Study Desk

These also are ^(C1)proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

It is the glory of God to ^(C1)conceal a matter, But the glory of ^(C2)kings is to search out a matter.

As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

Take away the ^(F1)(C1)impurities from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the ^(C2)smith;

Take away the ^(C1)wicked before the king, And his ^(C2)throne will be established in righteousness.

Do not boast in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the same place ^(F1)as great people;

For ^(C1)it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

Do not go out ^(C1)hastily to ^(F1)argue your case; ^(F2)Otherwise, what will you do in ^(F3)the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?

^(F1)(C1)Argue your case with your neighbor, And ^(C2)do not reveal the secret of another,

Or one who hears it will put you to shame, And the evil report about you will not ^(F1)pass away.

Like apples of gold in settings of silver, Is a ^(C1)word spoken at ^(F1)the proper time.

Like ^(F1)an ^(C1)earring of gold and a ^(C2)jewelry piece of ^(C3)fine gold, Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a ^(C4)listening ear.

Like the cold of snow in the ^(F1)time of harvest Is a ^(C1)faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Like ^(C1)clouds and ^(C2)wind without rain Is a person who boasts ^(F1)of his gifts falsely.

Through ^(F1)(C1)patience a ruler may be persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks bone.

Have you ^(C1)found honey? Eat only ^(F1)what you need, So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.

Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become ^(F1)weary of you and hate you.

Like a club, a ^(C1)sword, and a sharp ^(C2)arrow Is a person who gives ^(C3)false testimony against his neighbor.

Like a bad tooth and ^(F1)an unsteady foot Is confidence in a ^(C1)treacherous person in time of trouble.

Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on ^(F1)soda, Is one who sings songs to ^(F2)a troubled heart.

^(C1)If ^(F1)your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

For you will ^(F1)heap burning coals on his head, And ^(C1)the LORD will reward you.

The north wind brings rain, And a ^(F1)(C1)gossiping tongue brings an angry face.

It is ^(C1)better to live on a corner of the roof, Than ^(F1)in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Like cold water to a weary soul, So is ^(C1)good news from a distant land.

Like a ^(C1)trampled spring and a ^(F1)polluted well, So is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.

It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to ^(C1)search out ^(F1)one's own glory.

Like a ^(C1)city that is broken into and without walls So is a person ^(C2)who has no self-control over his spirit.

Like snow in summer and like ^(C1)rain in harvest, So honor is not ^(C2)fitting for a fool.

Like a ^(C1)sparrow in its ^(F1)flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a ^(C2)curse without cause does not come to rest.

A ^(C1)whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a ^(C2)rod for the back of fools.

^(C1)Do not answer a fool ^(F1)according to his foolishness, Or you will also be like him.

^(C1)Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves, So that he will not be ^(C2)wise in his own eyes.

One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.

Like ^(F1)useless legs to one who cannot walk, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

Like ^(F1)one who binds a stone in a sling, So is one who gives honor to a fool.

Like a thorn that ^(F1)sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

^(F1)Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.

Like ^(C1)a dog that returns to its vomit, So is a fool who ^(C2)repeats ^(F1)his foolishness.

Do you see a person ^(C1)wise in his own eyes? ^(C2)There is more hope for a fool than for him.

^(F1)A ^(C1)lazy one says, "There is a lion on the road! A lion is ^(F2)in the public square!"

As the door turns on its hinges, So does a ^(C1)lazy one on his bed.

A ^(C1)lazy one buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

A lazy one is ^(C1)wiser in his own eyes Than seven people who can ^(F1)give a discreet answer.

Like one who takes a dog by the ears, So is one who passes by and ^(F1)meddles with ^(C1)strife not belonging to him.

Like a maniac who shoots ^(C1)Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,

So is a person who ^(C1)deceives his neighbor, And says, "^(C2)Was I not joking?"

For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no ^(C1)gossiper, ^(C2)quarreling quiets down.

Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a ^(C1)contentious person to kindle strife.

The ^(C1)words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the ^(F1)innermost parts of the body.

Like an earthenware ^(C1)vessel overlaid with silver ^(F1)(C2)impurities Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

One who ^(C1)hates disguises it with his lips, But he harbors ^(C2)deceit in his ^(F1)heart.

When ^(F1)he ^(C1)speaks graciously, do not believe him, Because there are seven abominations in his heart.

Though his hatred ^(C1)covers itself with deception, His wickedness will be ^(C2)revealed in the assembly.

One who ^(C1)digs a pit will fall into it, And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

A lying tongue hates ^(F1)those it crushes, And a ^(C1)flattering mouth works ruin.

^(C1)Do not boast about tomorrow, For you ^(C2)do not know what a day may bring.

Let ^(C1)another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.

A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.

Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But ^(C1)who can stand before jealousy?

Better is ^(C1)open rebuke Than love that is concealed.

Faithful are the ^(C1)wounds of a friend, But ^(F1)deceitful are the ^(C2)kisses of an enemy.

A satisfied ^(F1)person ^(F2)despises honey, But to a hungry ^(F1)person any bitter thing is sweet.

Like a ^(C1)bird that wanders from its nest, So is a person who ^(C2)wanders from his ^(F1)home.

^(C1)Oil and perfume make the heart glad, And a ^(F1)person's advice is sweet to his friend.

Do not abandon your ^(C1)friend or ^(C2)your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house on the day of your disaster; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.

^(C1)Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, So that I may ^(C2)reply to one who taunts me.

A prudent person sees evil and hides himself; But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty.

^(C1)Take his garment when he becomes a guarantor for a stranger; And for a foreign woman seize a pledge from him.

^(C1)One who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, It will be considered a curse to him.

A ^(C1)constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike;

He who would ^(F1)restrain her ^(F1)restrains the wind, And ^(F2)grasps oil with his right hand.

As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another.

One who tends the ^(C1)fig tree will eat its fruit, And one who ^(C2)cares for his master will be honored.

As in water a face reflects the face, So the heart of a person reflects the person.

^(F1)(C1)Sheol and ^(F2)Abaddon are ^(C2)never satisfied, Nor are the ^(C3)eyes of a person ever satisfied.

The ^(C1)crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, And each ^(C2)is tested by the praise accorded him.

Though you ^(C1)pound the fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, His foolishness still will not leave him.

^(C1)Know well the ^(F1)condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;

For riches are not forever, Nor does a ^(C1)crown endure to all generations.

When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are ^(C1)gathered in,

The lambs will be for your clothing, And the goats will bring the price of a field,

And there will be enough goats' milk for your food, For the food of your household, And sustenance for your attendants.

The wicked ^(C1)flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are ^(F1)bold as a lion.

Due to a ^(F1)wrongdoing of ^(F2)a land its leaders are ^(C1)many, But ^(C2)by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

A ^(C1)poor man who oppresses the helpless Is like a driving rain ^(F1)which leaves no food.

Those who abandon the Law ^(C1)praise the wicked, But those who keep the Law ^(C2)strive against them.

Evil people ^(C1)do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD ^(C2)understand everything.

^(C1)Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity, Than a person who is ^(F1)crooked, though he is rich.

He who keeps the Law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of ^(C1)gluttons humiliates his father.

One who increases his wealth by ^(F1)(C1)interest of any kind, Collects it ^(C2)for one who is gracious to the poor.

One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law, Even his ^(C1)prayer is an abomination.

One who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will ^(C1)himself fall into his own pit, But the ^(C2)blameless will inherit good.

The rich person is ^(C1)wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding ^(F1)sees through him.

When the ^(C1)righteous triumph, there is great glory, But ^(C2)when the wicked rise, people ^(F1)hide themselves.

One who ^(C1)conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, But one who ^(C2)confesses and abandons them will find compassion.

How blessed is the person who ^(C1)fears always, But one who ^(C2)hardens his heart will fall into disaster.

Like a ^(C1)roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a ^(C2)wicked ruler over a poor people.

A ^(C1)leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But a person who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

A person who is ^(C1)burdened with the guilt of human blood Will ^(F1)be a fugitive until death; no one is to support him!

One who walks blamelessly will receive help, But one who is ^(F1)(C1)crooked will fall all at once.

^(C1)One who works his land will ^(C2)have plenty of food, But one who follows empty pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

A ^(C1)faithful person will abound with blessings, But one who ^(C2)hurries to be rich will not go unpunished.

To ^(F1)(C1)show partiality is not good, ^(C2)Because for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

A person with an ^(C1)evil eye ^(C2)hurries after wealth And does not know that poverty will come upon him.

One who ^(C1)rebukes a person will afterward find more favor Than one who ^(C2)flatters with the tongue.

He who ^(C1)robs his father or his mother And says, "There is no wrong done," Is the ^(C2)companion of a person who destroys.

An ^(F1)arrogant person ^(C1)stirs up strife, But one who ^(C2)trusts in the LORD ^(C3)will ^(F2)prosper.

One who ^(C1)trusts in his own heart is a fool, But one who walks wisely will flee to safety.

One who ^(C1)gives to the poor will never lack anything, But one who ^(F1)shuts his eyes will have many curses.

When the wicked rise, people hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

A person ^(F1)often ^(C1)rebuked who ^(F2)becomes obstinate Will ^(C2)suddenly be broken ^(F3)beyond remedy.

When the ^(C1)righteous ^(F1)increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked person rules, people groan.

A man who ^(C1)loves wisdom makes his father glad, But he who ^(C2)involves himself with prostitutes wastes his wealth.

The ^(C1)king gives stability to the land by justice, But a person who takes bribes ruins it.

A man who ^(C1)flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps.

By wrongdoing an evil person is ^(C1)ensnared, But the righteous ^(C2)sings and rejoices.

The ^(C1)righteous ^(F1)is concerned for the rights of the poor; The wicked does not understand such ^(F2)concern.

Arrogant people ^(C1)inflame a city, But ^(C2)wise people turn away anger.

When a wise person has a controversy with a foolish person, ^(F1)The foolish person either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

People of ^(C1)bloodshed hate the blameless person, But the upright ^(F1)are concerned for his life.

A ^(C1)fool ^(F1)always loses his temper, But a ^(C2)wise person holds it back.

If a ^(C1)ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.

The ^(C1)poor person and the oppressor ^(F1)have this in common: The LORD gives ^(C2)light to the eyes of both.

If a ^(C1)king judges the poor with truth, His ^(C2)throne will be established forever.

The ^(C1)rod and a rebuke give wisdom, But a child ^(F1)who gets his own way ^(C2)brings shame to his mother.

When the wicked ^(F1)increase, wrongdoing increases; But the ^(C1)righteous will see their downfall.

^(C1)Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also ^(F1)(C2)delight your soul.

Where there is ^(C1)no ^(F1)vision, the people ^(C2)are unrestrained, But ^(C3)happy is one who keeps the Law.

A slave will not be instructed by words alone; For though he understands, there will be no response.

Do you see a person who is ^(C1)hasty with his words? There is ^(C2)more hope for a fool than for him.

One who pampers his slave from childhood Will in the end find him to be rebellious.

An ^(C1)angry person stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered person abounds in wrongdoing.

A person's ^(C1)pride will bring him low, But a ^(C2)humble spirit will obtain honor.

One who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He ^(C1)hears the oath but tells nothing.

The ^(C1)fear of man ^(F1)brings a snare, But one who ^(C2)trusts in the LORD will be protected.

^(C1)Many seek the ruler's ^(F1)favor, But ^(C2)justice for mankind comes from the LORD.

An ^(C1)unjust person is an abomination to the righteous, And one who is ^(C2)upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.