasing after evil is in line for death. but the one chasing after what is bad is in line for his own death.

20 Those crooked at heart are detestable to Jehovah,

20 Those crooked at heart are something detestable to Jehovah,

But those whose way is blameless bring pleasure to him. but the ones blameless in [their] way are a pleasure to him.

21 Be assured of this: An evil person will not go unpunished,

21 Though hand be to hand, a bad person will not go unpunished;

But the children of the righteous will escape. but the offspring of the righteous ones will certainly escape.

22 Like a gold ring in the snout of a pig

22 As a gold nose ring in the snout of a pig,

Is a beautiful woman who rejects good sense. so is a woman that is pretty but that is turning away from sensibleness.

23 The desire of the righteous leads to good,

23 The desire of the righteous ones is surely good;

But what the wicked hope for leads to fury. the hope of the wicked ones is fury.

24 One gives generously and ends up with more;

24 There exists the one that is scattering and yet is being increased;

Another withholds what should be given, but he comes to poverty. also the one that is keeping back from what is right, but it results only in want.

25 The generous person will prosper,

25 The generous soul will itself be made fat,

And whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed. and the one freely watering [others] will himself also be freely watered.

26 The people will curse the one who withholds grain,

26 The one holding back grain—the populace will execrate him,

But they will bless the one who sells it. but there is a blessing for the head of the one letting it be bought.

27 The one who diligently seeks to do good seeks favor,

27 He that is looking for good will keep seeking goodwill;

But the one searching for bad—that is what will surely come upon him. but as for the one searching for bad, it will come upon him.

28 The one trusting in his riches will fall,

28 The one trusting in his riches—he himself will fall;

But the righteous will flourish like the foliage. but just like foliage the righteous ones will flourish.

29 Anyone who brings trouble on his household will inherit the wind,

29 As for anyone bringing ostracism upon his own house, he will take possession of wind;

And the fool will be a servant to the wisehearted one. and a foolish person will be a servant to the one wise in heart.

30 The fruitage of the righteous one is a tree of life,

30 The fruitage of the righteous one is a tree of life,

And the one who wins souls is wise. and he that is winning souls is wise.

31 If, indeed, the righteous one on earth is rewarded,

31 Look! The righteous one—in the earth he will be rewarded.

How much more the wicked one and the sinner! How much more should the wicked one and the sinner be!

12 The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, 12 A lover of discipline is a lover of knowledge,

But the one who hates reproof is unreasoning. but a hater of reproof is unreasoning.

2 The good person obtains Jehovah’s approval,

2 One that is good gets approval from Jehovah,

But He condemns the man of wicked schemes. but the man of [wicked] ideas he pronounces wicked.

3 No man is made secure by wickedness,

3 No man will be firmly established by wickedness;

But the righteous will never be uprooted. but as for the root-foundation of the righteous ones, it will not be caused to stagger.

4 A capable wife is a crown to her husband,

4 A capable wife is a crown to her owner,

But the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones. but as rottenness in his bones is she that acts shamefully.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,

5 The thoughts of the righteous ones are judgment;

But the guidance of the wicked is deceptive. the steering by the wicked ones is deception.

6 The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,

6 The words of the wicked ones are a lying in wait for blood,

But the mouth of the upright saves them. but the mouth of the upright ones is what will deliver them.

7 When the wicked are overthrown, they are no more,

7 There is an overthrowing of the wicked ones and they are no more,

But the house of the righteous will keep standing. but the very house of the righteous ones will keep standing.

8 A man is praised for the discretion of his mouth,

8 For his mouth of discretion a man will be praised,

But one with a twisted heart will be treated with contempt. but one who is twisted at heart will come to be for contempt.

9 Better to be lightly esteemed and have a servant

9 Better is the one lightly esteemed but having a servant

Than to glorify oneself and have no food. than the one glorifying himself but in want of bread.

10 The righteous one takes care of his domestic animals,

10 The righteous one is caring for the soul of his domestic animal,

But even the mercy of the wicked is cruel. but the mercies of the wicked ones are cruel.

11 The one who cultivates his land will be satisfied with food,

11 The one cultivating his ground will himself be satisfied with bread,

But the one pursuing worthless things is lacking good sense. but the one pursuing valueless things is in want of heart.

12 The wicked man envies what other evil men have caught,

12 The wicked one has desired the netted prey of bad men;

But the root of the righteous bears fruit. but as for the root of the righteous ones, it yields.

13 The evil man is ensnared by his own sinful speech,

13 By the transgression of the lips the bad person is ensnared,

But the righteous one escapes from distress. but the righteous one gets out of distress.

14 From the fruitage of his speech a man is satisfied with good,

14 From the fruitage of a man’s mouth he is satisfied with good,

And the work of his hands will reward him. and the very doing of a man’s hands will come back to him.

15 The way of the fool is right in his own eyes,

15 The way of the foolish one is right in his own eyes,

But the wise one accepts advice. but the one listening to counsel is wise.

16 A fool immediately shows his annoyance,

16 It is a foolish person that makes known his vexation in the [same] day,

But the shrewd man overlooks an insult. but the shrewd one is covering over a dishonor.

17 The one who testifies faithfully will tell the truth,

17 He that launches forth faithfulness will tell what is righteous,

But a false witness speaks deceit. but a false witness, deception.

18 Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword,

18 There exists the one speaking thoughtlessly as with the stabs of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise is a healing. but the tongue of the wise ones is a healing.

19 Truthful lips will endure forever,

19 It is the lip of truth that will be firmly established forever,

But a lying tongue will last for only a moment. but the tongue of falsehood will be only as long as a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot mischief,

20 Deception is in the heart of those fabricating mischief,

But those who promote peace have joy. but those counseling peace have rejoicing.

21 No harm will befall the righteous one,

21 Nothing hurtful will befall the righteous one,

But the wicked will have their fill of calamity. but the wicked are the ones that will certainly be filled with calamity.

22 Lying lips are detestable to Jehovah,

22 False lips are something detestable to Jehovah,

But those acting faithfully bring pleasure to him. but those acting in faithfulness are a pleasure to him.

23 A shrewd man conceals what he knows,

23 A shrewd man is covering knowledge,

But the heart of the fool blurts out his foolishness. but the heart of the stupid ones is one that calls out foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent ones will rule,

24 The hand of the diligent ones is the one that will rule,

But idle hands will be put to forced labor. but the slack hand will come to be for forced labor.

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,

25 Anxious care in the heart of a man is what will cause it to bow down,

But a good word cheers it up. but the good word is what makes it rejoice.

26 The righteous one searches out his pastures,

26 The righteous one spies out his own pasturage,

But the course of the wicked leads them astray. but the very way of wicked ones causes them to wander about.

27 The lazy do not chase after the prey,

27 Slackness will not start up one’s game animals,

But diligence is a man’s precious treasure. but the diligent one is a man’s precious wealth.

28 The path of righteousness leads to life;

28 In the path of righteousness there is life,

Along its pathway there is no death. and the journey in its pathway means no death.

13 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, 13 A son is wise where there is a father’s discipline,

But the scoffer does not listen to a rebuke. but the ridiculer is one that has not heard rebuke.

2 From the fruitage of his speech a man will eat what is good,

2 From the fruitage of his mouth a man will eat good,

But the very desire of the treacherous is for violence. but the very soul of those dealing treacherously is violence.

3 The one guarding his mouth protects his life,

3 The one guarding his mouth is keeping his soul.

But the one opening his lips wide will come to ruin. The one opening wide his lips—he will have ruin.

4 The lazy person has his cravings, yet he has nothing,

4 The lazy one is showing himself desirous, but his soul [has] nothing.

But the diligent one will be fully satisfied. However, the very soul of the diligent ones will be made fat.

5 The righteous one hates lies,

5 A false word is what the righteous hates,

But the actions of the wicked bring shame and disgrace. but the wicked ones act shamefully and cause disgrace for themselves.

6 Righteousness protects the one whose way is innocent,

6 Righteousness itself safeguards the one who is harmless in his way,

But wickedness brings down the sinner. but wickedness is what subverts the sinner.

7 There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;

7 There exists the one that is pretending to be rich and yet he has nothing at all;

There is another who pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. there is the one that is pretending to be of little means and yet [he has] many valuable things.

8 Riches are the ransom for a man’s life,

8 The ransom for a man’s soul is his riches,

But the poor are not even threatened. but the one of little means has not heard rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,

9 The very light of the righteous ones will rejoice;

But the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. but the lamp of the wicked ones—it will be extinguished.

10 Presumptuousness leads only to strife,

10 By presumptuousness one only causes a struggle,

But wisdom belongs to those who seek advice. but with those consulting together there is wisdom.

11 Wealth quickly gained will dwindle,

11 Valuable things resulting from vanity become fewer,

But the wealth of the one who gathers it little by little will increase. but the one collecting by the hand is the one that makes increase.

12 Expectation postponed makes the heart sick,

12 Expectation postponed is making the heart sick,

But a desire realized is a tree of life. but the thing desired is a tree of life when it does come.

13 Whoever despises instruction will pay the penalty,

13 He that has despised the word, from him a [debtor’s] pledge will be seized;

But the one who respects the commandment will be rewarded. but the one fearing the commandment is the one that will be rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise one is a source of life

14 The law of the wise one is a source of life,

To turn one away from the snares of death. to turn one away from the snares of death.

15 Keen insight wins favor,

15 Good insight itself gives favor,

But the way of the treacherous is harsh. but the way of those dealing treacherously is rugged.

16 The shrewd person acts with knowledge,

16 Everyone shrewd will act with knowledge,

But the fool exposes his own foolishness. but the one that is stupid will spread abroad foolishness.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

17 A messenger that is wicked will fall into bad,

But a faithful envoy brings healing. but a faithful envoy is a healing.

18 Whoever neglects discipline comes to poverty and disgrace,

18 The one neglecting discipline [comes to] poverty and dishonor,

But the one accepting correction will be glorified. but the one keeping a reproof is the one that is glorified.

19 Desire when realized is sweet to a person,

19 Desire when realized is pleasurable to the soul;

But the stupid hate to turn away from bad. but it is something detestable to the stupid ones to turn away from bad.

20 The one walking with the wise will become wise,

20 He that is walking with wise persons will become wise,

But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly. but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.

21 Calamity pursues sinners,

21 Sinners are the ones whom calamity pursues,

But prosperity rewards the righteous. but the righteous are the ones whom good rewards.

22 The good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren,

22 One who is good will leave an inheritance to sons of sons,

But the sinner’s wealth will be stored up for the righteous one. and the wealth of the sinner is something treasured up for the righteous one.

23 The plowed field of the poor yields much food,

23 Plowed ground of persons of little means [yields] a great deal of food,

But it may be swept away by injustice. but there exists the one that is swept away for lack of judgment.

24 Whoever holds back his rod hates his son,

24 The one holding back his rod is hating his son,

But the one who loves him disciplines him diligently. but the one loving him is he that does look for him with discipline.

25 The righteous one eats and satisfies his appetite,

25 The righteous is eating to the satisfaction of his soul,

But the stomach of the wicked is empty. but the belly of the wicked ones will be empty.

14 The truly wise woman builds up her house, 14 The truly wise woman has built up her house,

But the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

2 The one walking in his uprightness fears Jehovah,

2 The one walking in his uprightness is fearing Jehovah,

But the one whose ways are devious despises Him. but the one crooked in his ways is despising Him.

3 The rod of haughtiness is in the mouth of the fool,

3 The rod of haughtiness is in the mouth of the foolish one,

But the lips of the wise will protect them. but the very lips of the wise ones will guard them.

4 Where there are no cattle the manger is clean,

4 Where there are no cattle the manger is clean,

But the power of a bull yields an abundant harvest. but the crop is abundant because of the power of a bull.

5 A faithful witness will not lie,

5 A faithful witness is one that will not lie,

But a false witness lies with every breath. but a false witness launches forth mere lies.

6 The scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none,

6 The ridiculer has sought to find wisdom, and there is none;

But knowledge comes easily to the person with understanding. but to the understanding one knowledge is an easy thing.

7 Stay away from the foolish man,

7 Go away from in front of the stupid man,

For you will not find knowledge on his lips. for you will certainly not take note of the lips of knowledge.

8 By wisdom the shrewd man understands the way he is going,

8 The wisdom of the shrewd is to understand his way,

But the stupid are deceived by their foolishness. but the foolishness of stupid ones is deception.

9 Fools make fun of guilt,

9 Foolish are those who make a derision of guilt,

But among the upright, there is a willingness to reconcile. but among the upright ones there is agreement.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness,

10 The heart is aware of the bitterness of one’s soul,

And no outsider can share in its joy. and with its rejoicing no stranger will intermeddle.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,

11 The house of wicked people will be annihilated,

But the tent of the upright will flourish. but the tent of the upright ones will flourish.

12 There is a way that seems right to a man,

12 There exists a way that is upright before a man,

But in the end it leads to death. but the ways of death are the end of it afterward.

13 Even in laughter the heart may feel pain,

13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain;

And rejoicing may end in grief. and grief is what rejoicing ends up in.

14 The one wayward at heart will reap the results of his ways,

14 The one faithless at heart will be satisfied with the results of his own ways,

But the good man reaps the reward of his dealings. but the good man with the results of his dealings.

15 The naive person believes every word,

15 Anyone inexperienced puts faith in every word,

But the shrewd one ponders each step. but the shrewd one considers his steps.

16 The wise one is cautious and turns away from evil,

16 The wise one fears and is turning away from badness,

But the stupid one is reckless and overconfident. but the stupid is becoming furious and self-confident.

17 The one who is quick to anger acts foolishly,

17 He that is quick to anger will commit foolishness,

But the man who thinks things out is hated. but the man of thinking abilities is hated.

18 The naive will inherit foolishness,

18 The inexperienced ones will certainly take possession of foolishness,

But the shrewd are crowned with knowledge. but the shrewd ones will bear knowledge as a headdress.

19 Bad people will have to bow down before the good,

19 Bad people will have to bow down before the good ones,

And the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous. and the wicked people at the gates of the righteous one.

20 The poor man is hated even by his neighbors,

20 Even to his fellowman one who is of little means is an object of hatred,

But many are the friends of the rich person. but many are the friends of the rich person.

21 The one who despises his neighbor sins,

21 The one despising his own fellowman is sinning,

But whoever shows compassion to the lowly is happy. but happy is he who is showing favor to the afflicted ones.

22 Will not those who plot mischief go astray?

22 Will not those devising mischief go wandering about?

But those intent on doing good will receive loyal love and faithfulness. But there are loving-kindness and trueness as regards those devising good.

23 There is benefit in every kind of hard work,

23 By every kind of toil there comes to be an advantage,

But mere talk leads to want. but merely the word of the lips [tends] to want.

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth;

24 The crown of the wise is their riches;

But the foolishness of the stupid is only foolishness. the foolishness of the stupid ones is foolishness.

25 A true witness saves lives,

25 A true witness is delivering souls,

But a deceitful one lies with every breath. but a deceitful one launches forth mere lies.

26 There is strong confidence in the fear of Jehovah,

26 In the fear of Jehovah there is strong confidence,

And it will be a refuge for his children. and for his sons there will come to be a refuge.

27 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life,

27 The fear of Jehovah is a well of life,

To turn one away from the snares of death. to turn away from the snares of death.

28 A multitude of people are a king’s majesty,

28 In the multitude of people there is an adornment of a king,

But a ruler without subjects is ruined. but in the lack of population is the ruin of a high official.

29 The one who is slow to anger has great discernment,

29 He that is slow to anger is abundant in discernment,

But the impatient one displays his foolishness. but one that is impatient is exalting foolishness.

30 A calm heart gives life to the body,

30 A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism,

But jealousy is rottenness to the bones. but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

31 The one who defrauds the lowly one insults his Maker,

31 He that is defrauding the lowly one has reproached his Maker,

But whoever shows compassion to the poor glorifies Him. but the one showing favor to the poor one is glorifying Him.

32 The wicked one will be brought down by his own evil,

32 Because of his badness the wicked will be pushed down,

But the righteous one will find refuge in his integrity. but the righteous will be finding refuge in his integrity.

33 Wisdom rests quietly in the heart of an understanding person,

33 In the heart of the understanding one there rests wisdom,

But among the stupid it must make itself known. and in the midst of stupid ones it becomes known.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,

34 Righteousness is what exalts a nation,

But sin is disgraceful to a people. but sin is something disgraceful to national groups.

35 The king finds pleasure in a servant who acts with insight,

35 The pleasure of a king is in the servant who is acting with insight,

But his fury is against the one who acts shamefully. but his fury comes to be toward one acting shamefully.

15 A mild answer turns away rage, 15 An answer, when mild, turns away rage,

But a harsh word stirs up anger. but a word causing pain makes anger to come up.

2 The tongue of the wise makes good use of knowledge,

2 The tongue of wise ones does good with knowledge,

But the mouth of the stupid blurts out foolishness. but the mouth of the stupid ones bubbles forth with foolishness.

3 The eyes of Jehovah are everywhere,

3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,

Watching both the bad and the good. keeping watch upon the bad ones and the good ones.

4 A calm tongue is a tree of life,

4 The calmness of the tongue is a tree of life,

But twisted speech causes despair. but distortion in it means a breaking down in the spirit.

5 A fool disrespects his father’s discipline,

5 Anyone foolish disrespects the discipline of his father,

But a shrewd person accepts correction. but anyone regarding reproof is shrewd.

6 In the house of the righteous one there is abundant treasure,

6 In the house of the righteous one there is an abundant store,

But the produce of the wicked one brings him trouble. but in the produce of the wicked one there is a becoming ostracized.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

7 The lips of the wise ones keep scattering knowledge about,

But not so the heart of the stupid one. but the heart of the stupid ones is not like that.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to Jehovah,

8 The sacrifice of the wicked ones is something detestable to Jehovah,

But the prayer of the upright is a pleasure to Him. but the prayer of the upright ones is a pleasure to him.

9 Jehovah detests the way of the wicked one,

9 The way of the wicked one is something detestable to Jehovah,

But he loves the one who pursues righteousness. but the one pursuing righteousness he loves.

10 Discipline seems bad to one forsaking the way,

10 Discipline is bad to the one leaving the path;

But whoever hates reproof will die. anyone hating reproof will die.

11 The Grave and the place of destruction are in full view of Jehovah.

11 Sheʹol and [the place of] destruction are in front of Jehovah.

How much more so the hearts of men! How