He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome;
He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].

He who has a crooked mind finds no good,
And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.

He who becomes the parent of a fool [who is spiritually blind] does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool [who is spiritually blind] has no joy.

He who understands sets [his] face [toward] wisdom, but the eyes of a fool, to the end of the earth.

A foolish son is a grief and anguish to his father
And bitterness to her who gave birth to him.

He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words,
And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).

Even a fool keeping silence is reckoned wise, He who is shutting his lips intelligent!

For an object of desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.

The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.

He also who is indolent in his work is brother of the destroyer.

He who answers before he hears [the facts]—
It is folly and shame to him.

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

The first one to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and cross-examines him.

A brother who is offended [is worse] than a city of strength, and quarrels [are] like the bars of a fortification.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

He who finds a [true and faithful] wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor and approval from the Lord.

The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,
But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.

Better is the poor walking in his integrity, Than the perverse in his lips, who is a fool.

Also, a life without knowledge is not good, and he who moves quickly with [his] feet {misses the mark}.

A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Many will seek the favor of a generous and noble man,
And everyone is a friend to him who gives gifts.

He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul;
He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper.

A false witness will not go unpunished,
And he who breathes lies will perish.

A house and wealth [are] an inheritance [from] fathers, but from Yahweh [comes] a woman who is prudent.

Hate of work sends deep sleep on a man: and he who has no industry will go without food.

He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the Lord] keeps (guards) his own life,
But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die.

He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the Lord,
And the Lord will repay him for his good deed.

The person who has great anger must pay the consequences, because if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

The ornament of a man is his mercy, and a poor man is better than one who is false.

The fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

He who assaults his father and chases away his mother
Is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

A son who no longer gives attention to teaching is turned away from the words of knowledge.

Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and any who go astray by it are not wise.

The fear of a king is a growl as of a young lion, He who is causing him to be wroth is wronging his soul.

Honour, hath the man who sitteth away from strife, but, any fool, may break through.

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

He who walks in his integrity [is] righteous; happy are his children who follow him.

A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment
Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

A poor thing, a poor thing, says he who is giving money for goods: but when he has gone on his way, then he makes clear his pride in what he has got.

[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger;
And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.”

He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets;
Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters].

He who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished {in the midst of darkness}.

It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry.

The lamp of Yahweh [is] the spirit of humankind, he who searches every {innermost part}.

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage,
But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.

Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.

Froward is the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright is his work.

He who closes his ear from the cry of the poor, he also will cry out and not be heard.

[It is] a joy to the righteous to do justice, but dismay to those who do evil.

A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.

He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves and is devoted to wine and [olive] oil will not become rich.

Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.

He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

He who guards his mouth and his tongue
Guards himself from troubles.

Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don't withhold.

A false witness will perish,
But a man who listens to the truth will speak forever and go unchallenged.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate [for their lack of honor and their wrong-doing traps them];
He who guards himself [with godly wisdom] will be far from them and avoid the consequences they suffer.

The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.

He who sows injustice will reap [a harvest of] trouble,
And the rod of his wrath [with which he oppresses others] will fail.

He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.

He who loves purity of heart
And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.

The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and the one who has it,
But He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

The mouth of strange women is a deep ditch: he with whom Jehovah is displeased shall fall therein.

He who oppresses or exploits the poor to get more for himself
Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.

To let you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you?

For the Lord will plead their case
And take the life of those who rob them.

Don't befriend a hot-tempered man, and don't associate with one who harbors anger:

Do not be among those who give pledges [involving themselves in others’ finances],
Or among those who become guarantors for others’ debts.

A man who is skillful in his work, you shall see: before kings, he will serve; he will not serve before the commoners.

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider well who is before thee;

Do not eat the bread of a selfish man,
Or desire his delicacies;

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates].
He says to you, “Eat and drink,”
Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].

Do not let the landmark of the widow be moved, and do not go into the fields of those who have no father;

for strong is their Redeemer who will take up their case against you.

Don’t associate with those who drink too much wine
or with those who gorge themselves on meat.

For those who take delight in drink and feasting will come to be in need; and through love of sleep a man will be poorly clothed

Hearken to thy father, who begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she hath become old.

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.

Let your father and your mother be glad,
And let her who gave birth to you rejoice [in your wise and godly choices].

indeed, she sets an ambush like a robber
and increases those among men who are unfaithful.

Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

Those who linger long over wine,
Those who go to taste mixed wine.

And you will be [as unsteady] as one who lies down in the middle of the sea,
And [as vulnerable to disaster] as one who lies down on the top of a ship’s mast, saying,

He who plans to do evil
Will be called a schemer or deviser of evil.

Rescue those who are being taken away to death,
And those who stagger to the slaughter, Oh hold them back [from their doom]!

When thou sayest, 'Lo, we knew not this.' Is not the Ponderer of hearts He who understandeth? And the Keeper of thy soul He who knoweth? And He hath rendered to man according to his work.

Don't be anxious about those who practice evil, and don't be envious of the wicked.

My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],

For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Peoples will curse him, nations will denounce him;

But to those [honorable judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.

He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.

I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom.

For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

Or he who hears it will shame you
And the rumor about you [and your action in court] will have no end.

Like a nose-ring of gold and an ornament of the best gold, is a wise man who says sharp words to an ear ready to give attention.

Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest,
So is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
For he refreshes the life of his masters.