Posts

Proverbs 25

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner. 5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men; 7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen. 8 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you? 9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another, 10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart. 11 A word fitly spoken is like ap...

Proverbs 24

1 Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them; 2 for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief. 3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; 4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. 5 A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength, 6 for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors. 7 Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate. 8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. 9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men. 10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. 11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! 12 If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work? 13 My son, eat honey, ...

Proverbs 23

1 When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you; 2 put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite. 3 Don’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food. 4 Don’t weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. 5 Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky. 6 Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye, and don’t crave his delicacies, 7 for as he thinks about the cost, so he is. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8 You will vomit up the morsel which you have eaten and waste your pleasant words. 9 Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10 Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless, 11 for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you. 12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Don’t with...

Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires. 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts. 3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. 4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin. 5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty. 6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death. 7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right. 8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. 9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman. 10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. 11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. 12 The Righteous One considers th...

Proverbs 20

1 Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. 3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing. 5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. 6 Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man? 7 A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him. 8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes. 9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?” 10 Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh. 11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. 12 The hearing ...

Proverbs 19

1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. 2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way. 3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh. 4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend. 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free. 6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 7 All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone. 8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish. 10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an off...

Proverbs 18

1 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. 2 A fool has no delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own opinion. 3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and with shame comes disgrace. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. 5 To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice. 6 A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person’s innermost parts. 9 One who is slack in his work is brother to him who is a master of destruction. 10 Yahweh’s name is a strong tower: the righteous run to him, and are safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility. 1...