Study Desk

Who perversely in his heart plots trouble and evil continually; Who spreads discord and strife.

Therefore [the crushing weight of] his disaster will come suddenly upon him; Instantly he will be broken, and there will be no healing or remedy [because he has no heart for God].

Can a man take fire to his chest And his clothes not be burned?

Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?

So is the one who goes in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her will not be found innocent or go unpunished.

But when he is found, he must repay seven times [what he stole]; He must give all the property of his house [if necessary to meet his fine].

But whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks common sense and sound judgment and an understanding [of moral principles]; He who would destroy his soul does it.

Wounds and disgrace he will find, And his reproach (blame) will not be blotted out.

Until an arrow pierced his liver [with a mortal wound]; Like a bird fluttering straight into the net, He did not know that it would cost him his life.

"The LORD created and possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old [were accomplished].

When He set for the sea its boundary So that the waters would not transgress [the boundaries set by] His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth—

Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight; Rejoicing before Him always,

Rejoicing in the world, His inhabited earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.

Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he will hate you; Correct a wise man [who learns from his error], and he will love you.

Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser; Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.

The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger [God will meet all his needs], But He will reject and cast away the craving of the wicked.

He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence and evil.

The rich man's wealth is his fortress; The ruin of the poor is their poverty.