Proverbs

The pursuit of wisdom and discipline is essential for understanding and making prudent decisions, and it begins with the fear of the Lord. A father advises his son to listen to his discipline and not be swayed by sinners who entice him to do evil, warning that their ways lead to destruction. Wisdom calls out to all, offering correction and guidance, but those who refuse to listen will ultimately suffer the consequences of their own actions. Those who heed wisdom's call, however, will find rest and abundance without fear of evil.

To gain wisdom and knowledge, one must listen to and follow God's commandments, seeking wisdom like treasure and understanding the fear of the Lord. The Lord bestows wisdom and preserves the salvation of the righteous, guiding them on paths of justice and sanctity. Wisdom and knowledge will protect one from evil ways and the corrupting influence of those who rejoice in wickedness, including the seductive foreign woman who leads people to death and Hell. Ultimately, the upright will live on the earth, while the impious will perish.

To live a long and peaceful life, one must follow God's laws and precepts, and have mercy and truth as guiding principles. Trusting in the Lord and fearing God will lead to wisdom and good discipline, and honoring Him with one's substance will bring abundance. Wisdom is more valuable than riches and is the key to a life of peace and prosperity. Those who follow wisdom will be blessed, and the Lord will be at their side to protect them.

A father teaches his son the importance of wisdom, discipline, and prudence, urging him to listen and pay attention to his words in order to live a long and virtuous life. He advises his son to obtain wisdom and prudence, and to love and guard them, for they will bring him honor and protection. The father warns his son to avoid the paths of the wicked and to take the path of the just, which is like a shining light that advances and increases. He instructs his son to keep his words in his heart, to preserve his heart with watchfulness, and to direct his path in order to live a secure and peaceful life.

A father warns his son to avoid the deceit of a loose woman, whose lips may be sweet but ultimately lead to bitterness and death. He advises his son to listen to his words and stay away from her, lest he lose his honor and strength to outsiders. Instead, the father encourages his son to find joy and satisfaction in his own wife, comparing her to a refreshing spring and a loving doe. Ultimately, the father notes that those who reject discipline and pursue sin will be bound by their own iniquities and deceived by their own foolishness.

A person who guarantees a loan for a friend can become trapped by their own words and should try to free themselves from the obligation. The lazy person is advised to learn from the industrious ant, which prepares for the future, and warned that idleness will lead to poverty. The wicked person who devises evil and sows discord will meet a swift and crushing end. The Lord hates seven things, including haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. A person should preserve their parents' teachings and follow the law, which will guide them and protect them from evil, including the dangers of adultery, which can lead to shame, dishonor, and destruction.

A father advises his son to guard his words and keep his commandments to live, and to consider wisdom as a sister and prudence as a friend to protect him from the outsider woman. The father then describes a scene where a young man is seduced by a harlot who uses flattery and deceit to lure him into her house, promising him pleasure and secrecy. The young man is unaware of the danger he is in, and the father warns his son not to be deceived by her ways, as many have been wounded and slain by her. Her household is a path to death and destruction.

Wisdom calls out to men, urging them to understand discernment and turn from their unwise ways, promising to speak of great things and foretell what is right. Wisdom declares that her words are just and upright, and that she dwells in counsel and learned thoughts, detesting evil and wicked ways. Through wisdom, kings and rulers decree just conditions, and those who love her will find wealth, glory, and justice. Wisdom was present with God from the beginning, playing a role in the creation of the world, and delights in being with the sons of men, urging them to listen to her discipline and become wise.

Wisdom invites the simple and unwise to come to her, offering them bread and wine, and promising that they will live and walk in prudence if they leave behind childishness. In contrast, arguing with a mocker is futile and can cause harm, while disputing with the wise can lead to love and added wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and those who seek wisdom will be rewarded with a long and fulfilling life. Meanwhile, a foolish and loud woman, representing folly, also calls out to the simple, enticing them with stolen pleasures that ultimately lead to destruction.

The wise and just are rewarded with life, riches, and blessings, while the foolish and impious are punished with destitution, death, and shame. The wise store away knowledge, speak with prudence, and walk in confidence, whereas the foolish are cut down by their own lips and lack heart. The just are guided by discipline and fear of the Lord, which adds days to their lives, while the impious are consumed by their own wickedness and will perish.

The Lord detests dishonesty and favors fairness and humility. The righteous will be guided by their simplicity and integrity, while the wicked will be destroyed by their own rebellion. Wealth and power will not save the wicked on the day of judgment, but justice and righteousness will bring liberation. The righteous will be freed from trouble, while the wicked will be trapped by their own treachery.

Those who love discipline and correction are wise, while those who hate it are unwise. The righteous will be rewarded with God's favor, while the wicked will face destruction. A virtuous woman brings honor to her husband, and the words of the righteous can bring freedom, while the words of the wicked lead to harm. The righteous will be known by their doctrine and will prosper, while the wicked will face contempt and ruin.

A wise son heeds his father's teachings, while one who ridicules does not listen to reproof. A person's words can bring satisfaction or misfortune, and guarding one's mouth is essential for protecting one's soul. The diligent are rewarded, while the lazy and impious face difficulties. Justice and wisdom guide the innocent, and the righteous are merciful and compassionate.

A wise and virtuous person builds up their household and is guided by prudence, while a foolish one destroys it through their own actions. The wise are cautious with their words and actions, whereas the foolish speak mockingly and seek wisdom in vain. The prudent understand their way and are guided by wisdom, but the foolish are led astray by their own imprudence. The just and virtuous are ultimately rewarded, while the wicked and deceitful are punished.

A gentle response can diffuse anger, while harsh words can stir up fury. The Lord sees both good and evil, and a peaceful tongue can bring life, but an immoderate one can crush the spirit. The wise seek knowledge and doctrine, while the foolish reject correction and pursue foolishness. The Lord loves those who pursue justice and hates the ways of the wicked. A rejoicing heart brings joy, but a grieving soul can cast down the spirit. The path of life is for the wise, who turn away from evil and pursue obedience and humility.

The Lord governs the tongue and weighs spirits, and He sets intentions in order when works are opened to Him. A good way is to do justice, and mercy and truth can redeem iniquity. The heart of man disposes his way, but the Lord directs his steps, and foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. Wisdom is better than gold, and the path of the just turns away from evils.

A dry meal eaten in peace is better than a feast with conflict. A wise servant can surpass foolish sons in managing an inheritance. The Lord tests hearts like silver and gold are tested in fire. Those who despise the poor or rejoice in another's ruin will face punishment.

A person who wants to end a friendship will find excuses, and the foolish do not accept wise advice unless it aligns with their own thoughts. The words of a wise person are like a deep, overflowing fountain, and it is not good to associate with the wicked. A person's words can be their own destruction, and the name of the Lord is a strong tower for the righteous. A prudent heart seeks knowledge, and a person's gift can open doors for them.

The poor who live simply are better off than the rich who are unwise. Lack of self-awareness and impulsiveness lead to trouble, while wisdom and prudence bring good things. Wealth and power can bring friends, but true character is revealed in how one treats others, especially the poor. Those who are dishonest, lazy, or foolish will ultimately suffer consequences, while those who are merciful, patient, and wise will be rewarded.

Wine and drunkenness lead to foolishness, and those who provoke a king or engage in contentions will suffer. A wise person will seek counsel and separate themselves from foolish disputes. The lazy will ultimately suffer, while the just and simple will leave a blessed legacy. True wisdom and faithfulness are rare, and those who are deceitful or unjust will be punished.

The Lord has control over the king's heart and weighs the hearts of all people. True righteousness is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifices, and those who are lazy or wicked will ultimately suffer, while the just and upright will prosper. The wicked will be punished, and the just will be rewarded, and it is better to live a simple life of righteousness than to be surrounded by wealth and wickedness.

A good name and reputation are more valuable than wealth, and the Lord is the creator of both the rich and the poor. The rich often rule over the poor, and those who are in debt are servants to their lenders. Whoever sows evil will reap evil, but those who show mercy will be blessed. The lazy and the foolish will face consequences, while the diligent and wise will be rewarded. It is also important to avoid violence towards the poor, and not to befriend angry or furious people.

When dining with a ruler, be cautious of the food and do not overindulge, for it may be deceitful. Do not covet wealth you cannot have, and avoid eating with envious people who may have ulterior motives. Discipline a child with a rod to save them from harm, and seek wisdom and knowledge to guide your soul. Avoid the company of drunkards and those who waste time, and instead listen to your parents and follow their guidance. A loose woman is a danger, and those who linger over wine will suffer woe and harm.

The wicked plot evil and speak deceitfully, while the wise build and strengthen their households through wisdom and prudence. A wise person is strong and valiant, and safety comes from many counselors. Those who plan evil are called foolish, and their intentions are sinful. Rescuing those in danger is a virtuous act, and God repays individuals according to their deeds. Wisdom is beneficial to the soul, and the just will rise again after falling, while the wicked will fall into evil. One should not rejoice in an enemy's downfall, nor contend with the wicked, and should fear the Lord and the king.

It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech, but the heart of kings is unsearchable. One should not appear glorious before the king or stand in the place of the great, and it is better to be told to ascend than to be humbled before a prince. A person should not hastily offer something in a quarrel, and should not reveal secrets to outsiders. A faithful messenger brings rest to the one who sent him, and a soft tongue can break hardness. One should be cautious in relationships and not overstay their welcome, and should not speak false testimony against their neighbor.

A fool is not suited for glory, and a curse without cause will not harm its intended target. A fool should not be responded to in kind, lest one becomes like them, but rather should be answered in a way that shows their foolishness. A foolish person cannot properly use wisdom or proverbs, and their words can cause harm. A lazy person is self-deceived and appears wiser than they are, while a gossip can stir up conflicts, and an angry person can cause quarrels. A deceitful person's true nature will eventually be revealed, and those who do evil will ultimately be harmed by their own actions.

Do not boast about the future or praise yourself, as this can lead to trouble. A rebuke from a loved one is better than flattery from an enemy, and a full person will reject even sweet things. A person should not abandon their home or family in times of trouble, and a close neighbor is more valuable than a distant relative. Wisdom and self-control are essential, as they can protect a person from evil and bring them honor and prosperity.

The wicked flee even when no one pursues, but the righteous are confident and fearless. Those who abandon the law praise the wicked, while those who keep it are inflamed against them. The poor who walk in simplicity are better off than the rich who walk in depravity. Whoever keeps the law is wise, and those who deceive the just will fall into their own perdition. The rich may seem wise, but the poor can see through their foolishness. The exultation of the just brings great glory, but when the wicked reign, men are brought to ruin.

The wicked will be destroyed, while the righteous will be rewarded. A just ruler brings prosperity, but a corrupt one brings ruin. Wisdom and foolishness are contrasted, with the wise being cautious and reserved, while the foolish are reckless and destructive. The righteous care for the poor, while the wicked are ignorant of justice.

The writer, Agur, son of Jakeh, acknowledges his limitations and lack of wisdom, yet affirms the reliability of God's words. He requests a simple life, free from excess and poverty, to avoid being tempted to deny God. Agur then describes various types of people who are corrupt or ungrateful, including those who curse their parents and those who are never satisfied. He also notes the insatiability of hell, the womb, and fire, and warns against mocking one's parents. Agur lists four things that are difficult to understand, including the way of an adulterous woman, and four things that are least on earth yet wiser than the wise, including ants and locusts. He concludes by describing creatures that advance well, such as lions and roosters, and warns against provoking wrath.

A king's mother advises him to avoid giving in to women or drunkenness, and instead to speak up for the mute and the poor, and to do justice. She then describes a virtuous woman who is trustworthy, hardworking, and charitable, managing her household and family with wisdom and kindness. This woman is praised by her husband and children, and her works bring her honor and recognition. Ultimately, it is not charm or beauty that brings true praise, but rather a woman's fear of the Lord and her good deeds.