Original subtitles

proverbs

proverbs chapter 1 these are the

Proverbs of King Solomon of Israel the

son of David Proverbs will teach you

wisdom and self-control and how to

understand sayings with deep meanings

you will learn what is right and honest

and fair from these an ordinary person

can learn to be smart and young people

can gain knowledge and good sense if you

are already wise you will become even

wiser and if you are smart you will

learn to understand Proverbs and sayings

as well as words of wisdom and all kinds

of riddles respect and obey the Lord

this is the beginning of knowledge

only a fool rejects wisdom and good

advice my child obey the teachings of

your parents and where their teachings

as you would a lovely hat or a pretty

necklace don't be tempted by sinners or

listen when they say come on let's gang

up and kill somebody just for the fun of

it there well and healthy now but we'll

finish them off once and for all

we'll take their valuables and fill our

homes with stolen goods if you join our

gang you'll get your share don't follow

anyone like that or do what they do they

are in a big hurry to commit some crime

perhaps even murder they are like a bird

that sees the bait but ignores the trap

they gang up to murder someone but they

are the victims the wealth you get from

crime robs you of your life wisdom shout

to the streets wherever crowds gather

she shouts in the marketplaces and near

the city gates

she says to the people how much longer

will you enjoy being stupid fools won't

you ever stop sneering and laughing at

knowledge listen as I correct you and

tell you what I think you completely

ignored me and refuse to listen you

rejected my advice and paid no attention

when I warned you so when you are struck

by some terrible disaster or when

trouble and distress surround you like a

whirlwind

I will laugh and make fun you will ask

for my help but I won't listen you will

search but you won't find me no you

would not learn and you refuse to

respect the Lord you rejected my advice

and paid no attention when I warned you

now you will eat the fruit of what you

have done until you are stuffed full

with your own schemes sin and

self-satisfaction bring destruction and

death to stupid fools but if you listen

to me you will be safe and secure

without fear of disaster.

proverbs chapter 2 My child you must follow and

treasure my teachings and my

instructions keep in tune with wisdom

and think what it means to have common

sense beg as loud as you can for good

common sense search for wisdom as you

would search for silver or hidden

treasure then you will understand what

it means to respect and to know the Lord

God

all wisdom comes from the Lord and so do

common sense and understanding God gives

helpful advice to everyone who obeys him

and protects all of those who live as

they should God sees that justice is

done and he watches over everyone who is

faithful to him with wisdom you will

learn what is right and honest and fair

wisdom will control your mind and you

will be pleased with knowledge sound

judgment and good sense will watch over

you wisdom will protect you from evil

schemes and from those liars who turn

from doing good to live in the darkness

most of all they enjoy being mean and

deceitful

they are dishonest themselves and all

they do is crooked wisdom will protect

you from the smooth talk of a sinful

woman who breaks a wedding vows and

leaves the man she married when she was

young the road to her house leads down

to the dark world of the dead visit her

and you will never find the road to life

again

follow the example of good people and

live an honest life if you are honest

and innocent you will keep your land if

you do wrong and can never be trusted

you will be rooted out. proverbs chapter 3

3 my child remember my teachings and

instructions and obey them completely

they will help you live a long and

prosperous life

let love and loyalty always show like a

necklace and write them in your mind God

and people will like you and consider

you a success with all your heart you

must trust the Lord and not your own

judgment always let him lead you and he

will clear the road for you to follow

don't ever think that you are wise

enough but respect the Lord and stay

away from evil this will make you

healthy and you will feel strong honor

the Lord by giving him your money in the

first part of all your crops then you

will have more grain and grapes than you

will ever need my child

don't turn away or become bitter when

the Lord corrects you the Lord corrects

everyone he loves just as parents

correct their favorite child God blesses

everyone who has wisdom and common sense

wisdom is worth more than silver it

makes you much richer than gold

wisdom is more valuable than precious

jewels nothing you want compares with

her in a right hand wisdom holds a long

life and in her left hand our wealth and

honor wisdom makes life Pleasant and

leads us safely along wisdom is a

life-giving tree the source of happiness

for all who hold on to her by his wisdom

and knowledge the Lord created heaven

and earth by his understanding he let

the ocean break loose and clouds release

the rain my child use common sense and

sound judgment always keep them in mind

they will help you to live a long and

beautiful life you will walk safely and

never stumble you will rest without a

worry and sleep soundly so don't be

afraid of sudden disasters or storms

that strike those who are evil you can

be sure that the Lord will protect you

from harm do all you can for every one

who deserves your help don't tell your

neighbor to come back tomorrow if you

can help today

don't try to be mean to neighbors who

trust you don't argue just to be arguing

when you haven't been hurt don't be

jealous of cruel people or follow their

example the Lord doesn't like anyone who

is dishonest but he lets good people be

his friends he places a curse on the

home of everyone who was evil but he

blesses the home of every good person

the Lord sneers at those who sneer at

him but he is kind to everyone who is

humble you will be praised if you are

wise but you will be disgraced if you

are a stubborn fool. proverbs chapter 4

my child

listened closely to my teachings and

learned common sense

my advice is useful so don't turn away

when I was still very young and my

mother's favorite child my father said

to me if you follow my teachings and

keep them in mind you will live be wise

and learn good sense remember my

teachings and do what I say if you love

wisdom and don't reject her she will

watch over you the best thing about

wisdom is wisdom herself good sense is

more important than anything else if you

value wisdom and hold tightly to her

great honors will be yours it will be

like wearing a glorious crown of

beautiful flowers my child if you listen

and obey my teachings you will live a

long time I have shown you the way that

makes sense

I have guided you along the right path

your road won't be blocked and you won't

stumble when you run hold firmly to my

teaching and never let go it will mean

life for you don't follow the bad

example of cruel and evil people turn

aside and keep going stay away from them

they can't sleep or rest until they do

wrong or harm some innocent victim their

food and drink or violence and cruelty

the lifestyle of good people is like

sunlight at dawn that keeps getting

brighter

until broad daylight the lifestyle of

the wicked is like total darkness and

they will never know what makes them

stumble my child listen carefully to

everything I say don't forget a single

word but think about it all knowing

these teachings will mean true life and

good health for you carefully guard your

thoughts because they are the source of

true life never tell lies are be

deceitful in what you say keep looking

straight ahead without turning aside

know where you are headed and you will

stay on solid ground don't make a

mistake by turning to the right or the

left proverbs chapter 5 My son if you

listen closely to my wisdom and good

sense you will have sound judgment and

you will always know the right thing to

say the words of an immoral woman may be

as sweet as honey and as smooth as olive

oil but all that you really get from

being with her is bitter poison and pain

if you follow her she will lead you down

to the world of the dead she has missed

the path that leads to life and doesn't

even know it my son listen to me and do

everything I say stay away from a bad

woman don't even go near the door of her

house he will lose your self-respect and

end up in debt some cruel person for the

rest of your life

strangers will get your money and

everything else you have worked for when

it's all over your body will waste away

as you groan and shout

I hated advise and correction I paid no

attention to my teachers and now I am

disgraced in front of everyone you

should be faithful to your wife just as

you take water from your own well and

don't be like a stream from which just

any woman may take a drink save yourself

for your wife and don't have sex with

other women be happy with the wife you

married when you were young she is

beautiful and graceful just like a deer

you should be attracted to her and stay

deeply in love don't go crazy over a

woman who is unfaithful to her own

husband the Lord sees everything and he

watches us closely sinners are trapped

and caught by their own evil deeds they

get lost and die because of their

foolishness and lack of self-control

proverbs chapter 6

my child suppose you

agree to pay the debt of someone who

cannot repay a loan then you are trapped

by your own words and you are now in the

power of someone else here is what you

should do go and beg for permission to

call off the agreement do this before

you fall asleep or even get sleepy save

yourself just as a deer or a bird tries

to escape from a hunter you lazy people

can learn by watching an anthill ants

don't have leaders but they store up

food during harvest season how long will

you lie there doing nothing at all and

stop sleeping sleep a little a little

fold your hands and twiddle your thumbs

suddenly everything is gone as though it

had been taken by an armed robber

worthless Liars go around winking and

giving signals to deceive others they

are always thinking up something cruel

and evil and they stir up trouble but

they will be struck by sudden disaster

and left without a hope there are six or

seven kinds of people the Lord doesn't

like

those who are too proud or tell lies or

murder those who make evil plans or are

quick to do wrong those who tell lies in

court or stir up trouble in a family

obey the teaching of your parents always

keep it in mind and never forget it

their teaching will guide you when you

walk protect you when you sleep and talk

to you when you are awake the law of the

Lord is a lamp and its teachings shine

brightly correction and self-control

will lead you through life they will

protect you from the flattering words of

someone else's wife don't let yourself

be attracted by the charm and lovely

eyes of someone like that a woman who

sells her love can be bought for as

little as the price of a meal but making

love to another man's wife will cost you

everything to carry burning coals you

burn your clothes if you step on hot

coals you burn your feet and if you go

to bed with another man's wife you pay

the price

we don't put up with thieves not even

with one who steals for something to eat

and thieves who get caught must pay back

seven times what was stolen and lose

everything and if you go to bed with

another man's wife you will destroy

yourself by your own stupidity you will

be beaten and forever disgraced because

a jealous husband can be furious and

merciless when he takes revenge he won't

let you pay him off no matter what you offer.

proverbs chapter 7 My son pay

close attention and don't forget what I

tell you to do obey me and you will live

let my instructions be your greatest

treasure keep them at your fingertips

and write them in your mind

let wisdom be your sister and make

common sense your closest friend they

will protect you from the flattering

words of someone else's wife from the

window of my house I once happened to

see some foolish young men it was late

in the evening sometime after dark

one of these young men turned the corner

and was walking by the house of an

unfaithful wife she was dressed fancy

like a woman of the street with only one

thing in mind she was one of those women

who are loud and restless and never stay

at home who walk street after street

waiting to trap a man she grabbed him

and kissed him and with no sense of

shame she said I had to offer a

sacrifice and there is enough meat left

over for a feast so I came looking for

you and here you are the sheets on my

bed are bright colored cloth from Egypt

and I have covered it with perfume made

of myrrh aloes and cinnamon

let's go there and make love all night

my husband is traveling and he's far

away he took a lot of money along and he

won't be back home before the middle of

the month and so she tricked him with

all of her sweet talk and her flattery

right away he followed her like an ox on

the way to be slaughtered or like a fool

on the way to be punished and killed

with arrows he was no more than a bird

rushing into a trap without knowing it

would cost him his life

my son pay close attention to what I

have said don't even think about that

kind of one or let yourself be misled by

someone like her such a woman has caused

the downfall and destruction of a lot of

men a house is a one-way street leading

straight down to the world of the Dead

proverbs chapter 8

With great

understanding wisdom is calling out as

she stands at the crossroads and on

every Hill she stands by the city gate

where everyone enters the city and she

shouts I'm calling out to each one of

you good sense and sound judgment can be

yours listen because what I say is

worthwhile and right I always speak the

truth and refuse to tell a lie every

word I speak is honest not one is

misleading or deceptive if you have

understanding you will see that my words

are just what you need

let instruction and knowledge mean more

to you than silver or the finest gold

wisdom is worth much more than precious

jewels or anything else you desire

I am wisdom common sense is my closest

friend I possess knowledge and sound

judgment if you respect the Lord you

will hate evil

I hate Pride and conceit and deceitful

lies I am strong and I offer sensible

advice and sound judgment by my power

Kings govern and rulers make laws that

are fair

every honest leader rules with help from

me

I love everyone who loves me and I will

be found by all who honestly search I

can make you rich and famous important

and successful what you receive from me

is more valuable than even the finest

gold or the purest silver I always do

what is right and I give great riches to

everyone who loves me from the beginning

I was with the Lord I was there before

he began to create the earth at the very

first the Lord gave life to me when I

was born there were no oceans or Springs

of water my birth was before mountains

were formed or Hills were put in place

it happened long before God had made the

earth or any of its fields or even the

dust I was there when the Lord put the

heavens in place and stretched the sky

over the surface of the sea I was with

him when he placed the clouds in the sky

and created the springs that fill the

ocean I was there when he set boundaries

for the sea to make it obey Him and when

he laid foundations to support the earth

I was right beside the Lord helping him

plan and build I made him happy

each day and I was happy at his side I

was pleased with his world and pleased

with its people

pay attention my children follow my

advice and you will be happy

listen carefully to my instructions and

you will be wise

come to my home each day and listen to

me you will find happiness by finding me

you find life and the Lord will be

pleased with you but if you don't find

me you hurt only yourself and if you

hate me you are in love with death

proverbs chapter 9 wisdom has built her

house with its seven columns she has

prepared the meat and set out the wine

her feast is ready she has sent her

servant women to announce her invitation

from the highest hills everyone who is

ignorant or foolish is invited all of

you are welcome to my meat and wine if

you want to live give up your

foolishness and let understanding guide

your steps correct a worthless bragger

and all you get are insults and injuries

any bragger you correct will only hate

you

but if you correct someone who has

common sense you will be loved if you

have good sense instruction will help

you to have even better sense and if you

live right education will help you to

know even more respect and obey the Lord

this is the beginning of wisdom

to have understanding you must know the

holy God

I am wisdom if you follow me you will

live a long time good sense is good for

you but if you brag you hurt yourself

stupidity is reckless senseless and

foolish she sits in front of her house

and on the highest hills in the town she

shouts to everyone who passes by if you

are stupid come on inside and who every

fool she says stolen water tastes best

and the food you eat in secret tastes

best of all

none who listened to stupidity

understand that her guests are as good

as dead

proverbs chapter 10 here are some

Proverbs of Solomon children with good

sense make their parents happy but

foolish children make them sad what you

gain by doing evil won't help you at all

but being good can save you from death

if you obey the Lord

you won't go hungry if you are wicked

God won't let you have what you want

laziness leads to poverty hard work

makes you rich at harvest season it's

smart to work hard but stupid to sleep

everyone praises good people but evil

hides behind the words of the wicked

good people are remembered long after

they're gone but the wicked are soon

forgotten if you have good sense you

will listen and obey if all you do is

talk you will destroy yourself you will

be safe if you always do right but you

will get caught if you are dishonest

deceit causes trouble and foolish talk

will bring you to ruin the words of good

people are a source of life but evil

hides behind the words of the wicked

hatred stirs up trouble love overlooks

the wrongs that others do if you have

good sense it will show when you speak

but if you are stupid you will be beaten

with a stick if you have good sense you

will learn all you can but foolish talk

will soon destroy you great wealth can

be a fortress but poverty is no

protection at all if you live right the

reward is a good life if you are evil

all you have is sin except correction

and you will find life reject correction

and you will miss the road you can hide

your hatred by telling lies but you are

a fool to spread lies you will say the

wrong thing if you talk too much

so be sensible and watch what you say

the words of a good person are like pure

silver but the thoughts of an evil

person are almost worthless many are

helped by useful instruction but fools

are killed by their own stupidity

when the Lord blesses you with riches

you have nothing to regret

fools enjoy doing wrong but anyone with

good sense enjoys acting wisely what

evil people dread most will happen to

them but good people will get what they

want most those crooks will disappear

when a storm strikes but God will keep

safe all who obey Him having a lazy

person on the job is like a mouth full

of vinegar smoke in your eyes if you

respect the Lord you will live longer if

you keep doing wrong

your life will be cut short if you obey

the Lord you will be happy but there is

no future for the wicked the Lord

protects everyone who lives right but he

destroys anyone who does wrong good

people will stand firm but the wicked

will lose their land honest people speak

sensibly a deceitful Liars will be

silenced if you obey the Lord you will

always know the right thing to say but

no one will trust you if you tell lies

proverbs chapter 11 the Lord hates

anyone who cheats but he likes everyone

who is honest too much pride can put you

to shame it's wiser to be humble if you

do the right thing honesty will be your

guide but if you are crooked you will be

trapped by your own dishonesty when God

is angry money won't help you obeying

God is the only way to be saved from

if you are truly good you will do right

if you are wicked you will be destroyed

by your own sin honesty can keep you

safe but if you can't be trusted you

trap yourself when the wicked die their

hopes die with them trouble goes right

past the Lord's people and strikes the

wicked dishonest people use gossip to

destroy their neighbors good people are

protected by their own good sense when

honest people prosper and the wicked

disappear the whole city celebrates

when God blesses his people their city

prospers

but deceitful liars can destroy a city

it's stupid to say bad things about your

neighbors if you are sensible you will

keep quiet a gossip tells everything but

a true friend will keep a secret

a city without wise leaders will end up

in ruin a city with many wise leaders

will be kept safe it's a dangerous thing

to guarantee payment for someone's debts

don't do it a gracious woman will be

respected but a man must work hard to

get rich kindness is rewarded but if you

are cruel you hurt yourself

meanness gets you nowhere but goodness

is rewarded always do the right thing

and you will live keep on doing wrong

and you will die the Lord hates sneaky

people but he likes everyone who lives

right you can be sure of this all crooks

will be punished but God's people won't

a beautiful woman who acts foolishly is

like a gold ring on the snout of a pig

good people want what is best but

troublemakers hope to stir up trouble

sometimes you can become rich by being

generous or poor by being greedy

generosity will be rewarded give a cup

of water and you will receive a cup of

water in return charge too much for

grain and you will be cursed sell it at

a fair price and you will be praised try

hard to do right and you will win

friends go looking for trouble and you

will find it trust in your wealth and

you will be a failure but God's people

will prosper like healthy plants fools

who cause trouble in the family won't

inherit a thing they will end up as

slaves of someone with good since

live right and you will eat from the

life-giving tree and if you act wisely

others will follow if good people are

rewarded here on this earth all who are

cruel and mean will surely be punished

proverbs chapter 12 to accept correction

is wise to reject it is stupid the Lord

likes everyone who lives right but he

punishes everyone who makes evil plans

sin cannot offer security but if you

live right you will be as secure as a

tree with deep roots a helpful wife is a

juror for her husband but a shameless

wife will make his bones rot good people

have kind thoughts but you should never

trust the advice of someone evil bad

advice is a deadly trap but good advice

is like a shield once the wicked are

defeated they are gone forever but no

one who obeys God will ever be thrown

down good sense is worthy of praise but

stupidity is a curse it's better to be

ordinary and have only one servant than

to think you are somebody and starve to

death good people are kind to the

animals but a mean person is cruel

hard-working farmers have more than

enough food day dreamers are nothing

more than stupid fools an evil person

tries to hide behind evil good people

are like trees with deep roots we trap

ourselves by telling lies but we stay

out of trouble by living right we are

rewarded or punished for what we say and

do fools think they know what is best

but a sensible person listens to advice

losing your temper is foolish ignoring

an insult is smart an honest person

tells the truth in court but a dishonest

person tells nothing but lies sharp

words cut like a sword but words of

wisdom heal truth will last forever lies

are soon found out an evil mind is

deceitful but gentle thoughts bring

happiness good people never have trouble

but troublemakers had more than enough

the Lord hates every life but he is the

friend of all who can be trusted be

sensible and don't tell everything you know.

Only fools spread foolishness everywhere.

Work hard and become a leader;

be lazy and become a slave.

and you will end up a slave

Worry is a heavy burden, but a kind word

always brings cheer. you're better off do right

than to lose your way by doing wrong.

anyone too lazy to cook will

starve, but a hard worker is a valuable

treasure follow the road to life and you

won't be bothered by deaths proverbs

chapter 13 Children with good sense

accept correction from their parents but

stubborn children ignore it completely

you will be well rewarded for saying

something kind but all some people think

about is how to be cruel and mean keep

what you know to yourself and you will

be safe talk too much and you are done

for no matter how much you want lays in

his word help a bit but hard work will

reward you with more than enough a good

person hates deceit but those who are

evil cause shame and disgrace live right

and you are safe but sin will destroy

you

some who have nothing may pretend to be

rich and some who have everything they

pretend to be poor the rich may have to

pay a ransom but the poor don't have

that problem the lamp of a good person

keeps on shining the lamp of an evil

person soon goes out too much pride

causes trouble be sensible and take

advice money wrongly gotten will

disappear bit by bit will grow and grow

not getting what you want can make you

feel sick but a wish that comes true is

a life-giving tree if you reject God's

teaching you will pay the price if you

obey his commands you will be rewarded

sensible instruction is a life-giving

fountain that helps you escape all

deadly traps sound judgment is praised

but people without good sense are on the

way to disaster if you have good sense

you will act sensibly but fools act like

fools whoever delivers your message can

make things better or worse for you all

who refuse correction will be poor and

disgraced all who accept correction will

be praised it's a good feeling to get

what you want but only a stupid fool

hates to turn from evil wise friends

make you wise but you hurt yourself by

going around with fools you are in for

trouble if you sin but you will be

rewarded if you live right if you obeyed

God you will have something to leave

your grandchildren if you don't obey God

those who live right will get what you

leave even when the land of the poor

produces good crops they get cheated out

of what they grow if you love your

children you will correct them

if you don't love them you won't correct

them if you live right you will have

plenty to eat if you don't live right

you will go away empty.

proverbs chapter 14 A woman's family is held together by

her wisdom but it can be destroyed by

her foolishness by living right you show

that you respect the Lord by being

deceitful you show that you despise him

proud fools are punished for their

stupid talk but sensible talk can save

your life without the help of an ox

there can be no crop but with a strong

ox a big crop is possible an honest

witness tells the truth a dishonest

witness tells nothing but lies

make fun of wisdom and you will never

find it but if you have understanding

knowledge comes easily stay away from

fools or you won't learn a thing wise

people have enough sense to find their

way but stupid fools get lost fools

don't care if they're wrong but God is

pleased when people do right no one else

can really know how sad or happy you are

the tenth of a good person stands longer

than the house of someone evil you may

think you are on the right Road and

still end up dead sorrow may hide behind

laughter and happiness may end in sorrow

you harvest what you plant whether good

or bad

don't be stupid and believe all you hear

be smart and know where you are headed

only a stupid fool is never cautious so

be extra careful and stay out of trouble

fools have quick tempers and no one

likes you you can't be trusted

stupidity leads to foolishness be smart

and learn

the wicked will come crawling to those

who obey God you have no friends if you

are poor but you have lots of friends if

you are rich it's wrong to hate others

but God blesses everyone who is kind to

the poor it's a mistake to make evil

plans but you will have loyal friends if

you want to do right

hard work is worthwhile but empty talk

and make you poor wisdom can make you

rich but foolishness leads to more

foolishness and on his witness can save

your life but Liars can't be trusted if

you respect the Lord you and your

children have a strong fortress and a

life-giving fountain that keeps you safe

from deadly traps rulers of powerful

nations are held in honor rulers of

weakened Asians are nothing at all it's

smart to be patient but it's stupid to

lose your temper it's healthy to be

contempt but envy can eat you up

if you mistreat the poor you insult your

Creator if you are kind to them you show

him respect in times of trouble the

wicked are destroyed but even at death

the innocent have faith

wisdom is found in the minds of people

with good sense but fools don't know it

doing right brings honor to a nation but

sin brings disgrace Kings reward

servants who act wisely but they punish

those who act foolishly. proverbs chapter 15

a kind answer soothes angry feelings

but harsh words stir them up

words of wisdom come from the wise but

fools speak foolishness the Lord sees

everything whether good or bad kind

words are good medicine but deceitful

words can really hurt don't be a fool

and disobey your parents be smart accept

correction good people become wealthy

but those who are evil will lose what

they have words of wisdom make good

sense the thoughts of a fool make no

sense at all

the Lord is disgusted by gifts from the

wicked but it makes him happy when his

people pray the Lord is disgusted with

all who do wrong but he loves everyone

who does right

if you turn from the right way you will

be punished if you refuse correction you

will die if the Lord can see everything

in the world of the Dead he can see in

our hearts

those who sneer at others don't like to

be corrected and they won't ask help

from someone with sense happiness makes

you smile sorrow can crush you anyone

with good sense is eager to learn more

but fools are hungry for foolishness but

being content is as good as an endless

feast it's better to obey the Lord and

have only a little than to be very rich

and terribly confused a simple meal with

love is better than a feast where there

is hatred losing your temper causes a

lot of trouble but staying calm settles

arguments being lazy is like walking in

a forum patch but everyone who does

right walks on a smooth Road children

with good sense make their parents happy

but foolish children are hateful to them

stupidity brings happiness to senseless

fools but everyone with good sense

follows the straight path without good

advice everything goes wrong it takes

careful planning for things to go right

giving the right answer at the right

time makes everyone happy all who are

wise follow a road that leads upward to

life and away from death

the Lord destroys the homes of those who

are proud but he protects the property

of widows the Lord hates evil thoughts

but kind words please him being greedy

causes trouble for your family but you

protect yourself by refusing bribes good

people think before they answer the

wicked speak evil without ever thinking

the Lord never even hears the prayers of

the wicked but he answers the prayers of

all who obey Him a friendly smile makes

you happy and good news makes you feel

strong healthy correction is good and if

you accept it you will be wise you had

only yourself by rejecting instruction

but it makes good sense to accept it

showing respect to the Lord will make

you wise and being humble will bring

honor to you. proverbs chapter 16

We humans make plans but the Lord has the

final word we may think we know what is

right but the Lord is the judge of our

motives share your plans with the Lord

and you will succeed the Lord has a

reason for everything he does and he

lets evil people live only to be

punished the Lord doesn't like anyone

who is conceited you can be sure they

will be punished

if we truly love God our sins will be

forgiven if we show him respect

we will keep away from sin when we

please the Lord even our enemies make

friends with us it's better to be honest

and poor than to be dishonest and rich

we make our own plans but the Lord

decides where we will go rulers speak

with authority and are never wrong

the Lord doesn't like it when we cheat

in business justice makes rulers

powerful they should hate evil and like

honesty and truth an angry ruler can put

you to death so be wise don't make one

angry when a ruler is happy and pleased

with you it's like refreshing rain and

you will live it's much better to be

wise and sensible and to be rich God's

people avoid evil ways and they protect

themselves by watching where they go too

much pride will destroy you you're

better off to be humble and poor than to

get rich from what you take by force if

you know what you're doing you will

prosper God blesses everyone who trusts

him

good judgment proves that you are wise

and if you speak kindly you can teach

others good sense is a fountain that

gives life but fools are punished by

their foolishness you can persuade

others if you are wise and speak

sensibly kind words are like honey they

cheer you up and make you feel strong

sometimes what seems right is really a

road to death the hungrier you are the

harder you work worthless people plan

trouble even their words burn like a

flaming fire gossip is no good it causes

hard feelings and comes between friends

don't trust violent people they will

mislead you to do the wrong thing when

someone winks or grins behind your back

trouble is on the way gray hair is a

glorious crown worn by those who have

lived right controlling your temper is

better than being a hero who captures a

city we make our own decisions but the

Lord alone determines what happens

proverbs chapter 17 a dry crust of bread

eaten in peace and quiet

is better than a feast eaten where

everyone argues a hard-working slave

will replace in charge of a no-good

child and that slave will be given the

same inheritance that each child

receives silver and gold are tested by

flames of fire our thoughts are tested

by the Lord

troublemakers listen to troublemakers

and Liars listen to Liars by insulting

the poor you insult your Creator you

will be punished if you make fun of

someone in trouble

grandparents are proud of their

grandchildren and children should be

proud of their parents it sounds strange

for a fool to talk sensibly but it's

even worse for a ruler to tell lies a

bribe works miracles like a magic charm

that brings good luck you will keep your

friends if you forgive them but you will

lose your friends if you keep talking

about what they did wrong a sensible

person accepts correction but you can't

beat sense into a fool

cruel people want to rebel and so

vicious attackers will be sent against

them a bear robbed of her cubs is far

less dangerous than a stubborn fool you

will always have trouble if you are mean

to those who are good to you the start

of an argument is like a water leak so

stop it before real trouble breaks out

the law doesn't like those who defend

the guilty or condemn the innocent why

should fools have money for an education

when they refuse to learn a friend is

always a friend and relatives are born

to share our troubles it's stupid to

guarantee someone else's loan a wicked

and the proud love trouble and keep

begging to be hurt dishonesty does you

no good and telling lies will get you in

trouble it's never pleasant to be the

parent of a fool and have nothing but

pain if you are cheerful you feel good

if you are sad you hurt all over

crooks except secret bribes to keep

justice from being done

anyone with wisdom knows what makes good

sense but fools can never make up their

minds foolish children bring sorrow to

their father and pain to their mother it

isn't fair to punish the innocent and

those who do right

it makes a lot of sense to be a person

of few words and to stay calm

even fools seem smart when they are

quiet proverbs chapter 18 it's selfish

and stupid to think only of yourself and

to sneer of people who have since fools

have no desire to learn they would much

rather give their own opinion wrongdoing

leads to shame and disgrace

words of wisdom are a stream that flows

from a deep fountain it's wrong to favor

the guilty and keep the innocent from

getting justice foolish talk will get

you into a lot of trouble saying foolish

things is like setting a trap to destroy

yourself there's nothing so delicious as

the taste of gossip it melts in your

mouth

being lazy is no different from being a

troublemaker the Lord is a mighty tower

where his people can run for safety the

rich think their money is a wall of

protection pride leads to destruction

humility leads to honor it's stupid and

embarrassing to give an answer before

you listen being cheerful helps when we

are sick but nothing helps when we give

up everyone with good sense wants to

learn a gift will get you in to see

anyone

you may think you have won your case in

court until your opponent

speaks drawing straws is one way to

settle a difficult case making up with a

friend you have offended is harder than

breaking through a city wall make your

words good you will be glad you did

words can bring death or life talk too

much and you will eat everything you say

a man's greatest treasure is his wife

she is a gift from the Lord the poor

must beg for help but the rich can give

a harsh reply some friends don't help

but a true friend is closer than your

own family

proverbs chapter 19 it's better to be

poor and live right than to be a stupid

liar willingness and stupidity don't go

well together if you are too eager you

will miss the road we are ruined by our

own stupidity though we blame the Lord

the rich have many friends the poor have

none dishonest witnesses and liars

weren't escaped punishment everyone

tries to be friends of those who can

help them if you are poor your own

relatives reject you and your friends

are worse when you really need them they

are not there

do yourself a favor by having good sense.

Dishonest witnesses and liars

will be destroyed.

it isn't right for a fool to

live in luxury or for a slave to rule in

in place of a king. it's wise to be patient,

and show what you are like by forgiving

others an angry King roars like a lion

but when a king is pleased

it's like dew on the crops a foolish son

brings disgrace to his father a nagging

wife goes on and on like the drip drip

drip of the rain you may inherit all you

own from your parents but a sensible

wife is a gift from the Lord if you are

lazy and sleep your time away you will

starve obey the Lord's teachings and you

will live disobey and you will die

caring for the poor is lending to the

Lord and you will be well repaid correct

your children before it's too late

if you don't punish them you are

destroying them people with bad tempers

are always in trouble and they need help

over and over again pay attention to

advice and accept correction so you can

live sensibly we may make a lot of plans

but the Lord will do what he has decided

what matters most is loyalty it's better

to be poor than to be a liar showing

respect to the Lord brings true life if

you do it you can relax without fear of

danger some people are too lazy to lift

a hand to feed themselves stupid fools

learn good sense by seeing others

punished a sensible person learns by

being corrected

children who bring disgrace Rob their

father and chase their mother away if

you stop learning you will forget what

you already know a lying witness makes

fun of the court system and criminals

think crime is really delicious every

stupid fool is just waiting to be punished.

proverbs chapter 20 it isn't

smart to get drunk drinking makes a fool

of you and leads to fights an angry

ruler is like a roaring lion make either

one angry and you are dead it makes you

look good when you avoid a fight Only

Fools love to quarrel if you are too

lazy to plow don't expect a harvest

someone's thoughts may be as deep as the

ocean but if you are smart you will

discover them there are many who say you

can trust me but can they be trusted

good people live right and God blesses

the children who follow their example

when rulers decide cases they weigh the

evidence can any of us really say my

thoughts are pure and my sins are gone

two things the Lord hates our dishonest

scales and dishonest measures the good

or bad that children do shows what they

are like hearing and seeing are gifts

from the Lord

if you sleep all the time you will

starve get up and work you will have

enough food everyone likes to brag about

getting a bargain sensible words are

better than gold or jewels you deserve

to lose your coat if you loan it to

someone to guarantee payment for the

death of a stranger the food will get by

cheating may taste delicious but it

turns to gravel be sure you have sound

advice before making plans or starting a

war stay away from gossips they tell

everything children who curse their

parents will go to the land of darkness

long before their time getting rich

quick may turn out to be a curse don't

try to get even trust the Lord and He

will help you

the Lord hates dishonest scales and

dishonest weights so don't cheat how can

we know what will happen to us when the

Lord alone decides don't fall into the

trap of making promises to God before

you think a wise ruler severely punishes

every criminal our inner thoughts are a

lamp from the Lord and they search our

hearts rulers are protected by God's

mercy and loyalty but they must be

merciful for their kingdoms to last

young people take pride in their

strength but the gray hairs of wisdom

are even more beautiful a severe beating

can knock all of the evil out of you

proverbs chapter 21 the Lord controls

rulers just as he determines the course

of rivers we may think we are doing the

right thing but the Lord always knows

what is in our hearts doing what is

right and fair pleases the Lord more

than an offering evil people are proud

and arrogant but sin is the only crop

they produce if you plan and work hard

you will have plenty did you get in a

hurry you will end up poor cheating to

get rich is a foolish dream and no less

than suicide you destroy yourself by

being cruel and violent and refusing to

live right all crooks are liars

but anyone who is innocent will do right

it's better to stay outside on the roof

of your house and to live inside with a

nagging wife even people want to do

wrong even to their friends and ignorant

fool learns by seeing others punished a

sensible person learns by being

instructed God is always fair he knows

what the wicked do and will punish them

if you weren't help the poor don't

expect to be heard when you cry out for

help

a secret bribe will save you from

someone's fierce anger

when justice is done good citizens are

glad and crooks are terrified if you

stop using good sense you will find

yourself in the grave heavy drinkers and

others who live earn if a pleasure will

lose all they have God's people will

escape but all who are wicked will pay

the price it's better out in the desert

than at home with a nagging complaining

wife be sensible and store up precious

treasures don't waste them like a fool

if you try to be kind and good you will

be blessed with life and goodness and

honor one wise person can defeat a city

full of soldiers and capture their

fortress watching what you say can save

you a lot of trouble if you are proud

and conceited everyone will say you're a

slob if you want too much and are too

lazy to work it could be fatal but

people who obey God are always generous

the Lord despises the offerings of

wicked people with evil motives

if you tell lies in court you are done

for only a reliable witness can do the

job wicked people Bluff their way but

God's people think before they take a

step

no matter how much you know or what

plans you make you can't defeat the Lord

even if your army has forces ready for

battle the Lord will always win

proverbs chapter 22 a good reputation

and respect are worth much more than

silver and gold the rich and the poor

are all created by the Lord when you see

trouble coming

don't be stupid and walk right into it

be smart and hide respect and serve the

Lord your reward will be wealth a long

life and honor crooks walk down a road

full of thorny traps stay away from

there teach your children right from

wrong and when they are grown they will

still do right the poor are ruled by the

rich and those who borrow are slaves of

moneylenders troublemakers get in

trouble and their terrible anger will

get them nowhere Lord blesses everyone

who freely gives food to the poor

arguments and fights will come to an end

if you chase away those who insult

others the king is the friend of all who

are sincere and speak with kindness the

Lord watches over everyone who shows

good sense but he frustrates the plans

of deceitful Liars don't be so lazy that

you say if I go to work a lion will eat

me

the words of a bad woman are like a deep

pit if you make the Lord angry you will

fall right in all children are foolish

but firm correction will make them

change cheat the poor to make profit or

give gifts to the rich either way you

lose

here are some sayings of people with

wisdom so listen carefully as I teach

you will be glad that you know these

sayings and can recite them I am

teaching them today so that you may

trust the Lord I have written 30 sayings

filled with sound advice you can trust

them completely to give you the right

words for those in charge of you don't

take advantage of the poor or cheat them

in court the Lord is their defender and

what you do to them

he will do to you don't make friends

with anyone who has a bad temper you

might turn out like them and get caught

in a trap don't guarantee to pay someone

else's debt you don't have the money you

might lose your bed

don't move a boundary marker set up by

your ancestors if you do your job well

you will work for a ruler and never be a slave.

proverbs chapter 23 when you are

invited to eat with a key who's your

best manners don't go and stuff yourself

that would be just the same as cutting

your throat don't be greedy for all of

that fancy food it may not be so tasty

give up trying so hard to get rich your

money flies away before you know it just

like an eagle suddenly taking off don't

accept an invitation to eat a selfish

person's food no matter how good it is

people like that take note of how much

you eat

they say take all you want but they

don't mean it each bite will come back

up and all your kind words will be

wasted don't talk to fools they will

just make fun don't move a boundary

marker or take the land that belongs to

orphans

God all-powerful is there to defend them

against you

listen to instruction and do your best

to learn don't fail to correct your

children you won't kill them by being

firm and it may even save their lives my

children if you show good sense I will

be happy and if you are truthful

I will really be glad don't be jealous

of sinners but always honor the Lord

then you will truly have hope for the

future listen to me my children be wise

and have enough sense to follow the

right path don't be a heavy drinker or

stuff yourself with food it will make

you feel drowsy and you will end up poor

with only rags to wear pay attention to

your father and don't neglect your

mother when she grows old invest in

truth and wisdom discipline and good

sense and don't part with them make your

father truly happy by living right and

showing sound judgment make your parents

proud especially your mother

my son pay close attention and gladly

follow my example bad women and

unfaithful wives or like a deep pit they

are waiting to attack you like a gang of

robbers with victim after victim who is

always in trouble

who argues and fights who has cuts and

bruises whose eyes are red everyone who

stays up late having just one more drink

don't even look at that colorful stuff

bubbling up in the glass it goes down so

easily but later it bites like a

poisonous snake you will see weird

things and your mind will play tricks on

you you will feel tossed about like

someone trying to sleep on a ship in a

storm you will be bruised all over

without even remembering how it all

happened and you lie awake asking when

will morning come so I can drink some

more proverbs chapter 24

don't be jealous of crooks or want to be

their friends all they think about and

talk about is violence and cruelty use

wisdom and understanding to establish

your home let good sense fill the rooms

with priceless treasures wisdom brings

strength and knowledge gives power

battles are won by listening to advice

and making a lot of plans wisdom is too

much for fools their advice is no good

no one but troublemakers think up

trouble everyone hates senseless fools

who think up ways to sin don't give up

and be helpless in times of trouble

don't fail to rescue those who are

doomed to die don't say I didn't know it

God can read your mind

he watches each of us and knows our

thoughts and God will pay us back for

what we do honey is good for you my

children and it tastes sweet wisdom is

like honey for your life if you find it

your future is bright don't be a cruel

person who attacks good people and hurt

their families even if good people fall

seven times they will get back up but

when trouble strikes the wicked that's

the end of them

don't be happy to see your enemies trip

and fall down the Lord will find out and

be unhappy then he will stop being angry

with them

don't let evil people worry you or make

you jealous they will soon be gone like

the flame of a lamp that burns out my

children you must respect the Lord in

the king and you must not make friends

with anyone who rebels against either of

them

who knows what sudden disaster the Lord

or a ruler might bring here are some

more sayings that make good sense when

you judge you must be fair if you let

the guilty go free people of all nations

will hate and curse you but if you

punish the guilty things will go well

for you and you will prosper giving an

honest answer is a sign of true

friendship get your fields ready and

plant your crops before starting a home

don't accuse anyone who isn't guilty

don't ever tell a lie or say to someone

I'll get even with you I once walked by

the field of the vineyard of a lazy fool

thorns and weeds were everywhere and the

stone wall had fallen down when I saw

this it taught me a lesson sleep a

little doze a little fold your hands and

twiddle your thumbs suddenly poverty

hits you and everything is gone

proverbs chapter 25 here are more of

Solomon's proverbs they were copied by

the officials of king Hezekiah of Judah

God is praised for being mysterious

rulers are praised for explaining mysteries.

who can fully understand the

thoughts of a ruler? they reach beyond

the sky and go deep in the earth.

Silver must be purified before it can be used

to make something of value.

Evil people must be removed before anyone

can rule with justice.

don't try to seem important in the court

of a ruler, it's better for the ruler to

give you a high position and for you to

be embarrassed in front of royal officials.

be sure you are right before

you sue someone or you might lose your

case and be embarrassed when you and

someone else can't get along don't

gossip about it others will find out and

your reputation will then be ruined the

right word at the right time is like

precious gold set in silver listening to

good advice is worth much more than

jewelry made of gold a messenger you can

trust is just as refreshing as cool

water in summer

broken promises are worse than rain

clouds that don't bring rain patience

and gentle talk can convince a ruler and

overcome any problem eating too much

honey can make you sick don't visit

friends too often or they will get tired

of it and stopped hating you telling

lies about friends is like attacking

them with clubs and swords and sharp

arrows a friend you can't trust in times

of trouble is like having a toothache or

a sore foot singing to someone in deep

sorrow is like pouring vinegar in an

open cut if your enemies are hungry give

them something to eat and if they are

thirsty give them something to drink

this will be the same as piling burning

coals on their heads and the Lord will

reward you as surely as rain blows in

from the north

anger is caused by cruel words it's

better to stay outside on the roof of

your house than to live inside with a

nagging wife good news from far away

refreshes like cold water when you are

thirsty when a good person gives in to

the wicked it's like dumping garbage in

a stream of clear water don't eat too

much honey or always want praise losing

self-control leaves you as hopeless as a

city without a wall

proverbs chapter 26

Expecting snow in summer

and rain in the dry season makes more

sense than honoring a fool a curse you

don't deserve we'll take wings and fly

away like a sparrow or swallow horses

and donkeys must be beaten and bridled

and so must fools don't make a fool of

yourself by answering a fool but if you

answer any fools show how foolish they

are so they won't feel smart sending a

message by a fool is like chopping off

your foot and drinking poison a fool

with words of wisdom is like an athlete

with legs that can't move are you going

Are you going to honor a fool? why not shoot a

slingshot with the rock tied tight?

A thornbush waved around in the hand of a

drunkard is no worse than a proverb in

the mouth of a fool. it's no smarter to

shoot arrows at every passerby than it

is to hire a bunch of worthless nobodies

dogs return to eat their vomit just as

Fools repeat their foolishness there is

more hope for a fool than for someone

who says I really smart

don't be lazy and keep saying there's a

lion outside a door turns on its hinges

but a lazy person just turns over in bed

some of us are so lazy that we won't

lift a hand to feed ourselves a lazy

person says I am smarter than everyone

else it's better to take hold of a mad

dog by the ears than to take part in

someone else's argument it's no crazier

to shoot sharp and flaming arrows and to

cheat someone and say I was only fooling

where there is no fuel a fire goes out

where there is no gossip arguments come

to an end

troublemakers start trouble just as

sparks and fuel start afar there is

nothing so delicious as the taste of

gossip it melts in your mouth

hiding hateful thoughts behind smooth

talk is like coating a clay pot with a

cheap glaze the pleasant talk of an

enemy hides more evil plans than can be

counted so don't believe a word everyone

will see through those evil plans if you

dig a pit you will fall in if you start

a stone rolling it will roll back on you

watch out for anyone who tells lies and

flatters they are out to get you

proverbs chapter 27 Don't brag about

tomorrow each day brings its own

surprises

don't brag about yourself let others

praise you stones and sand are heavy but

trouble caused by a fool is a much

heavier load an angry person is

dangerous but a jealous person is even

worse a truly good friend will openly

correct you you can trust a friend who

corrects you but kisses from an enemy

are nothing but lies if you have had

enough to eat honey doesn't taste good

but if you are really hungry you will

eat anything when you are far from home

you feel like a bird without a nest the

sweet smell of incense can make you feel

good but true friendship is better still

don't desert an old friend of your

family or visit your relatives when you

are in trouble a friend nearby is better

than relatives far away my child show

good sense then I will be happy and able

to answer anyone who criticizes me be

cautious and hide when you see danger

don't be stupid and walk right into

trouble

don't loan money to a stranger unless

you are given something to guarantee

payment aloud greeting early in the

morning is the same as a curse a steady

dripping of rain and the nagging of a

wife are one and the same it's easier to

catch the wind or hold olive oil in your

hand and to stop a nagging wife just as

iron sharpens iron friends sharpen the

minds of each other take care of a tree

and you will eat its fruit look after

your master and you will be praised you

see your face in a mirror and your

thoughts in the minds of others death

and the grave are never satisfied and

neither are we

gold and silver are tested in a red-hot

furnace but we are tested by praise no

matter how hard you beat a fool you

can't pound out the foolishness you

should take good care of your sheep and

goats because wealth and honor don't

last forever after the hay is cut and

the new growth appears and the harvest

is over you can sell lambs and goats to

buy clothes and land from the milk of

the goats you can make enough cheese to

feed your family and all your servants

proverbs chapter 28 wicked people run

away when no one chases them but those

who live right are as brave as lions in

time of Civil War there are many leaders

but a sensible leader restores law and

order when someone poor takes over and

mistreats the poor it's like a heavy

rain destroying the crops lawbreakers

preys criminals but law-abiding citizens

always oppose them criminals don't know

what justice means but all who respect

the Lord understand it completely it's

better to be poor and live right than to

be rich and dishonest

it makes good sense to obey the law of

God but you disgrace your parents if you

make friends with worthless nobodies if

you make money by charging high interest

rates you will lose it all to someone

who cares for the poor God cannot stand

the prayers of anyone who disobeys his

law by leading good people to sin you

dig a pit for yourself but all who live

right will have a bright future the rich

think highly of themselves but anyone

poor and sensible sees right through

them when an honest person wins it's

time to celebrate when crooks are in

control it's best to hide if you don't

confess your sins you will be a failure

but God will be merciful

if you confess your sins and give them

up.

the Lord blesses everyone who is afraid

to do evil but if you are cruel you will

end up in trouble. A ruler who mistreats the poor

is like a roaring lion or a bear

hunting for food, a heartless leader is a

fool but anyone who refuses to get rich

by cheating others will live a long time

Don't give help to murderers make them

stay on the run for as long as they live

honesty will keep you safe but everyone

who is crooked will suddenly fall work

hard and you will have a lot of food

waste time and you will have a lot of

trouble God blesses his loyal people but

punishes all who want to get rich quick

it isn't right to be unfair but some

people can be bribed with only a piece

of bread don't be selfish and eager to

get rich you will end up worse off than

you can imagine

honest correction is appreciated more

than flattery

if you cheat your parents and don't

think it's wrong you are a common thief

selfish people cause trouble but you

will live a full life if you trust the

Lord

Only Fools would trust what they alone

think but if you live by wisdom you will

do all right

giving to the poor will keep you from

poverty but if you close your eyes to

their needs

everyone will curse you when crooks are

in control everyone tries to hide but

when they lose power good people are

everywhere

proverbs chapter 29 if you keep being

stubborn

after many warnings you will suddenly

discover you have gone too far when

justice rules a nation everyone is glad

when injustice rules everyone groans if

you love wisdom your parents will be

glad but chasing after bad women will

cost you everything

an honest ruler makes the nation strong

a ruler who takes bribes will bring it

to ruin flattery is nothing less than

setting a trap your sins will catch you

but everyone who lives right will sing

and celebrate the wicked don't care

about the rights of the poor but good

people do sneering at others is a spark

that sets a city on fire using good

sense and put out the flames of anger be

wise and don't you a fool you won't get

satisfaction because all the fool would

do is sneer and shout a murderer hates

everyone who is honest and lives right

don't be a fool and quickly lose your

temper be sensible and patient

a ruler who listens to lies will have

corrupt officials the poor had all who

abused them must each depend on God for

light Kings who are fair to the former

will rule forever correct your children

and they will be wise children out of

control disgraced their mother's crime

increases when crooks are in power but

law-abiding citizens will see them fall

if you correct your children they will

bring you peace and happiness without

guidance from God law and order

disappear but God blesses everyone for

pays his law even when servants are

smart it takes more than words to make

them obey there is more hope for a fool

and for someone who speaks without

thinking slaves that you treat kind live

from their childhood will cause you

sorrow a person with a quick temper

stirs up arguments and commits a lot of

sins too much pride brings disgrace

humility leads to honor

if you take part in a crime you are your

worst enemy because even under oath you

can't tell the truth don't fall into the

trap of being a coward trust the Lord

and you will be safe many try to make

friends with a ruler but justice comes

from the Lord good people and criminals

can't stand each other

proverbs chapter 30 these are the

sayings and the message of acre son of

Jacob someone cries out to God I am

completely worn out how can I last I am

far too stupid to be considered human

I never was wise and I don't understand

what God is like has anyone gone up to

heaven and come back down

has anyone grabbed hold of the wind has

anyone wrapped up the sea or marked out

boundaries for the earth if you know of

any who have done such things then tell

me their names and their children's

names everything God says is true and

it's a shield for all who come to him

for safety don't change what God has

said he will correct you and show that

you are a liar there are two things Lord

I want you to do for me before I die

make me absolutely honest and don't let

me be too poor or too rich give me just

what I need if I have too much to eat I

might forget about you if I don't have

enough I might steal and disgrace your

name

don't tell a slave-owner something bad

about one of the slaves that slave will

curse you and you will be in trouble

some people curse their father and even

their mother others think they are

perfect but they are stained by sin some

people are stuck up and act like snobs

others are so greedy that they gobble

down the poor and homeless greed has

twins each named give me there are three

or four things that are never satisfied

the world of the dead and a childless

wife the thirsty earth and a flaming

fire don't make fun of your father or

disobey your mother crows will Peck out

your eyes and buzzards will eat the rest

of you there are three or four things I

cannot understand how Eagles fly so high

or snakes crawl on rocks how ships sail

the ocean or people fall in love

an unfaithful wife says sleeping with

another man is as natural as eating

there are three or four things that make

the earth tremble and are unbearable a

slave who becomes king a fool who eats

too much a hateful woman who finds a

husband and the slave who takes the

place of the woman who owns her

on this earth four things are small but

very wise ants who seemed to be feeble

but store up food all summer long

Badgers who seem to be weak but live

among the rocks locust who have no king

but March like an army lizards which can

be caught in your hand but sneak into

palaces three or four creatures really

strut around those fearless lions who

rule the jungle those proud roosters

those mountain goats and those rulers

who have no enemies

if you are foolishly bragging or

planning something evil then stop it now

if you churn milk you get butter if you

pound on your nose you get blood and if

you stay angry you get in trouble

proverbs chapter 31 these are the

sayings that King Lemuel of Massa was

taught by his mother: my son Lemuel you

were born in answer to my prayers so

listen carefully don't waste your life

chasing after women this has ruined many

kings kings and leaders should not get

drunk or even want to drink drinking

makes you forget your responsibilities

and you mistreat the poor beer and wine

are only for the dying or for those who

have lost all hope let them drink and

forget how poor and miserable they feel

but you must defend those who are

helpless and have no hope

be fair and give justice to the poor and

homeless a truly good wife is the most

precious treasure a man can find her

husband depends on her and she never

lets him down she is good to him every

day of her life and with her own hands

she gladly makes clothes she is like a

sailing ship that brings food from

across the sea she gets up before

daylight to prepare food for her family

and for her servants she knows how to

buy land and how to plant a vineyard and

she always works hard she knows when to

buy or sell and she stays busy until

late at night she spins her own cloth

and she helped the poor of the needy

her family has warm clothing and so she

doesn't worry when it snows she does her

own sewing and everything she wears is

beautiful

her husband is a well known and

respected leader in the city she makes

clothes to sell to the shop owners she

is strong and graceful as well as

cheerful about the future

her words are sensible and her advice is

thoughtful she takes good care of her

family and is never lazy her children

praise her and with great pride her

husband says there are many good women

but you are the best charm can be

deceiving and beauty fades away but a

woman who honors the Lord deserves to be

praised show her respect praise her in

public for what she has done