Proverbs 15
1A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools gush out folly.
3The LORD’s eyes are everywhere,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5A fool despises his father’s correction,
but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure,
but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so with the heart of fools.
8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way.
Whoever hates reproof shall die.
11Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD—
how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
13A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15All the days of the afflicted are wretched,
but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16Better is little, with the fear of the LORD,
than great treasure with trouble.
17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18A wrathful man stirs up contention,
but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20A wise son makes a father glad,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom,
but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
22Where there is no counsel, plans fail;
but in a multitude of counselors they are established.
23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth.
How good is a word at the right time!
24The path of life leads upward for the wise,
to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
25The LORD will uproot the house of the proud,
but he will keep the widow’s borders intact.
26The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing.
27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
but he who hates bribes will live.
28The heart of the righteous weighs answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
29The LORD is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
Good news gives health to the bones.
31The ear that listens to reproof lives,
and will be at home among the wise.
32He who refuses correction despises his own soul,
but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.
33The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom.
Before honor is humility.
Proverbs 16
1The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the motives.
3Commit your deeds to the LORD,
and your plans shall succeed.
4The LORD has made everything for its own end—
yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7When a man’s ways please the LORD,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness,
than great revenues with injustice.
9A man’s heart plans his course,
but the LORD directs his steps.
10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king.
He shall not betray his mouth.
11Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings.
They value one who speaks the truth.
14The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will pacify it.
15In the light of the king’s face is life.
His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18Pride goes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor,
than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent.
Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
and adds learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him,
for his mouth urges him on.
27A worthless man devises mischief.
His speech is like a scorching fire.
28A perverse man stirs up strife.
A whisperer separates close friends.
29A man of violence entices his neighbor,
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory.
It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.
Proverbs 17
1Better is a dry morsel with quietness,
than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame,
and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold,
but the LORD tests the hearts.
4An evildoer heeds wicked lips.
A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker.
He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6Children’s children are the crown of old men;
the glory of children is their parents.
7Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool,
much less do lying lips fit a prince.
8A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it;
wherever he turns, he prospers.
9He who covers an offense promotes love;
but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
10A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding
than a hundred lashes into a fool.
11An evil man seeks only rebellion;
therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man,
rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoever rewards evil for good,
evil shall not depart from his house.
14The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam,
therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
15He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous,
both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
since he has no understanding?
17A friend loves at all times;
and a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding strikes hands,
and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
19He who loves disobedience loves strife.
One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity,
and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
21He who becomes the father of a fool grieves.
The father of a fool has no joy.
22A cheerful heart makes good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
23A wicked man receives a bribe in secret,
to pervert the ways of justice.
24Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding,
but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son brings grief to his father,
and bitterness to her who bore him.
26Also to punish the righteous is not good,
nor to flog officials for their integrity.
27He who spares his words has knowledge.
He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise.
When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Proverbs 18
1A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness,
and defies all sound judgment.
2A fool has no delight in understanding,
but only in revealing his own opinion.
3When wickedness comes, contempt also comes,
and with shame comes disgrace.
4The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters.
The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
5To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good,
nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
6A fool’s lips come into strife,
and his mouth invites beatings.
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels:
they go down into a person’s innermost parts.
9One who is slack in his work
is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
10The LORD’s name is a strong tower:
the righteous run to him, and are safe.
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
12Before destruction the heart of man is proud,
but before honor is humility.
13He who answers before he hears,
that is folly and shame to him.
14A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness,
but a crushed spirit, who can bear?
15The heart of the discerning gets knowledge.
The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16A man’s gift makes room for him,
and brings him before great men.
17He who pleads his cause first seems right—
until another comes and questions him.
18The lot settles disputes,
and keeps strong ones apart.
19A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city.
Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
20A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth.
With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
those who love it will eat its fruit.
22Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing,
and obtains favor of the LORD.
23The poor plead for mercy,
but the rich answer harshly.
24A man of many companions may be ruined,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 19
1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way.
3The foolishness of man subverts his way;
his heart rages against the LORD.
4Wealth adds many friends,
but the poor is separated from his friend.
5A false witness shall not be unpunished.
He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6Many will entreat the favor of a ruler,
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7All the relatives of the poor shun him;
how much more do his friends avoid him!
He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul.
He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished.
He who utters lies shall perish.
10Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool,
much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger.
It is his glory to overlook an offense.
12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13A foolish son is the calamity of his father.
A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14House and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep.
The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD;
he will reward him.
18Discipline your son, for there is hope;
don’t be a willing party to his death.
19A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty,
for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
that you may be wise in your latter end.
21There are many plans in a man’s heart,
but the LORD’s counsel will prevail.
22That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness.
A poor man is better than a liar.
23The fear of the LORD leads to life, then contentment;
he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26He who robs his father and drives away his mother
is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27If you stop listening to instruction, my son,
you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28A corrupt witness mocks justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29Penalties are prepared for scoffers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.
Proverbs 20
1Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler.
Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion.
He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter;
therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6Many men claim to be men of unfailing love,
but who can find a faithful man?
7A righteous man walks in integrity.
Blessed are his children after him.
8A king who sits on the throne of judgment
scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, “I have made my heart pure.
I am clean and without sin”?
10Differing weights and differing measures,
both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
11Even a child makes himself known by his doings,
whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,
the LORD has made even both of them.
13Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty.
Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer;
but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15There is gold and abundance of rubies,
but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger;
and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17Fraudulent food is sweet to a man,
but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18Plans are established by advice;
by wise guidance you wage war!
19He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets;
therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20Whoever curses his father or his mother,
his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
won’t be blessed in the end.
22Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.”
Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.
23The LORD detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24A man’s steps are from the LORD;
how then can man understand his way?
25It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication,
then later to consider his vows.
26A wise king winnows out the wicked,
and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The spirit of man is the LORD’s lamp,
searching all his innermost parts.
28Love and faithfulness keep the king safe.
His throne is sustained by love.
29The glory of young men is their strength.
The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30Wounding blows cleanse away evil,
and beatings purge the innermost parts.
Proverbs 21
1The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses.
He turns it wherever he desires.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the hearts.
3To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4A high look and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit;
and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6Getting treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7The violence of the wicked will drive them away,
because they refuse to do what is right.
8The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom.
When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked,
and brings the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor,
he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifies anger,
and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding
shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
the treacherous for the upright.
19It is better to dwell in a desert land,
than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish man swallows it up.
21He who follows after righteousness and kindness
finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps his soul from troubles.
24The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name—
he works in the arrogance of pride.
25The desire of the sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
26There are those who covet greedily all day long;
but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination—
how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28A false witness will perish.
A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29A wicked man hardens his face;
but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding
nor counsel against the LORD.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle;
but victory is with the LORD.
Proverbs 22
1A good name is more desirable than great riches,
and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in common:
The LORD is the maker of them all.
3A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;
but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4The result of humility and the fear of the LORD
is wealth, honor, and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked;
whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7The rich rule over the poor.
The borrower is servant to the lender.
8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out;
yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully
is the king’s friend.
12The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the streets!”
14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit.
He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child;
the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich,
both come to poverty.
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise.
Apply your heart to my teaching.
18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.
19I teach you today, even you,
so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things
of counsel and knowledge,
21To teach you truth, reliable words,
to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor;
and don’t crush the needy in court;
23for the LORD will plead their case,
and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man.
Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25lest you learn his ways
and ensnare your soul.
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands,
of those who are collateral for debts.
27If you don’t have means to pay,
why should he take away your bed from under you?
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone
which your fathers have set up.
Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve kings.
He won’t serve obscure men.
Proverbs 23
1When you sit to eat with a ruler,
consider diligently what is before you;
2put a knife to your throat
if you are a man given to appetite.
3Don’t be desirous of his dainties,
since they are deceitful food.
4Don’t weary yourself to be rich.
In your wisdom, show restraint.
5Why do you set your eyes on that which is not?
For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
6Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye,
and don’t crave his delicacies,
7for as he thinks about the cost, so he is.
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
8You will vomit up the morsel which you have eaten
and waste your pleasant words.
Don’t speak in the ears of a fool,
for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone.
Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11for their Defender is strong.
He will plead their case against you.
Apply your heart to instruction,
and your ears to the words of knowledge.
13Don’t withhold correction from a child.
If you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
14Punish him with the rod,
and save his soul from Sheol.
My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad, even mine.
16Yes, my heart will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.
17Don’t let your heart envy sinners,
but rather fear the LORD all day long.
18Indeed surely there is a future hope,
and your hope will not be cut off.
19Listen, my son, and be wise,
and keep your heart on the right path!
20Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine,
or those who gorge themselves on meat;
21for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor;
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
22Listen to your father who gave you life,
and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
23Buy the truth, and don’t sell it.
Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.
24The father of the righteous has great joy.
Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
25Let your father and your mother be glad!
Let her who bore you rejoice!
26My son, give me your heart;
and let your eyes keep in my ways.
27For a prostitute is a deep pit;
and a wayward wife is a narrow well.
28Yes, she lies in wait like a robber,
and increases the unfaithful among men.
Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has strife?
Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises?
Who has bloodshot eyes?
30Those who stay long at the wine;
those who go to seek out mixed wine.
31Don’t look at the wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly.
32In the end, it bites like a snake,
and poisons like a viper.
33Your eyes will see strange things,
and your mind will imagine confusing things.
34Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the middle of the sea,
or as he who lies on top of the rigging:
35“They hit me, and I was not hurt!
They beat me, and I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up? I can do it again.
I will look for more.”
Proverbs 24
1Don’t be envious of evil men,
neither desire to be with them;
2for their hearts plot violence
and their lips talk about mischief.
3Through wisdom a house is built;
by understanding it is established;
4by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5A wise man has great power.
A knowledgeable man increases strength,
6for by wise guidance you wage your war,
and victory is in many advisors.
7Wisdom is too high for a fool.
He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
8One who plots to do evil
will be called a schemer.
9The schemes of folly are sin.
The mocker is detested by men.
10If you falter in the time of trouble,
your strength is small.
11Rescue those who are being led away to death!
Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
12If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,”
doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it?
Shall he not give to every man according to his work?
13My son, eat honey, for it is good,
the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
14so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul.
If you have found it, then there will be a reward:
Your hope will not be cut off.
15Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous.
Don’t destroy his resting place;
16for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again,
but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls.
Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
18lest the LORD see it, and it displease him,
and he turn away his wrath from him.
19Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers,
neither be envious of the wicked;
20for there will be no reward to the evil man.
The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21My son, fear the LORD and the king.
Don’t join those who are rebellious,
22for their calamity will rise suddenly.
Who knows what destruction may come from them both?
These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
and a rich blessing will come on them.
26An honest answer
is like a kiss on the lips.
27Prepare your work outside,
and get your fields ready.
Afterwards, build your house.
28Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause.
Don’t deceive with your lips.
29Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
I will repay the man according to his work.”
30I went by the field of the sluggard,
by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.
31Behold, it was all grown over with thorns.
Its surface was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32Then I saw, and considered well.
I saw, and received instruction:
33a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34so your poverty will come as a robber
and your want as an armed man.
Proverbs 25
1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver,
and material comes out for the refiner.
5Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
or claim a place among great men;
7for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
whom your eyes have seen.
8Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9Debate your case with your neighbor,
and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10lest one who hears it put you to shame,
and your bad reputation never depart.
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14As clouds and wind without rain,
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15By patience a ruler is persuaded.
A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16Have you found honey?
Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
or vinegar on soda,
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.
23The north wind produces rain;
so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26Like a muddied spring and a polluted well,
so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28Like a city that is broken down and without walls
is a man whose spirit is without restraint.