Study Desk

The fruit of the [consistently] righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity].

Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness undermines and overthrows the sinner.

Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.

In the mouth of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God] is a rod for his back, But the lips of the wise [when they speak with godly wisdom] will protect them.

Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools], But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.

He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man], But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor.

The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing, But the righteous has hope and confidence and a refuge [with God] even in death.

Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom], But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].

A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative]; His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.

It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly, For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).

He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good, And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the LORD.

He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God].

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God), But to the evildoers it is disaster.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

Those who set aside the law [of God and man] praise the wicked, But those who keep the law [of God and man] struggle with them.

He who keeps the law [of God and man] is a wise and discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father [and himself].

He who turns his ear away from listening to the law [of God and man], Even his prayer is repulsive [to God].

The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes, But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him.

Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times, But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.