PROVERBS

Proverbs 1

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

² For learning about wisdom and instruction,

for understanding words of insight,

³ for gaining instruction in wise dealing,

righteousness, justice, and equity;

⁴ to teach shrewdness to the simple,

knowledge and prudence to the young—

⁵ let the wise also hear and gain in learning,

and the discerning acquire skill,

⁶ to understand a proverb and a figure,

the words of the wise and their riddles.

⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

⁸ Hear, my child, your father’s instruction,

and do not reject your mother’s teaching;

⁹ for they are a fair garland for your head,

and pendants for your neck.

¹⁰ My child, if sinners entice you,

do not consent.

¹¹ If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;

let us wantonly ambush the innocent;

¹² like Sheol let us swallow them alive

and whole, like those who go down to the Pit.

¹³ We shall find all kinds of costly things;

we shall fill our houses with booty.

¹⁴ Throw in your lot among us;

we will all have one purse”—

¹⁵ my child, do not walk in their way,

keep your foot from their paths;

¹⁶ for their feet run to evil,

and they hurry to shed blood.

¹⁷ For in vain is the net baited

while the bird is looking on;

¹⁸ yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves!

and set an ambush—for their own lives!

¹⁹ Such is the end[1] of all who are greedy for gain;

it takes away the life of its possessors.

²⁰ Wisdom cries out in the street;

in the squares she raises her voice.

²¹ At the busiest corner she cries out;

What is more (and I can hardly find words to tell you how important I think this), it is just the people who are ready to submit to the loss of the thrill and settle down to the sober interest, who are then most likely to meet new thrills in some quite different direction. The man who has learned to fly and become a good pilot will suddenly discover music; the man who has settled down to live in the beauty spot will discover gardening.

This is, I think, one little part of what Christ meant by saying that a thing will not really live unless it first dies. It is simply no good trying to keep any thrill: that is the very worst thing you can do. Let the thrill go—let it die away—go on through that period of death into the quieter interest and happiness that follow—and you will find you are living in a world of new thrills all the time. But if you decide to make thrills your regular diet and try to prolong them artificially, they will all get weaker and weaker, and fewer and fewer, and you will be a bored, disillusioned old man for the rest of your life. It is because so few people understand this that you find many middle-aged men and women maundering about their lost youth, at the very age when new horizons ought to be appearing and new doors opening all round them. It is much better fun to learn to swim than to go on endlessly (and hopelessly) trying to get back the feeling you had when you first went paddling as a small boy.

—from Mere Christianity

For reflection Proverbs 1:7

at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

²² “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

and fools hate knowledge?

²³ Give heed to my reproof;

I will pour out my thoughts to you;

I will make my words known to you.

²⁴ Because I have called and you refused,

have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,

²⁵ and because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when panic strikes you,

²⁷ when panic strikes you like a storm,

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you.

²⁸ Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.

²⁹ Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

³⁰ would have none of my counsel,

and despised all my reproof,

³¹ therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way

and be sated with their own devices.

³² For waywardness kills the simple,

and the complacency of fools destroys them;

³³ but those who listen to me will be secure

and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.”

Proverbs 2

My child, if you accept my words

and treasure up my commandments within you,

² making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

³ if you indeed cry out for insight,

and raise your voice for understanding;

⁴ if you seek it like silver,

and search for it as for hidden treasures—

⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD

and find the knowledge of God.

⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

⁷ he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly,

⁸ guarding the paths of justice

and preserving the way of his faithful ones.

⁹ Then you will understand righteousness and justice

and equity, every good path;

¹⁰ for wisdom will come into your heart,

and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

¹¹ prudence will watch over you;

and understanding will guard you.

¹² It will save you from the way of evil,

from those who speak perversely,

¹³ who forsake the paths of uprightness

to walk in the ways of darkness,

¹⁴ who rejoice in doing evil

and delight in the perverseness of evil;

¹⁵ those whose paths are crooked,

and who are devious in their ways.

¹⁶ You will be saved from the loose[2] woman,

from the adulteress with her smooth words,

¹⁷ who forsakes the partner of her youth

and forgets her sacred covenant;

¹⁸ for her way[3] leads down to death,

and her paths to the shades;

¹⁹ those who go to her never come back,

nor do they regain the paths of life.

²⁰ Therefore walk in the way of the good,

and keep to the paths of the just.

²¹ For the upright will abide in the land,

and the innocent will remain in it;

²² but the wicked will be cut off from the land,

and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

Proverbs 3

My child, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments;

² for length of days and years of life

and abundant welfare they will give you.

³ Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ So you will find favor and good repute

in the sight of God and of people.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own insight.

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

⁸ It will be a healing for your flesh

and a refreshment for your body.

⁹ Honor the LORD with your substance

and with the first fruits of all your produce;

¹⁰ then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

¹¹ My child, do not despise the LORD’s discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

¹² for the LORD reproves the one he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Happy are those who find wisdom,

and those who get understanding,

¹⁴ for her income is better than silver,

and her revenue better than gold.

¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

those who hold her fast are called happy.

DO NOT RELY ON YOUR OWN INSIGHT

Iremember once when I had been giving a talk to the R.A.F., an old, hard-bitten officer got up and said, “I’ve no use for all that stuff. But, mind you, I’m a religious man too. I know there’s a God. I’ve felt Him: out alone in the desert at night: the tremendous mystery. And that’s just why I don’t believe all your neat little dogmas and formulas about Him. To anyone who’s met the real thing they all seem so petty and pedantic and unreal!”

Now in a sense I quite agreed with that man. I think he had probably had a real experience of God in the desert. And when he turned from that experience to the Christian creeds, I think he really was turning from something real to something less real. In the same way, if a man has once looked at the Atlantic from the beach, and then goes and looks at a map of the Atlantic, he also will be turning from something real to something less real: turning from real waves to a bit of coloured paper. But here comes the point. The map is admittedly only coloured paper, but there are two things you have to remember about it. In the first place, it is based on what hundreds and thousands of people have found out by sailing the real Atlantic. In that way it has behind it masses of experience just as real as the one you could have from the beach; only, while yours would be a single glimpse, the map fits all those different experiences together. In the second place, if you want to go anywhere, the map is absolutely necessary. As long as you are content with walks on the beach, your own glimpses are far more fun than looking at a map. But the map is going to be more use than walks on the beach if you want to get to America.

—from Mere Christianity

For reflection Proverbs 3:1–8

¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;

by understanding he established the heavens;

²⁰ by his knowledge the deeps broke open,

and the clouds drop down the dew.

²¹ My child, do not let these escape from your sight:

keep sound wisdom and prudence,

²² and they will be life for your soul

and adornment for your neck.

²³ Then you will walk on your way securely

and your foot will not stumble.

²⁴ If you sit down,[4] you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden panic,

or of the storm that strikes the wicked;

²⁶ for the LORD will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from being caught.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[5]

when it is in your power to do it.

²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,

tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

²⁹ Do not plan harm against your neighbor

who lives trustingly beside you.

³⁰ Do not quarrel with anyone without cause,

when no harm has been done to you.

³¹ Do not envy the violent

and do not choose any of their ways;

³² for the perverse are an abomination to the LORD,

TRAINING IN WISDOM

Saint Augustine defines virtue as ordo amaris, the ordinate condition of the affections in which every object is accorded that kind of degree of love which is appropriate to it. Aristotle says that the aim of education is to make the pupil like and dislike what he ought. When the age for reflective thought comes, the pupil who has been thus trained in “ordinate affections” or “just sentiments” will easily find the first principles in Ethics; but to the corrupt man they will never be visible at all and he can make no progress in that science. Plato before him had said the same. The little human animal will not at first have the right responses. It must be trained to feel pleasure, liking, disgust, and hatred at those things which really are pleasant, likeable, disgusting and hateful. In the Republic, the well-nurtured youth is one “who would see most clearly whatever was amiss in ill-made works of man or ill-grown works of nature, and with a just distaste would blame and hate the ugly even from his earliest years and would give delighted praise to beauty, receiving it into his soul and being nourished by it, so that he becomes a man of gentle heart. All this before he is of an age to reason; so that when Reason at length comes to him, then, bred as he has been, he will hold out his hands in welcome and recognize her because of the affinity he bears to her.”

—from The Abolition of Man

For reflection Proverbs 4:1–6

but the upright are in his confidence.

³³ The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the abode of the righteous.

³⁴ Toward the scorners he is scornful,

but to the humble he shows favor.

³⁵ The wise will inherit honor,

but stubborn fools, disgrace.

Proverbs 4

Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,

and be attentive, that you may gain[6] insight;

² for I give you good precepts:

do not forsake my teaching.

³ When I was a son with my father,

tender, and my mother’s favorite,

⁴ he taught me, and said to me,

“Let your heart hold fast my words;

keep my commandments, and live.

⁵ Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away

from the words of my mouth.

⁶ Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;

love her, and she will guard you.

⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,

and whatever else you get, get insight.

⁸ Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;

she will honor you if you embrace her.

⁹ She will place on your head a fair garland;

she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

¹⁰ Hear, my child, and accept my words,

that the years of your life may be many.

¹¹ I have taught you the way of wisdom;

I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

¹² When you walk, your step will not be hampered;

and if you run, you will not stumble.

¹³ Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;

guard her, for she is your life.

¹⁴ Do not enter the path of the wicked,

and do not walk in the way of evildoers.

¹⁵ Avoid it; do not go on it;

turn away from it and pass on.

¹⁶ For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;

they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.

¹⁷ For they eat the bread of wickedness

and drink the wine of violence.

¹⁸ But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,

which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;

they do not know what they stumble over.

²⁰ My child, be attentive to my words;

incline your ear to my sayings.

²¹ Do not let them escape from your sight;

keep them within your heart.

²² For they are life to those who find them,

and healing to all their flesh.

²³ Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.

²⁴ Put away from you crooked speech,

and put devious talk far from you.

²⁵ Let your eyes look directly forward,

and your gaze be straight before you.

²⁶ Keep straight the path of your feet,

and all your ways will be sure.

²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or to the left;

turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 5

My child, be attentive to my wisdom;

incline your ear to my understanding,

² so that you may hold on to prudence,

and your lips may guard knowledge.

³ For the lips of a loose[7] woman drip honey,

and her speech is smoother than oil;

⁴ but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,

sharp as a two-edged sword.

⁵ Her feet go down to death;

her steps follow the path to Sheol.

⁶ She does not keep straight to the path of life;

her ways wander, and she does not know it.

But I am inclined to think a Christian would be wise to avoid, where he decently can, any meeting with people who are bullies, lascivious, cruel, dishonest, spiteful and so forth.

Not because we are “too good” for them. In a sense because we are not good enough. We are not good enough to cope with all the temptations, nor clever enough to cope with all the problems, which an evening spent in such society produces. The temptation is to condone, to connive at; by our words, looks and laughter, to “consent.” The temptation was never greater than now when we are all (and very rightly) so afraid of priggery or “smugness.” And of course, even if we do not seek them out, we shall constantly be in such company whether we wish it or not. This is the real and unavoidable difficulty.

—from Reflections on the Psalms

For reflection Proverbs 4:23–27

⁷ And now, my child,[8] listen to me,

and do not depart from the words of my mouth.

⁸ Keep your way far from her,

and do not go near the door of her house;

⁹ or you will give your honor to others,

and your years to the merciless,

¹⁰ and strangers will take their fill of your wealth,

and your labors will go to the house of an alien;

¹¹ and at the end of your life you will groan,

when your flesh and body are consumed,

¹² and you say, “Oh, how I hated discipline,

and my heart despised reproof!

¹³ I did not listen to the voice of my teachers

or incline my ear to my instructors.

¹⁴ Now I am at the point of utter ruin

in the public assembly.”

¹⁵ Drink water from your own cistern,

flowing water from your own well.

¹⁶ Should your springs be scattered abroad,

streams of water in the streets?

¹⁷ Let them be for yourself alone,

and not for sharing with strangers.

¹⁸ Let your fountain be blessed,

and rejoice in the wife of your youth,

¹⁹ a lovely deer, a graceful doe.

May her breasts satisfy you at all times;

may you be intoxicated always by her love.

²⁰ Why should you be intoxicated, my son, by another woman

and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?

²¹ For human ways are under the eyes of the LORD,

and he examines all their paths.

²² The iniquities of the wicked ensnare them,

and they are caught in the toils of their sin.

²³ They die for lack of discipline,

and because of their great folly they are lost.

Proverbs 6

My child, if you have given your pledge to your neighbor,

if you have bound yourself to another,[9]

² you are snared by the utterance of your lips,[10]

caught by the words of your mouth.

³ So do this, my child, and save yourself,

for you have come into your neighbor’s power:

go, hurry,[11] and plead with your neighbor.

⁴ Give your eyes no sleep

and your eyelids no slumber;

⁵ save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter,[12]

like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

⁶ Go to the ant, you lazybones;

consider its ways, and be wise.

⁷ Without having any chief

or officer or ruler,

⁸ it prepares its food in summer,

and gathers its sustenance in harvest.

⁹ How long will you lie there, O lazybones?

When will you rise from your sleep?

¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest,

¹¹ and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

and want, like an armed warrior.

¹² A scoundrel and a villain

goes around with crooked speech,

¹³ winking the eyes, shuffling the feet,

pointing the fingers,

¹⁴ with perverted mind devising evil,

continually sowing discord;

¹⁵ on such a one calamity will descend suddenly;

in a moment, damage beyond repair.

¹⁶ There are six things that the LORD hates,

seven that are an abomination to him:

¹⁷ haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

and hands that shed innocent blood,

¹⁸ a heart that devises wicked plans,

feet that hurry to run to evil,

¹⁹ a lying witness who testifies falsely,

and one who sows discord in a family.

Morality or duty . . . never yet made a man happy in himself or dear to others. It is shocking, but it is undeniable. We do not wish either to be, or to live among, people who are clean or honest or kind as a matter of duty: we want to be, and to associate with, people who like being clean and honest and kind. The mere suspicion that what seemed an act of spontaneous friendliness or generosity was really done as a duty subtly poisons it. In philosophical language, the ethical category is self-destructive; morality is healthy only when it is trying to abolish itself. In theological language, no man can be saved by works.

—from English Literature in the Sixteenth Century

For reflection Proverbs 5:21–23

²⁰ My child, keep your father’s commandment,

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

²¹ Bind them upon your heart always;

tie them around your neck.

²² When you walk, they[13] will lead you;

when you lie down, they[13] will watch over you;

and when you awake, they[13] will talk with you.

²³ For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,

and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

²⁴ to preserve you from the wife of another,[14]

from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.

²⁵ Do not desire her beauty in your heart,

and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;

²⁶ for a prostitute’s fee is only a loaf of bread,[15]

but the wife of another stalks a man’s very life.

²⁷ Can fire be carried in the bosom

without burning one’s clothes?

²⁸ Or can one walk on hot coals

without scorching the feet?

²⁹ So is he who sleeps with his neighbor’s wife;

no one who touches her will go unpunished.

³⁰ Thieves are not despised who steal only

to satisfy their appetite when they are hungry.

³¹ Yet if they are caught, they will pay sevenfold;

they will forfeit all the goods of their house.

³² But he who commits adultery has no sense;

he who does it destroys himself.

³³ He will get wounds and dishonor,

and his disgrace will not be wiped away.

³⁴ For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury,

and he shows no restraint when he takes revenge.

³⁵ He will accept no compensation,

and refuses a bribe no matter how great.

Proverbs 7

My child, keep my words

and store up my commandments with you;

² keep my commandments and live,

keep my teachings as the apple of your eye;

³ bind them on your fingers,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

and call insight your intimate friend,

⁵ that they may keep you from the loose[16] woman,

from the adulteress with her smooth words.

⁶ For at the window of my house

I looked out through my lattice,

⁷ and I saw among the simple ones,

I observed among the youths,

a young man without sense,

⁸ passing along the street near her corner,

taking the road to her house

⁹ in the twilight, in the evening,

at the time of night and darkness.

¹⁰ Then a woman comes toward him,

decked out like a prostitute, wily of heart.[17]

¹¹ She is loud and wayward;

her feet do not stay at home;

¹² now in the street, now in the squares,

and at every corner she lies in wait.

¹³ She seizes him and kisses him,

and with impudent face she says to him:

¹⁴ “I had to offer sacrifices,

and today I have paid my vows;

¹⁵ so now I have come out to meet you,

to seek you eagerly, and I have found you!

¹⁶ I have decked my couch with coverings,

colored spreads of Egyptian linen;

¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,

aloes, and cinnamon.

¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;

let us delight ourselves with love.

¹⁹ For my husband is not at home;

he has gone on a long journey.

²⁰ He took a bag of money with him;

he will not come home until full moon.”

²¹ With much seductive speech she persuades him;

with her smooth talk she compels him.

²² Right away he follows her,

and goes like an ox to the slaughter,

or bounds like a stag toward the trap[18]

²³ until an arrow pierces its entrails.

He is like a bird rushing into a snare,

not knowing that it will cost him his life.

²⁴ And now, my children, listen to me,

and be attentive to the words of my mouth.

²⁵ Do not let your hearts turn aside to her ways;

do not stray into her paths.

²⁶ For many are those she has laid low,

and numerous are her victims.

²⁷ Her house is the way to Sheol,

going down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 8

Does not wisdom call,

and does not understanding raise her voice?

² On the heights, beside the way,

at the crossroads she takes her stand;

³ beside the gates in front of the town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries out:

⁴ “To you, O people, I call,

and my cry is to all that live.

⁵ O simple ones, learn prudence;

acquire intelligence, you who lack it.

⁶ Hear, for I will speak noble things,

and from my lips will come what is right;

⁷ for my mouth will utter truth;

wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous;

there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

⁹ They are all straight to one who understands

and right to those who find knowledge.

¹⁰ Take my instruction instead of silver,

and knowledge rather than choice gold;

¹¹ for wisdom is better than jewels,

and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

¹² I, wisdom, live with prudence,[19]

and I attain knowledge and discretion.

¹³ The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.

Pride and arrogance and the way of evil

and perverted speech I hate.

¹⁴ I have good advice and sound wisdom;

I have insight, I have strength.

¹⁵ By me kings reign,

and rulers decree what is just;

¹⁶ by me rulers rule,

and nobles, all who govern rightly.

¹⁷ I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me.

¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and prosperity.

¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness,

along the paths of justice,

²¹ endowing with wealth those who love me,

and filling their treasuries.

²² The LORD created me at the beginning[20] of his work,[21]

the first of his acts of long ago.

²³ Ages ago I was set up,

at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

²⁴ When there were no depths I was brought forth,

when there were no springs abounding with water.

²⁵ Before the mountains had been shaped,

before the hills, I was brought forth—

²⁶ when he had not yet made earth and fields,[19]

or the world’s first bits of soil.

²⁷ When he established the heavens, I was there,

when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

²⁸ when he made firm the skies above,

when he established the fountains of the deep,

²⁹ when he assigned to the sea its limit,

so that the waters might not transgress his command,

when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

³⁰ then I was beside him, like a master worker;[22]

and I was daily his[23] delight,

rejoicing before him always,

³¹ rejoicing in his inhabited world

and delighting in the human race.

³² “And now, my children, listen to me:

happy are those who keep my ways.

³³ Hear instruction and be wise,

and do not neglect it.

³⁴ Happy is the one who listens to me,

watching daily at my gates,

waiting beside my doors.

³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life

and obtains favor from the LORD;

³⁶ but those who miss me injure themselves;

all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 9

Wisdom has built her house,

she has hewn her seven pillars.

² She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,

she has also set her table.

³ She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls

from the highest places in the town,

⁴ “You that are simple, turn in here!”

To those without sense she says,

⁵ “Come, eat of my bread

and drink of the wine I have mixed.

⁶ Lay aside immaturity,[24] and live,

and walk in the way of insight.”

⁷ Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;

whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.

⁸ A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you;

the wise, when rebuked, will love you.

⁹ Give instruction[25] to the wise, and they will become wiser still;

teach the righteous and they will gain in learning.

¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

For reflection: Proverbs 9:10

From the moment a creature becomes aware of God as God and of itself as self, the terrible alternative of choosing God or self for the centre is opened to it.

—from The Problem of Pain

¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied,

and years will be added to your life.

¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;

if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

¹³ The foolish woman is loud;

she is ignorant and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house,

on a seat at the high places of the town,

¹⁵ calling to those who pass by,

who are going straight on their way,

¹⁶ “You who are simple, turn in here!”

And to those without sense she says,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet,

and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹⁸ But they do not know that the dead[26] are there,

that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Proverbs 10

The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise child makes a glad father,

but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.

² Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,

but righteousness delivers from death.

³ The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,

but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

⁴ A slack hand causes poverty,

but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

⁵ A child who gathers in summer is prudent,

but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.

⁶ Blessings are on the head of the righteous,

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

⁷ The memory of the righteous is a blessing,

but the name of the wicked will rot.

⁸ The wise of heart will heed commandments,

but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

⁹ Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.

¹⁰ Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,

but the one who rebukes boldly makes peace.[27]

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

¹² Hatred stirs up strife,

but love covers all offenses.

¹³ On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found,

but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense.

¹⁴ The wise lay up knowledge,

but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near.

¹⁵ The wealth of the rich is their fortress;

the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

¹⁶ The wage of the righteous leads to life,

the gain of the wicked to sin.

¹⁷ Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,

but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.

¹⁸ Lying lips conceal hatred,

and whoever utters slander is a fool.

¹⁹ When words are many, transgression is not lacking,

but the prudent are restrained in speech.

²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;

the mind of the wicked is of little worth.

²¹ The lips of the righteous feed many,

but fools die for lack of sense.

²² The blessing of the LORD makes rich,

and he adds no sorrow with it.[28]

²³ Doing wrong is like sport to a fool,

but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.

²⁴ What the wicked dread will come upon them,

but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

²⁵ When the tempest passes, the wicked are no more,

but the righteous are established forever.

²⁶ Like vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes,

so are the lazy to their employers.

²⁷ The fear of the LORD prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

²⁸ The hope of the righteous ends in gladness,

but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.

²⁹ The way of the LORD is a stronghold for the upright,

but destruction for evildoers.

³⁰ The righteous will never be removed,

but the wicked will not remain in the land.

³¹ The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,

but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

³² The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,

but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

Proverbs 11

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,

but an accurate weight is his delight.

² When pride comes, then comes disgrace;

but wisdom is with the humble.

³ The integrity of the upright guides them,

but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

⁴ Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

but righteousness delivers from death.

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless keeps their ways straight,

but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.

⁶ The righteousness of the upright saves them,

but the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes.

⁷ When the wicked die, their hope perishes,

and the expectation of the godless comes to nothing.

⁸ The righteous are delivered from trouble,

and the wicked get into it instead.

⁹ With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors,

but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;

and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

¹¹ By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

¹² Whoever belittles another lacks sense,

but an intelligent person remains silent.

¹³ A gossip goes about telling secrets,

but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.

¹⁴ Where there is no guidance, a nation[29] falls,

but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

¹⁵ To guarantee loans for a stranger brings trouble,

but there is safety in refusing to do so.

¹⁶ A gracious woman gets honor,

but she who hates virtue is covered with shame.[30]

The timid become destitute,[31]

but the aggressive gain riches.

¹⁷ Those who are kind reward themselves,

but the cruel do themselves harm.

¹⁸ The wicked earn no real gain,

but those who sow righteousness get a true reward.

¹⁹ Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,

but whoever pursues evil will die.

²⁰ Crooked minds are an abomination to the LORD,

but those of blameless ways are his delight.

²¹ Be assured, the wicked will not go unpunished,

but those who are righteous will escape.

²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout

is a beautiful woman without good sense.

²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good;

the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

²⁴ Some give freely, yet grow all the richer;

others withhold what is due, and only suffer want.

²⁵ A generous person will be enriched,

and one who gives water will get water.

²⁶ The people curse those who hold back grain,

but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it.

²⁷ Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,

but evil comes to the one who searches for it.

²⁸ Those who trust in their riches will wither,[32]

but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.

²⁹ Those who trouble their households will inherit wind,

and the fool will be servant to the wise.

³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

but violence[33] takes lives away.

³¹ If the righteous are repaid on earth,

how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Proverbs 12

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.

² The good obtain favor from the LORD,

but those who devise evil he condemns.

³ No one finds security by wickedness,

but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

⁴ A good wife is the crown of her husband,

but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are just;

the advice of the wicked is treacherous.

⁶ The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,

but the speech of the upright delivers them.

⁷ The wicked are overthrown and are no more,

but the house of the righteous will stand.

⁸ One is commended for good sense,

but a perverse mind is despised.

⁹ Better to be despised and have a servant,

than to be self-important and lack food.

¹⁰ The righteous know the needs of their animals,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

¹¹ Those who till their land will have plenty of food,

but those who follow worthless pursuits have no sense.

¹² The wicked covet the proceeds of wickedness,[34]

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

¹³ The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,

but the righteous escape from trouble.

¹⁴ From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,

and manual labor has its reward.

¹⁵ Fools think their own way is right,

but the wise listen to advice.

¹⁶ Fools show their anger at once,

but the prudent ignore an insult.

For reflection: Proverbs 12:15–16

If nothing is self-evident, nothing can be proved. Similarly if nothing is obligatory for its own sake, nothing is obligatory at all.

—from The Abolition of Man

¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,

but a false witness speaks deceitfully.

¹⁸ Rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

²⁰ Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,

but those who counsel peace have joy.

²¹ No harm happens to the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

²² Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,

but those who act faithfully are his delight.

²³ One who is clever conceals knowledge,

but the mind of a fool[35] broadcasts folly.

²⁴ The hand of the diligent will rule,

while the lazy will be put to forced labor.

²⁵ Anxiety weighs down the human heart,

but a good word cheers it up.

²⁶ The righteous gives good advice to friends,[36]

but the way of the wicked leads astray.

²⁷ The lazy do not roast[37] their game,

but the diligent obtain precious wealth.[37]

²⁸ In the path of righteousness there is life,

in walking its path there is no death.

Proverbs 13

A wise child loves discipline,[38]

but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

² From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things,

but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.

³ Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;

those who open wide their lips come to ruin.

⁴ The appetite of the lazy craves, and gets nothing,

while the appetite of the diligent is richly supplied.

⁵ The righteous hate falsehood,

but the wicked act shamefully and disgracefully.

⁶ Righteousness guards one whose way is upright,

but sin overthrows the wicked.

⁷ Some pretend to be rich, yet have nothing;

others pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.

⁸ Wealth is a ransom for a person’s life,

but the poor get no threats.

⁹ The light of the righteous rejoices,

but the lamp of the wicked goes out.

¹⁰ By insolence the heedless make strife,

but wisdom is with those who take advice.

¹¹ Wealth hastily gotten[39] will dwindle,

but those who gather little by little will increase it.

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

¹³ Those who despise the word bring destruction on themselves,

but those who respect the commandment will be rewarded.

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,

so that one may avoid the snares of death.

¹⁵ Good sense wins favor,

but the way of the faithless is their ruin.[40]

¹⁶ The clever do all things intelligently,

but the fool displays folly.

¹⁷ A bad messenger brings trouble,

but a faithful envoy, healing.

¹⁸ Poverty and disgrace are for the one who ignores instruction,

but one who heeds reproof is honored.

¹⁹ A desire realized is sweet to the soul,

but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.

²⁰ Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

but the companion of fools suffers harm.

²¹ Misfortune pursues sinners,

but prosperity rewards the righteous.

²² The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children,

but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.

²³ The field of the poor may yield much food,

but it is swept away through injustice.

²⁴ Those who spare the rod hate their children,

but those who love them are diligent to discipline them.

²⁵ The righteous have enough to satisfy their appetite,

but the belly of the wicked is empty.

Proverbs 14

The wise woman[41] builds her house,

but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

² Those who walk uprightly fear the LORD,

but one who is devious in conduct despises him.

³ The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,[42]

but the lips of the wise preserve them.

⁴ Where there are no oxen, there is no grain;

abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

⁵ A faithful witness does not lie,

but a false witness breathes out lies.

⁶ A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,

but knowledge is easy for one who understands.

⁷ Leave the presence of a fool,

for there you do not find words of knowledge.

⁸ It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,

but the folly of fools misleads.

⁹ Fools mock at the guilt offering,[43]

but the upright enjoy God’s favor.

¹⁰ The heart knows its own bitterness,

and no stranger shares its joy.

¹¹ The house of the wicked is destroyed,

but the tent of the upright flourishes.

¹² There is a way that seems right to a person,

but its end is the way to death.[44]

¹³ Even in laughter the heart is sad,

and the end of joy is grief.

¹⁴ The perverse get what their ways deserve,

and the good, what their deeds deserve.[45]

¹⁵ The simple believe everything,

but the clever consider their steps.

¹⁶ The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,

but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.

¹⁷ One who is quick-tempered acts foolishly,

and the schemer is hated.

¹⁸ The simple are adorned with[46] folly,

but the clever are crowned with knowledge.

¹⁹ The evil bow down before the good,

the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

²⁰ The poor are disliked even by their neighbors,

but the rich have many friends.

²¹ Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,

but happy are those who are kind to the poor.

²² Do they not err that plan evil?

Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

²³ In all toil there is profit,

but mere talk leads only to poverty.

²⁴ The crown of the wise is their wisdom,[47]

but folly is the garland[48] of fools.

²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives,

but one who utters lies is a betrayer.

²⁶ In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,

and one’s children will have a refuge.

²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,

so that one may avoid the snares of death.

²⁸ The glory of a king is a multitude of people;

without people a prince is ruined.

²⁹ Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,

but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

³⁰ A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,

but passion makes the bones rot.

³¹ Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,

but those who are kind to the needy honor him.

³² The wicked are overthrown by their evildoing,

but the righteous find a refuge in their integrity.[49]

³³ Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding,

but it is not[50] known in the heart of fools.

³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin is a reproach to any people.

³⁵ A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,

but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Proverbs 15

A soft answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

² The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,[51]

but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

³ The eyes of the LORD are in every place,

keeping watch on the evil and the good.

⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life,

but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

⁵ A fool despises a parent’s instruction,

but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.

⁶ In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge;

not so the minds of fools.

⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,

but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

⁹ The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,

but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.

¹⁰ There is severe discipline for one who forsakes the way,

but one who hates a rebuke will die.

¹¹ Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD,

how much more human hearts!

¹² Scoffers do not like to be rebuked;

they will not go to the wise.

¹³ A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,

but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.

¹⁴ The mind of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,

but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the poor are hard,

but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better is a little with the fear of the LORD

than great treasure and trouble with it.

¹⁷ Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is

than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

¹⁸ Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,

but those who are slow to anger calm contention.

¹⁹ The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns,

but the path of the upright is a level highway.

²⁰ A wise child makes a glad father,

but the foolish despise their mothers.

²¹ Folly is a joy to one who has no sense,

but a person of understanding walks straight ahead.

²² Without counsel, plans go wrong,

but with many advisers they succeed.

²³ To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,

and a word in season, how good it is!

²⁴ For the wise the path of life leads upward,

in order to avoid Sheol below.

²⁵ The LORD tears down the house of the proud,

but maintains the widow’s boundaries.

²⁶ Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD,

but gracious words are pure.

²⁷ Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,

but those who hate bribes will live.

²⁸ The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,

but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil.

²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked,

but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

³⁰ The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,

and good news refreshes the body.

³¹ The ear that heeds wholesome admonition

will lodge among the wise.

³² Those who ignore instruction despise themselves,

but those who heed admonition gain understanding.

³³ The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,

and humility goes before honor.

Proverbs 16

The plans of the mind belong to mortals,

but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

² All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,

but the LORD weighs the spirit.

³ Commit your work to the LORD,

and your plans will be established.

⁴ The LORD has made everything for its purpose,

even the wicked for the day of trouble.

⁵ All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the LORD;

be assured, they will not go unpunished.

⁶ By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of the LORD one avoids evil.

⁷ When the ways of people please the LORD,

he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness

than large income with injustice.

⁹ The human mind plans the way,

but the LORD directs the steps.

¹⁰ Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;

his mouth does not sin in judgment.

¹¹ Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s;

all the weights in the bag are his work.

¹² It is an abomination to kings to do evil,

for the throne is established by righteousness.

¹³ Righteous lips are the delight of a king,

and he loves those who speak what is right.

¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,

and whoever is wise will appease it.

¹⁵ In the light of a king’s face there is life,

and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold!

To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil;

those who guard their way preserve their lives.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

²⁰ Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,

and happy are those who trust in the LORD.

²¹ The wise of heart is called perceptive,

and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

²² Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,

but folly is the punishment of fools.

²³ The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious,

and adds persuasiveness to their lips.

²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

²⁵ Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,

but in the end it is the way to death.

²⁶ The appetite of workers works for them;

their hunger urges them on.

²⁷ Scoundrels concoct evil,

and their speech is like a scorching fire.

²⁸ A perverse person spreads strife,

and a whisperer separates close friends.

²⁹ The violent entice their neighbors,

and lead them in a way that is not good.

³⁰ One who winks the eyes plans[52] perverse things;

one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is gained in a righteous life.

³² One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap,

but the decision is the LORD’s alone.

Proverbs 17

Better is a dry morsel with quiet

than a house full of feasting with strife.

² A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully,

and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

³ The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

but the LORD tests the heart.

⁴ An evildoer listens to wicked lips;

and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

⁵ Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;

those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

⁶ Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

and the glory of children is their parents.

⁷ Fine speech is not becoming to a fool;

still less is false speech to a ruler.[53]

⁸ A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it;

wherever they turn they prosper.

⁹ One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,

but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.

¹⁰ A rebuke strikes deeper into a discerning person

than a hundred blows into a fool.

¹¹ Evil people seek only rebellion,

but a cruel messenger will be sent against them.

¹² Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs

than to confront a fool immersed in folly.

¹³ Evil will not depart from the house

of one who returns evil for good.

¹⁴ The beginning of strife is like letting out water;

so stop before the quarrel breaks out.

¹⁵ One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous

are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

¹⁶ Why should fools have a price in hand

to buy wisdom, when they have no mind to learn?

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times,

and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.

For reflection: Proverbs 17:17

We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and privacy, and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.

—from “Membership,” The Weight of Glory

¹⁸ It is senseless to give a pledge,

to become surety for a neighbor.

¹⁹ One who loves transgression loves strife;

one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.

²⁰ The crooked of mind do not prosper,

and the perverse of tongue fall into calamity.

²¹ The one who begets a fool gets trouble;

the parent of a fool has no joy.

²² A cheerful heart is a good medicine,

but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.

²³ The wicked accept a concealed bribe

to pervert the ways of justice.

²⁴ The discerning person looks to wisdom,

but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.

²⁵ Foolish children are a grief to their father

and bitterness to her who bore them.

²⁶ To impose a fine on the innocent is not right,

or to flog the noble for their integrity.

²⁷ One who spares words is knowledgeable;

one who is cool in spirit has understanding.

²⁸ Even fools who keep silent are considered wise;

when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 18

The one who lives alone is self-indulgent,

showing contempt for all who have sound judgment.[54]

² A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

but only in expressing personal opinion.

³ When wickedness comes, contempt comes also;

and with dishonor comes disgrace.

⁴ The words of the mouth are deep waters;

the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.

⁵ It is not right to be partial to the guilty,

or to subvert the innocent in judgment.

⁶ A fool’s lips bring strife,

and a fool’s mouth invites a flogging.

⁷ The mouths of fools are their ruin,

and their lips a snare to themselves.

⁸ The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

⁹ One who is slack in work

is close kin to a vandal.

¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower;

the righteous run into it and are safe.

¹¹ The wealth of the rich is their strong city;

in their imagination it is like a high wall.

¹² Before destruction one’s heart is haughty,

but humility goes before honor.

¹³ If one gives answer before hearing,

it is folly and shame.

¹⁴ The human spirit will endure sickness;

but a broken spirit—who can bear?

¹⁵ An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

¹⁶ A gift opens doors;

it gives access to the great.

¹⁷ The one who first states a case seems right,

until the other comes and cross-examines.

¹⁸ Casting the lot puts an end to disputes

and decides between powerful contenders.

¹⁹ An ally offended is stronger than a city;[55]

such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

²⁰ From the fruit of the mouth one’s stomach is satisfied;

the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.

²¹ Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

and those who love it will eat its fruits.

²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing,

and obtains favor from the LORD.

²³ The poor use entreaties,

but the rich answer roughly.

²⁴ Some[56] friends play at friendship[57]

but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.

Proverbs 19

Better the poor walking in integrity

than one perverse of speech who is a fool.

² Desire without knowledge is not good,

and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way.

³ One’s own folly leads to ruin,

yet the heart rages against the LORD.

⁴ Wealth brings many friends,

but the poor are left friendless.

⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished,

and a liar will not escape.

⁶ Many seek the favor of the generous,

and everyone is a friend to a giver of gifts.

⁷ If the poor are hated even by their kin,

how much more are they shunned by their friends!

When they call after them, they are not there.[58]

⁸ To get wisdom is to love oneself;

to keep understanding is to prosper.

⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished,

and the liar will perish.

¹⁰ It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,

much less for a slave to rule over princes.

¹¹ Those with good sense are slow to anger,

and it is their glory to overlook an offense.

¹² A king’s anger is like the growling of a lion,

but his favor is like dew on the grass.

¹³ A stupid child is ruin to a father,

and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

¹⁴ House and wealth are inherited from parents,

but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

¹⁵ Laziness brings on deep sleep;

an idle person will suffer hunger.

¹⁶ Those who keep the commandment will live;

those who are heedless of their ways will die.

¹⁷ Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,

and will be repaid in full.

¹⁸ Discipline your children while there is hope;

do not set your heart on their destruction.

¹⁹ A violent tempered person will pay the penalty;

if you effect a rescue, you will only have to do it again.[58]

²⁰ Listen to advice and accept instruction,

that you may gain wisdom for the future.

²¹ The human mind may devise many plans,

but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.

²² What is desirable in a person is loyalty,

and it is better to be poor than a liar.

²³ The fear of the LORD is life indeed;

filled with it one rests secure

and suffers no harm.

²⁴ The lazy person buries a hand in the dish,

and will not even bring it back to the mouth.

²⁵ Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;

reprove the intelligent, and they will gain knowledge.

²⁶ Those who do violence to their father and chase away their mother

are children who cause shame and bring reproach.

²⁷ Cease straying, my child, from the words of knowledge,

in order that you may hear instruction.

²⁸ A worthless witness mocks at justice,

and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

²⁹ Condemnation is ready for scoffers,

and flogging for the backs of fools.

Proverbs 20

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,

and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

² The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;

anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.

³ It is honorable to refrain from strife,

but every fool is quick to quarrel.

⁴ The lazy person does not plow in season;

harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found.

⁵ The purposes in the human mind are like deep water,

but the intelligent will draw them out.

⁶ Many proclaim themselves loyal,

but who can find one worthy of trust?

⁷ The righteous walk in integrity—

happy are the children who follow them!

⁸ A king who sits on the throne of judgment

winnows all evil with his eyes.

⁹ Who can say, “I have made my heart clean;

I am pure from my sin”?

¹⁰ Diverse weights and diverse measures

are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

¹¹ Even children make themselves known by their acts,

by whether what they do is pure and right.

¹² The hearing ear and the seeing eye—

the LORD has made them both.

¹³ Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty;

open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

¹⁴ “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,

then goes away and boasts.

¹⁵ There is gold, and abundance of costly stones;

but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.

¹⁶ Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger;

seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners.

¹⁷ Bread gained by deceit is sweet,

but afterward the mouth will be full of gravel.

¹⁸ Plans are established by taking advice;

wage war by following wise guidance.

¹⁹ A gossip reveals secrets;

therefore do not associate with a babbler.

²⁰ If you curse father or mother,

your lamp will go out in utter darkness.

²¹ An estate quickly acquired in the beginning

will not be blessed in the end.

²² Do not say, “I will repay evil”;

wait for the LORD, and he will help you.

²³ Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD,

and false scales are not good.

²⁴ All our steps are ordered by the LORD;

how then can we understand our own ways?

²⁵ It is a snare for one to say rashly, “It is holy,”

and begin to reflect only after making a vow.

²⁶ A wise king winnows the wicked,

and drives the wheel over them.

²⁷ The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD,

searching every inmost part.

²⁸ Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king,

and his throne is upheld by righteousness.[59]

²⁹ The glory of youths is their strength,

but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair.

³⁰ Blows that wound cleanse away evil;

beatings make clean the innermost parts.

Proverbs 21

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;

he turns it wherever he will.

For reflection: Proverbs 21:1

The freedom of God consists in the fact that no cause other than Himself produces His acts and no external obstacle impedes them—that His own goodness is the root from which they all grow and His own omnipotence the air in which they all flower.

—from The Problem of Pain

² All deeds are right in the sight of the doer,

but the LORD weighs the heart.

³ To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart—

the lamp of the wicked—are sin.

⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,

but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.

⁶ The getting of treasures by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapor and a snare[60] of death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,

because they refuse to do what is just.

⁸ The way of the guilty is crooked,

but the conduct of the pure is right.

⁹ It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a contentious wife.

¹⁰ The souls of the wicked desire evil;

their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes.

¹¹ When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser;

when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.

¹² The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;

he casts the wicked down to ruin.

¹³ If you close your ear to the cry of the poor,

you will cry out and not be heard.

¹⁴ A gift in secret averts anger;

and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

¹⁵ When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous,

but dismay to evildoers.

¹⁶ Whoever wanders from the way of understanding

will rest in the assembly of the dead.

¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want;

whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.

¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,

and the faithless for the upright.

¹⁹ It is better to live in a desert land

than with a contentious and fretful wife.

²⁰ Precious treasure remains[61] in the house of the wise,

but the fool devours it.

²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life[62] and honor.

²² One wise person went up against a city of warriors

and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.

²³ To watch over mouth and tongue

is to keep out of trouble.

²⁴ The proud, haughty person, named “Scoffer,”

acts with arrogant pride.

²⁵ The craving of the lazy person is fatal,

for lazy hands refuse to labor.

²⁶ All day long the wicked covet,[63]

but the righteous give and do not hold back.

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

how much more when brought with evil intent.

²⁸ A false witness will perish,

but a good listener will testify successfully.

²⁹ The wicked put on a bold face,

but the upright give thought to[64] their ways.

³⁰ No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel,

can avail against the LORD.

³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Proverbs 22

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

and favor is better than silver or gold.

² The rich and the poor have this in common:

the LORD is the maker of them all.

³ The clever see danger and hide;

but the simple go on, and suffer for it.

⁴ The reward for humility and fear of the LORD

is riches and honor and life.

⁵ Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;

the cautious will keep far from them.

⁶ Train children in the right way,

and when old, they will not stray.

⁷ The rich rule over the poor,

and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

⁸ Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,

and the rod of anger will fail.

⁹ Those who are generous are blessed,

for they share their bread with the poor.

¹⁰ Drive out a scoffer, and strife goes out;

quarreling and abuse will cease.

¹¹ Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech

will have the king as a friend.

¹² The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,

but he overthrows the words of the faithless.

¹³ The lazy person says, “There is a lion outside!

I shall be killed in the streets!”

¹⁴ The mouth of a loose[65] woman is a deep pit;

he with whom the LORD is angry falls into it.

¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a boy,

but the rod of discipline drives it far away.

¹⁶ Oppressing the poor in order to enrich oneself,

and giving to the rich, will lead only to loss.

¹⁷ The words of the wise:

Incline your ear and hear my words,[66]

and apply your mind to my teaching;

¹⁸ for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,

if all of them are ready on your lips.

¹⁹ So that your trust may be in the LORD,

I have made them known to you today—yes, to you.

²⁰ Have I not written for you thirty sayings

of admonition and knowledge,

²¹ to show you what is right and true,

so that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

²² Do not rob the poor because they are poor,

or crush the afflicted at the gate;

²³ for the LORD pleads their cause

and despoils of life those who despoil them.

²⁴ Make no friends with those given to anger,

and do not associate with hotheads,

²⁵ or you may learn their ways

and entangle yourself in a snare.

²⁶ Do not be one of those who give pledges,

who become surety for debts.

²⁷ If you have nothing with which to pay,

why should your bed be taken from under you?

²⁸ Do not remove the ancient landmark

that your ancestors set up.

²⁹ Do you see those who are skillful in their work?

They will serve kings;

they will not serve common people.

Proverbs 23

When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

observe carefully what[67] is before you,

² and put a knife to your throat

if you have a big appetite.

³ Do not desire the ruler’s[68] delicacies,

for they are deceptive food.

⁴ Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

be wise enough to desist.

⁵ When your eyes light upon it, it is gone;

for suddenly it takes wings to itself,

flying like an eagle toward heaven.

⁶ Do not eat the bread of the stingy;

do not desire their delicacies;

⁷ for like a hair in the throat, so are they.[69]

“Eat and drink!” they say to you;

but they do not mean it.

⁸ You will vomit up the little you have eaten,

and you will waste your pleasant words.

⁹ Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,

who will only despise the wisdom of your words.

¹⁰ Do not remove an ancient landmark

or encroach on the fields of orphans,

¹¹ for their redeemer is strong;

he will plead their cause against you.

¹² Apply your mind to instruction

and your ear to words of knowledge.

¹³ Do not withhold discipline from your children;

if you beat them with a rod, they will not die.

¹⁴ If you beat them with the rod,

you will save their lives from Sheol.

¹⁵ My child, if your heart is wise,

my heart too will be glad.

¹⁶ My soul will rejoice

when your lips speak what is right.

¹⁷ Do not let your heart envy sinners,

but always continue in the fear of the LORD.

¹⁸ Surely there is a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

¹⁹ Hear, my child, and be wise,

and direct your mind in the way.

²⁰ Do not be among winebibbers,

or among gluttonous eaters of meat;

²¹ for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,

and drowsiness will clothe them with rags.

²² Listen to your father who begot you,

and do not despise your mother when she is old.

²³ Buy truth, and do not sell it;

buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

²⁴ The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;

he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.

²⁵ Let your father and mother be glad;

let her who bore you rejoice.

²⁶ My child, give me your heart,

and let your eyes observe[70] my ways.

²⁷ For a prostitute is a deep pit;

an adulteress[71] is a narrow well.

²⁸ She lies in wait like a robber

and increases the number of the faithless.

²⁹ Who has woe? Who has sorrow?

Who has strife? Who has complaining?

Who has wounds without cause?

Who has redness of eyes?

³⁰ Those who linger late over wine,

those who keep trying mixed wines.

³¹ Do not look at wine when it is red,

when it sparkles in the cup

and goes down smoothly.

³² At the last it bites like a serpent,

and stings like an adder.

³³ Your eyes will see strange things,

and your mind utter perverse things.

³⁴ You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,

like one who lies on the top of a mast.[72]

³⁵ “They struck me,” you will say,[73] “but I was not hurt;

they beat me, but I did not feel it.

When shall I awake?

I will seek another drink.”

Proverbs 24

Do not envy the wicked,

nor desire to be with them;

² for their minds devise violence,

and their lips talk of mischief.

³ By wisdom a house is built,

and by understanding it is established;

⁴ by knowledge the rooms are filled

with all precious and pleasant riches.

⁵ Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones,[74]

and those who have knowledge than those who have strength;

⁶ for by wise guidance you can wage your war,

and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

⁷ Wisdom is too high for fools;

in the gate they do not open their mouths.

⁸ Whoever plans to do evil

will be called a mischief-maker.

⁹ The devising of folly is sin,

and the scoffer is an abomination to all.

¹⁰ If you faint in the day of adversity,

your strength being small;

¹¹ if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death,

those who go staggering to the slaughter;

¹² if you say, “Look, we did not know this”—

does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?

And will he not repay all according to their deeds?

¹³ My child, eat honey, for it is good,

and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

¹⁴ Know that wisdom is such to your soul;

if you find it, you will find a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

¹⁵ Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against the home of the righteous;

do no violence to the place where the righteous live;

¹⁶ for though they fall seven times, they will rise again;

but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

¹⁷ Do not rejoice when your enemies fall,

and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble,

¹⁸ or else the LORD will see it and be displeased,

and turn away his anger from them.

¹⁹ Do not fret because of evildoers.

Do not envy the wicked;

WE MUST WISH HIS GOOD

Iimagine somebody will say, “Well, if one is allowed to condemn the enemy’s acts, and punish him, and kill him, what difference is left between Christian morality and the ordinary view?” All the difference in the world. Remember, we Christians think man lives for ever. Therefore, what really matters is those little marks or twists on the central, inside part of the soul which are going to turn it, in the long run, into a heavenly or a hellish creature. We may kill if necessary, but we must not hate and enjoy hating. We may punish if necessary, but we must not enjoy it. In other words, something inside us, the feeling of resentment, the feeling that wants to get one’s own back, must be simply killed. I do not mean that anyone can decide this moment that he will never feel it any more. That is not how things happen. I mean that every time it bobs its head up, day after day, year after year, all our lives long, we must hit it on the head. It is hard work, but the attempt is not impossible. Even while we kill and punish we must try to feel about the enemy as we feel about ourselves—to wish that he were not bad, to hope that he may, in this world or another, be cured: in fact, to wish his good. That is what is meant in the Bible by loving him: wishing his good, not feeling fond of him nor saying he is nice when he is not.

—from Mere Christianity

For reflection Proverbs 24:17–18

²⁰ for the evil have no future;

the lamp of the wicked will go out.

²¹ My child, fear the LORD and the king,

and do not disobey either of them;[75]

²² for disaster comes from them suddenly,

and who knows the ruin that both can bring?

²³ These also are sayings of the wise:

Partiality in judging is not good.

²⁴ Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”

will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations;

²⁵ but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,

and a good blessing will come upon them.

²⁶ One who gives an honest answer

gives a kiss on the lips.

²⁷ Prepare your work outside,

get everything ready for you in the field;

and after that build your house.

²⁸ Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,

and do not deceive with your lips.

²⁹ Do not say, “I will do to others as they have done to me;

I will pay them back for what they have done.”

³⁰ I passed by the field of one who was lazy,

by the vineyard of a stupid person;

³¹ and see, it was all overgrown with thorns;

the ground was covered with nettles,

and its stone wall was broken down.

³² Then I saw and considered it;

I looked and received instruction.

³³ A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest,

³⁴ and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

and want, like an armed warrior.

Proverbs 25

These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.

² It is the glory of God to conceal things,

but the glory of kings is to search things out.

³ Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth,

so the mind of kings is unsearchable.

⁴ Take away the dross from the silver,

and the smith has material for a vessel;

⁵ take away the wicked from the presence of the king,

and his throne will be established in righteousness.

⁶ Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

or stand in the place of the great;

⁷ for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

⁸ do not hastily bring into court;

for[76] what will you do in the end,

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

⁹ Argue your case with your neighbor directly,

and do not disclose another’s secret;

¹⁰ or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you,

and your ill repute will have no end.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

¹² Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.

¹³ Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest

are faithful messengers to those who send them;

they refresh the spirit of their masters.

¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain

is one who boasts of a gift never given.

¹⁵ With patience a ruler may be persuaded,

and a soft tongue can break bones.

¹⁶ If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,

or else, having too much, you will vomit it.

¹⁷ Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,

otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you.

¹⁸ Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow

is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.

¹⁹ Like a bad tooth or a lame foot

is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.

²⁰ Like vinegar on a wound[77]

is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood,

sorrow gnaws at the human heart.[78]

²¹ If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat;

and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;

²² for you will heap coals of fire on their heads,

and the LORD will reward you.

²³ The north wind produces rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

²⁴ It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a contentious wife.

²⁵ Like cold water to a thirsty soul,

so is good news from a far country.

²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain

are the righteous who give way before the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey,

or to seek honor on top of honor.

²⁸ Like a city breached, without walls,

is one who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 26

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

so honor is not fitting for a fool.

² Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,

an undeserved curse goes nowhere.

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

and a rod for the back of fools.

⁴ Do not answer fools according to their folly,

or you will be a fool yourself.

⁵ Answer fools according to their folly,

or they will be wise in their own eyes.

⁶ It is like cutting off one’s foot and drinking down violence,

to send a message by a fool.

⁷ The legs of a disabled person hang limp;

so does a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

⁸ It is like binding a stone in a sling

to give honor to a fool.

⁹ Like a thornbush brandished by the hand of a drunkard

is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds everybody

is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.[79]

¹¹ Like a dog that returns to its vomit

is a fool who reverts to his folly.

¹² Do you see persons wise in their own eyes?

There is more hope for fools than for them.

¹³ The lazy person says, “There is a lion in the road!

There is a lion in the streets!”

¹⁴ As a door turns on its hinges,

so does a lazy person in bed.

¹⁵ The lazy person buries a hand in the dish,

and is too tired to bring it back to the mouth.

¹⁶ The lazy person is wiser in self-esteem

than seven who can answer discreetly.

¹⁷ Like somebody who takes a passing dog by the ears

is one who meddles in the quarrel of another.

¹⁸ Like a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows,

¹⁹ so is one who deceives a neighbor

and says, “I am only joking!”

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out,

and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

²¹ As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire,

so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

²² The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;

they go down into the inner parts of the body.

²³ Like the glaze[80] covering an earthen vessel

are smooth[81] lips with an evil heart.

²⁴ An enemy dissembles in speaking

while harboring deceit within;

²⁵ when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it,

for there are seven abominations concealed within;

²⁶ though hatred is covered with guile,

the enemy’s wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,

and a stone will come back on the one who starts it rolling.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates its victims,

and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 27

Do not boast about tomorrow,

for you do not know what a day may bring.

² Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—

a stranger, and not your own lips.

³ A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,

but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

⁴ Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,

but who is able to stand before jealousy?

⁵ Better is open rebuke

than hidden love.

⁶ Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts,

but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

⁷ The sated appetite spurns honey,

but to a ravenous appetite even the bitter is sweet.

⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest

is one who strays from home.

⁹ Perfume and incense make the heart glad,

but the soul is torn by trouble.[82]

¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your parent;

do not go to the house of your kindred in the day of your calamity.

Better is a neighbor who is nearby

than kindred who are far away.

¹¹ Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad,

so that I may answer whoever reproaches me.

¹² The clever see danger and hide;

but the simple go on, and suffer for it.

¹³ Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger;

seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners.[83]

¹⁴ Whoever blesses a neighbor with a loud voice,

rising early in the morning,

will be counted as cursing.

¹⁵ A continual dripping on a rainy day

and a contentious wife are alike;

¹⁶ to restrain her is to restrain the wind

or to grasp oil in the right hand.[84]

¹⁷ Iron sharpens iron,

and one person sharpens the wits[85] of another.

¹⁸ Anyone who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,

and anyone who takes care of a master will be honored.

¹⁹ Just as water reflects the face,

so one human heart reflects another.

²⁰ Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,

and human eyes are never satisfied.

²¹ The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,

so a person is tested[86] by being praised.

²² Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle

along with crushed grain,

but the folly will not be driven out.

²³ Know well the condition of your flocks,

and give attention to your herds;

²⁴ for riches do not last forever,

nor a crown for all generations.

²⁵ When the grass is gone, and new growth appears,

and the herbage of the mountains is gathered,

²⁶ the lambs will provide your clothing,

and the goats the price of a field;

²⁷ there will be enough goats’ milk for your food,

for the food of your household

and nourishment for your servant-girls.

Proverbs 28

The wicked flee when no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

² When a land rebels

it has many rulers;

but with an intelligent ruler

there is lasting order.[84]

³ A ruler[87] who oppresses the poor

is a beating rain that leaves no food.

⁴ Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,

but those who keep the law struggle against them.

⁵ The evil do not understand justice,

but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.

⁶ Better to be poor and walk in integrity

than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.

⁷ Those who keep the law are wise children,

but companions of gluttons shame their parents.

⁸ One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest

gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.

⁹ When one will not listen to the law,

even one’s prayers are an abomination.

¹⁰ Those who mislead the upright into evil ways

will fall into pits of their own making,

but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

¹¹ The rich is wise in self-esteem,

but an intelligent poor person sees through the pose.

¹² When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,

but when the wicked prevail, people go into hiding.

¹³ No one who conceals transgressions will prosper,

but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

¹⁴ Happy is the one who is never without fear,

but one who is hard-hearted will fall into calamity.

¹⁵ Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

¹⁶ A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor;

but one who hates unjust gain will enjoy a long life.

¹⁷ If someone is burdened with the blood of another,

let that killer be a fugitive until death;

let no one offer assistance.

¹⁸ One who walks in integrity will be safe,

but whoever follows crooked ways will fall into the Pit.[88]

¹⁹ Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread,

but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

²⁰ The faithful will abound with blessings,

but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.

²¹ To show partiality is not good—

yet for a piece of bread a person may do wrong.

²² The miser is in a hurry to get rich

and does not know that loss is sure to come.

²³ Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor

than one who flatters with the tongue.

²⁴ Anyone who robs father or mother

and says, “That is no crime,”

is partner to a thug.

²⁵ The greedy person stirs up strife,

but whoever trusts in the LORD will be enriched.

²⁶ Those who trust in their own wits are fools;

but those who walk in wisdom come through safely.

²⁷ Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing,

but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse.

²⁸ When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding;

but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Proverbs 29

One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn,

will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;

but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

³ A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad,

but to keep company with prostitutes is to squander one’s substance.

⁴ By justice a king gives stability to the land,

but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.

⁵ Whoever flatters a neighbor

is spreading a net for the neighbor’s feet.

⁶ In the transgression of the evil there is a snare,

but the righteous sing and rejoice.

⁷ The righteous know the rights of the poor;

the wicked have no such understanding.

⁸ Scoffers set a city aflame,

but the wise turn away wrath.

⁹ If the wise go to law with fools,

there is ranting and ridicule without relief.

¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,

and they seek the life of the upright.

¹¹ A fool gives full vent to anger,

but the wise quietly holds it back.

¹² If a ruler listens to falsehood,

all his officials will be wicked.

¹³ The poor and the oppressor have this in common:

the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

¹⁴ If a king judges the poor with equity,

his throne will be established forever.

¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom,

but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.

¹⁶ When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases,

but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

¹⁷ Discipline your children, and they will give you rest;

they will give delight to your heart.

¹⁸ Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,

but happy are those who keep the law.

¹⁹ By mere words servants are not disciplined,

for though they understand, they will not give heed.

²⁰ Do you see someone who is hasty in speech?

There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.

²¹ A slave pampered from childhood

will come to a bad end.[89]

²² One given to anger stirs up strife,

and the hothead causes much transgression.

²³ A person’s pride will bring humiliation,

but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

²⁴ To be a partner of a thief is to hate one’s own life;

one hears the victim’s curse, but discloses nothing.[90]

²⁵ The fear of others[91] lays a snare,

but one who trusts in the LORD is secure.

²⁶ Many seek the favor of a ruler,

but it is from the LORD that one gets justice.

²⁷ The unjust are an abomination to the righteous,

but the upright are an abomination to the wicked.

Proverbs 30

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle.

Thus says the man: I am weary, O God,

I am weary, O God. How can I prevail?[92]

² Surely I am too stupid to be human;

I do not have human understanding.

³ I have not learned wisdom,

nor have I knowledge of the holy ones.[93]

⁴ Who has ascended to heaven and come down?

Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of the hand?

Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is the person’s name?

And what is the name of the person’s child?

Surely you know!

⁵ Every word of God proves true;

he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

⁶ Do not add to his words,

or else he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.

⁷ Two things I ask of you;

do not deny them to me before I die:

⁸ Remove far from me falsehood and lying;

give me neither poverty nor riches;

feed me with the food that I need,

⁹ or I shall be full, and deny you,

and say, “Who is the LORD?”

or I shall be poor, and steal,

and profane the name of my God.

¹⁰ Do not slander a servant to a master,

or the servant will curse you, and you will be held guilty.

¹¹ There are those who curse their fathers

and do not bless their mothers.

¹² There are those who are pure in their own eyes

yet are not cleansed of their filthiness.

¹³ There are those—how lofty are their eyes,

how high their eyelids lift!—

¹⁴ there are those whose teeth are swords,

whose teeth are knives,

to devour the poor from off the earth,

the needy from among mortals.

¹⁵ The leech[94] has two daughters;

“Give, give,” they cry.

Three things are never satisfied;

four never say, “Enough”:

¹⁶ Sheol, the barren womb,

the earth ever thirsty for water,

and the fire that never says, “Enough.”[94]

¹⁷ The eye that mocks a father

and scorns to obey a mother

will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley

and eaten by the vultures.

¹⁸ Three things are too wonderful for me;

four I do not understand:

¹⁹ the way of an eagle in the sky,

the way of a snake on a rock,

the way of a ship on the high seas,

and the way of a man with a girl.

²⁰ This is the way of an adulteress:

she eats, and wipes her mouth,

and says, “I have done no wrong.”

²¹ Under three things the earth trembles;

under four it cannot bear up:

²² a slave when he becomes king,

and a fool when glutted with food;

²³ an unloved woman when she gets a husband,

and a maid when she succeeds her mistress.

²⁴ Four things on earth are small,

yet they are exceedingly wise:

²⁵ the ants are a people without strength,

yet they provide their food in the summer;

²⁶ the badgers are a people without power,

yet they make their homes in the rocks;

²⁷ the locusts have no king,

yet all of them march in rank;

²⁸ the lizard[95] can be grasped in the hand,

yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

²⁹ Three things are stately in their stride;

four are stately in their gait:

³⁰ the lion, which is mightiest among wild animals

and does not turn back before any;

³¹ the strutting rooster,[96] the he-goat,

and a king striding before[94] his people.

³² If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,

or if you have been devising evil,

put your hand on your mouth.

³³ For as pressing milk produces curds,

and pressing the nose produces blood,

so pressing anger produces strife.

Proverbs 31

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

² No, my son! No, son of my womb!

No, son of my vows!

³ Do not give your strength to women,

your ways to those who destroy kings.

⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,

or for rulers to desire[97] strong drink;

⁵ or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed,

and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

⁶ Give strong drink to one who is perishing,

and wine to those in bitter distress;

⁷ let them drink and forget their poverty,

and remember their misery no more.

⁸ Speak out for those who cannot speak,

for the rights of all the destitute.[98]

⁹ Speak out, judge righteously,

defend the rights of the poor and needy.

¹⁰ A capable wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

¹² She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

¹³ She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

¹⁴ She is like the ships of the merchant,

she brings her food from far away.

¹⁵ She rises while it is still night

and provides food for her household

and tasks for her servant-girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Ithink I can understand that feeling about a housewife’s work being like that of Sisyphus (who was the stone rolling gentleman). But it is surely, in reality, the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, mines, cars, government etc exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes? As Dr. Johnson said, “To be happy at home is the end of all human endeavour.” (1st to be happy to prepare for being happy in our own real Home hereafter: 2nd, in the meantime, to be happy in our houses.) We wage war in order to have peace, we work in order to have leisure, we produce food in order to eat it. So your job is the one for which all others exist.

—from a letter to Mrs. Johnson, March 16, 1955

For reflection Proverbs 31:10–31

¹⁷ She girds herself with strength,

and makes her arms strong.

¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

²⁰ She opens her hand to the poor,

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid for her household when it snows,

for all her household are clothed in crimson.

²² She makes herself coverings;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is known in the city gates,

taking his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them;

she supplies the merchant with sashes.

²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children rise up and call her happy;

her husband too, and he praises her:

²⁹ “Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the city gates.

[1] Gk: Heb are the ways

[2] Heb strange

[3] Cn: Heb house

[4] Gk: Heb lie down

[5] Heb from its owners

[6] Heb know

[7] Heb strange

[8] Gk Vg: Heb children

[9] Or a stranger

[10] Cn Compare Gk Syr: Heb the words of your mouth

[11] Or humble yourself

[12] Cn: Heb from the hand

[13] Heb it

[14] Gk: MT the evil woman

[15] Cn Compare Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb for because of a harlot to a piece of bread

[16] Heb strange

[17] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[18] Cn Compare Gk: Meaning of Heb uncertain

[19] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[20] Or me as the beginning

[21] Heb way

[22] Another reading is little child

[23] Gk: Heb lacks his

[24] Or simpleness

[25] Heb lacks instruction

[26] Heb shades

[27] Gk: Heb but a babbling fool will come to ruin

[28] Or and toil adds nothing to it

[29] Or an army

[30] Compare Gk Syr: Heb lacks but she . . . shame

[31] Gk: Heb lacks The timid . . . destitute

[32] Cn: Heb fall

[33] Cn Compare Gk Syr: Heb a wise man

[34] Or covet the catch of the wicked

[35] Heb the heart of fools

[36] Syr: Meaning of Heb uncertain

[37] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[38] Cn:Heb A wise child the discipline of his father

[39] Gk Vg: Heb from vanity

[40] Cn Compare Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb is enduring

[41] Heb Wisdom of women

[42] Cn: Heb a rod of pride

[43] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[44] Heb ways of death

[45] Cn: Heb from upon him

[46] Or inherit

[47] Cn Compare Gk: Heb riches

[48] Cn: Heb is the folly

[49] Gk Syr: Heb in their death

[50] Gk Syr: Heb lacks not

[51] Cn: Heb makes knowledge good

[52] Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb to plan

[53] Or a noble person

[54] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[55] Gk Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain

[56] Syr Tg: Heb A man of

[57] Cn Compare Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain

[58] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[59] Gk: Heb loyalty

[60] Gk: Heb seekers

[61] Gk: Heb and oil

[62] Gk: Heb life and righteousness

[63] Gk: Heb all day long one covets covetously

[64] Another reading is establish

[65] Heb strange

[66] Cn Compare Gk: Heb Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise

[67] Or who

[68] Heb his

[69] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[70] Another reading is delight in

[71] Heb an alien woman

[72] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[73] Gk Syr Vg Tg: Heb lacks you will say

[74] Gk Compare Syr Tg: Heb A wise man is strength

[75] Gk: Heb do not associate with those who change

[76] Cn: Heb or else

[77] Gk: Heb Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, like vinegar on lye

[78] Gk Syr Tg: Heb lacks Like a moth . . . human heart

[79] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[80] Cn: Heb silver of dross

[81] Gk: Heb burning

[82] Gk: Heb the sweetness of a friend is better than one’s own counsel

[83] Vg and 20.16: Heb for a foreign woman

[84] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[85] Heb face

[86] Heb lacks is tested

[87] Cn: Heb A poor person

[88] Syr: Heb fall all at once

[89] Vg: Meaning of Heb uncertain

[90] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[91] Or human fear

[92] Or I am spent. Meaning of Heb uncertain

[93] Or Holy One

[94] Meaning of Heb uncertain

[95] Or spider

[96] Gk Syr Tg Compare Vg: Meaning of Heb uncertain

[97] Cn: Heb where

[98] Heb all children of passing away

THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE

DO NOT RELY ON YOUR OWN INSIGHT

TRAINING IN WISDOM

TURN YOUR FOOT AWAY FROM EVIL

THE LORD EXAMINES ALL OUR PATHS

RELYING ON GOD

WE MUST WISH HIS GOOD

LACKING SELF-CONTROL

IRON SHARPENS IRON

A HAPPY HOME