Study Desk

The reward for humility and fearing the Lord is riches and honor and life.

A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips.

Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,

for the Lord will plead their case and will rob those who are robbing them.

Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge or who puts up security for debts.

Do not crave that ruler's delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

When you gaze upon riches, they are gone, for they surely make wings for themselves, and fly off into the sky like an eagle!

for he is like someone calculating the cost in his mind. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you;

Do not speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

for their Protector is strong; he will plead their case against you.

For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

for a prostitute is like a deep pit; a harlot is like a narrow well.

Those who linger over wine, those who go looking for mixed wine.

You will say, "They have struck me, but I am not harmed! They beat me, but I did not know it! When will I awake? I will look for another drink."

for their hearts contemplate violence, and their lips speak harm.

for with guidance you wage your war, and with numerous advisers there is victory.

Wisdom is unattainable for a fool; in court he does not open his mouth.

Eat honey, my child, for it is good, and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

for the evil person has no future, and the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.