New International Version  
Chapter 21
1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD;
he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.
2All a man's ways seem right to him,
but the LORD weighs the heart.
3To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
5The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6A fortune made by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
7The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
for they refuse to do what is right.
8The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10The wicked man craves evil;
his neighbor gets no mercy from him.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.
12The Righteous OneOr The righteous man takes note of the house of the wicked
and brings the wicked to ruin.
13If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
he too will cry out and not be answered.
14A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.
16A man who strays from the path of understanding
comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.
20In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil,
but a foolish man devours all he has.
21He who pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperityOr righteousness and honor.
22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty
and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23He who guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself from calamity.
24The proud and arrogant man—“Mocker” is his name;
he behaves with overweening pride.
25The sluggard's craving will be the death of him,
because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous give without sparing.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28A false witness will perish,
and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.Or / but the words of an obedient man will live on
29A wicked man puts up a bold front,
but an upright man gives thought to his ways.
30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the LORD.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.
Chapter 22
1A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.
3A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
4Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor and life.
5In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
but he who guards his soul stays far from them.
6TrainOr Start a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
7The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
10Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.
11He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
will have the king for his friend.
12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!”
or, “I will be murdered in the streets!”
14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
16He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
Sayings of the Wise
17Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
18for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
19So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I teach you today, even you.
20Have I not written thirtyOr not formerly written; or not written excellent sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21teaching you true and reliable words,
so that you can give sound answers
to him who sent you?
22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,
23for the LORD will take up their case
and will plunder those who plunder them.
24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
do not associate with one easily angered,
25or you may learn his ways
and get yourself ensnared.
26Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge
or puts up security for debts;
27if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.
28Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your forefathers.
29Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.
Chapter 23
1When you sit to dine with a ruler,
note well whatOr who is before you,
2and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to gluttony.
3Do not crave his delicacies,
for that food is deceptive.
4Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.
5Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
6Do not eat the food of a stingy man,
do not crave his delicacies;
7for he is the kind of man
who is always thinking about the cost.Or for as he thinks within himself, / so he is; or for as he puts on a feast, / so he is
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
8You will vomit up the little you have eaten
and will have wasted your compliments.
9Do not speak to a fool,
for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
10Do not move an ancient boundary stone
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11for their Defender is strong;
he will take up their case against you.
12Apply your heart to instruction
and your ears to words of knowledge.
13Do not withhold discipline from a child;
if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
14Punish him with the rod
and save his soul from death.Hebrew Sheol
15My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad;
16my inmost being will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.
17Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
18There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.
19Listen, my son, and be wise,
and keep your heart on the right path.
20Do not join those who drink too much wine
or gorge themselves on meat,
21for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
22Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
24The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him.
25May your father and mother be glad;
may she who gave you birth rejoice!
26My son, give me your heart
and let your eyes keep to my ways,
27for a prostitute is a deep pit
and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
28Like a bandit she lies in wait,
and multiplies the unfaithful among men.
29Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has strife? Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30Those who linger over wine,
who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
31Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
32In the end it bites like a snake
and poisons like a viper.
33Your eyes will see strange sights
and your mind imagine confusing things.
34You will be like one sleeping on the high seas,
lying on top of the rigging.
35“They hit me,” you will say, “but I'm not hurt!
They beat me, but I don't feel it!
When will I wake up
so I can find another drink?”
 
 

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