Study Desk

The one who puts up security for a stranger will surely have trouble, but whoever avoids shaking hands will be secure.

What the righteous desire leads only to good, but what the wicked hope for leads to wrath.

A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.

The one who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but the one who searches for evil—it will come to him.

A righteous person cares for the life of his animal, but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel.

The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment.

A benevolent person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.

In the speech of a fool is a rod for his back, but the words of the wise protect them.

The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none, but understanding is easy for a discerning person.

The backslider will be paid back from his own ways, but a good person will be rewarded for his.

In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and it will be a refuge for his children.

Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way; the one who hates reproof will die.

The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.

The Lord works everything for its own ends— even the wicked for the day of disaster.

A laborer's appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work.

The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold, likewise the Lord tests hearts.

Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!

A bribe works like a charm for the one who offers it; in whatever he does he succeeds.

It is better for a person to meet a mother bear being robbed of her cubs, than to encounter a fool in his folly.