Proverbs - The Old Testament

¹ Whoever lives alone follows private whims, and is angered by advice of any kind.

² A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in airing an opinion.

³ When wickedness comes, indignity comes too, and, with contempt, dishonour.

⁴ Deep waters, such are human words: a gushing stream, the utterance of wisdom.

⁵ It is not good to show partiality for the wicked and so to deprive the upright when giving judgement.

⁶ The lips of a fool go to the law-courts with a mouth that pleads for a beating.

⁷ The mouth of the fool works its owner's ruin, the lips of a fool are a snare for their owner's life.

⁸ The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the belly.

⁹ Whoever is idle at work is blood-brother to the destroyer.

¹⁰ The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the upright runs to it and is secure.

¹¹ The wealth of the rich forms a stronghold, a high wall, as the rich supposes.

¹² The human heart is haughty until destruction comes, before there can be glory there must be humility.

¹³ To retort without first listening is both foolish and embarrassing.

¹⁴ Sickness the human spirit can endure, but when the spirit is broken, who can bear this?

¹⁵ The heart of the intelligent acquires learning, the ears of the wise search for knowledge.

¹⁶ A present will open all doors and win access to the great.

¹⁷ The first to plead is adjudged to be upright, until the next comes and cross-examines him.

¹⁸ The lot puts an end to disputes and decides between men of power.

¹⁹ A brother offended is worse than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the locks of a keep.

²⁰ From the fruit of the mouth is a stomach filled, it is the yield of the lips that gives contentment.

²¹ Death and life are in the gift of the tongue, those who indulge it must eat the fruit it yields.

²² He who finds a wife finds happiness, receiving a mark of favour from Yahweh.

²³ The language of the poor is entreaty, the answer of the rich harshness.

²⁴ There are friends who point the way to ruin, others are closer than a brother.