Study Desk

The desire of the lazy kills him, For his hands refuse to labor;

A wicked man puts on a bold face, But as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].

Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God's wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

He who sows injustice will reap [a harvest of] trouble, And the rod of his wrath [with which he oppresses others] will fail.

He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.

He who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.

The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit [deep and inescapable]; He who is cursed by the LORD [because of his adulterous sin] will fall into it.

Or you will learn his [undisciplined] ways And get yourself trapped [in a situation from which it is hard to escape].

If you have nothing with which to pay [another's debt when he defaults], Why should his creditor take your bed from under you?

Do you see a man skillful and experienced in his work? He will stand [in honor] before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

Do not desire his delicacies, For it is deceptive food [offered to you with questionable motives].

Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies;

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates]. He says to you, "Eat and drink," Yet his heart is not with you [but it is begrudging the cost].

You shall swat him with the reed-like rod And rescue his life from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).

A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge strengthens his power;

Wisdom is too exalted for a [hardened, arrogant] fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate [where the city's rulers sit in judgment].

If you [claim ignorance and] say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs and examines the hearts and their motives? And does He not know it who guards your life and keeps your soul? And will He not repay [you and] every man according to his works?

Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place;

Or the LORD will see your gloating and be displeased, And turn His anger away from your enemy.

Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed."