For

He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.

The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.

By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.

Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.

A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.

Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

Luxury is unseemly for a fool—how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.

Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.

…for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.

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

…for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.

Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.

Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

…for he is keeping track, inwardly counting the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

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

…for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you.

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

For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well.

“They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I did not know it! When can I wake up to search for another drink?”

…for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble.

Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place.

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

Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.

For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.

For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring?

Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.

…for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,

For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

Take the garment of him who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.

…for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.

You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.

You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.

He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.

Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.

Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand:

For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.

She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and as knowledge grows, grief increases.

I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees.

…and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines.

Anything my eyes desired, I did not deny myself. I refused my heart no pleasure. For my heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.

Anything my eyes desired, I did not deny myself. I refused my heart no pleasure. For my heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.

Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished?

For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, just as with the fool, seeing that both will be forgotten in the days to come. Alas, the wise man will die just like the fool!