Proverbs - The Old Testament

¹ Wisdom builds herself a house; with her own hands Folly pulls it down.

² Whoever keeps to an honest course fears Yahweh, whoever deserts his paths shows contempt for him.

³ Pride sprouts in the mouth of the fool, the lips of the wise keep them safe.

⁴ No oxen, empty manger; strong bull, much cash.

⁵ The truthful witness tells no lies, the false witness lies with every breath.

⁶ In vain the mocker looks for wisdom, knowledge comes easy to the intelligent.

⁷ Keep well clear of the fool, you will not find wise lips there.

⁸ With people of discretion, wisdom keeps a watch over their conduct, but the folly of fools leads them astray.

⁹ Fools mock at the sacrifice for sin, but favour resides among the honest.

¹⁰ The heart knows its own grief best, nor can a stranger share its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed, the tent of the honest will prosper.

¹² There are ways that some think straight, but they lead in the end to death.

¹³ Even in laughter the heart finds sadness, and joy makes way for sorrow.

¹⁴ The miscreant will reap the reward of his conduct, and the good the reward of his deeds.

¹⁵ The simpleton believes any message, a person of discretion treads a careful path.

¹⁶ The wise fears evil and avoids it, the fool is insolent and conceited.

¹⁷ A quick-tempered person commits rash acts, but a schemer is detestable.

¹⁸ Simpletons have folly for their portion, people of discretion knowledge for their crown.

¹⁹ The evil bow down before the good, the wicked, at the gates of the upright.

²⁰ The poor is detestable even to a friend, but many are they who love someone rich.

²¹ One who despises the needy is at fault, one who takes pity on the poor is blessed.

²² Plan evil -- isn't this to go astray? Those who plan for good can earn faithful love and constancy.

²³ Hard work always yields its profit, idle talk brings only want.

²⁴ The crown of the wise is their riches; the folly of fools is folly.

²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives, whoever utters lies is a deceiver.

²⁶ In the fear of Yahweh is powerful security; for his children he is a refuge.

²⁷ The fear of Yahweh is a life-giving spring for eluding the snares of death.

²⁸ Large population, monarch's glory; dwindling population, ruler's ruin.

²⁹ Mastery of temper is high proof of intelligence, a quick temper makes folly worse than ever.

³⁰ The life of the body is a tranquil heart, but envy is a cancer in the bones.

³¹ To oppress the weak insults the Creator, kindness to the needy honours the Creator.

³² For evil-doing, the wicked will be flung headlong, but in integrity the upright will find refuge.

³³ Wisdom resides in an understanding heart; she is not to be found in the hearts of fools.

³⁴ Uprightness makes a nation great, by sin whole races are disgraced.

³⁵ A king shows favour to a wise minister, but anger to one who shames him.