On Life and Conduct
aWine is a mocker, bstrong drink a brawler,
And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
He who provokes him to anger aforfeits his own life.
3 aKeeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.
4 The asluggard does not plow after the autumn,
So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
5 A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.
6 Many a man aproclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a btrustworthy man?
7 A righteous man who awalks in his integrity—
bHow blessed are his sons after him.
8 aA king who sits on the throne of justice
Disperses all evil with his eyes.
9 aWho can say, “I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin”?
10 aDiffering weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the Lord.
11 It is by his deeds that a lad adistinguishes himself
If his conduct is pure and right.
12 The hearing aear and the seeing eye,
The Lord has made both of them.
13 aDo not love sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food.
14 “Bad, bad,” says the buyer,
But when he goes his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;
But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.
16 Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.
17 aBread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
18 Prepare aplans by consultation,
And bmake war by wise guidance.
19 He who agoes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
Therefore do not associate with ba gossip.
20 He who acurses his father or his mother,
His blamp will go out in time of darkness.
21 An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.
22 aDo not say, “I will repay evil”;
bWait for the Lord, and He will save you.
23 aDiffering weights are an abomination to the Lord,
And a bfalse scale is not good.
24 aMan’s steps are ordained by the Lord,
How then can man understand his way?
25 It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!”
And aafter the vows to make inquiry.
26 A awise king winnows the wicked,
And drives the bthreshing wheel over them.
27 The aspirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the innermost parts of his being.
28 Loyalty and atruth preserve the king,
And he upholds his throne by righteousness.
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
And the ahonor of old men is their gray hair.
30 aStripes that wound scour away evil,
And strokes reach the innermost parts.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
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