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Wise Sayings Proverbs 21 Through Proverbs 31:31

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Proverbs 21

 1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord.
      He directs it like a stream of water anywhere he pleases.
 2 Everything a man does might seem right to him.
      But the Lord knows what he is thinking.
 3 Do what is right and fair.
      The Lord accepts that more than sacrifices.
 4 Proud eyes and a proud heart are the lamp of sinful people.
      But those things are evil.
 5 The plans of people who work hard succeed.
      You can be sure that those in a hurry will become poor.
 6 A fortune made by people who tell lies
      amounts to nothing and leads to death.
 7 The harmful things that evil people do will drag them away.
      They refuse to do what is right.
 8 The path of those who are guilty is crooked.
      But the conduct of those who are not guilty is honest.
 9 It is better to live on a corner of a roof
      than to share a house with a nagging wife.
 10 A sinful person longs to do evil.
      He doesn't show his neighbor any mercy.
 11 When you punish someone who makes fun of others, childish people get wise.
      If you teach a person who is already wise, he will get even more knowledge.
 12 The Blameless One knows where sinners live.
      And he destroys them.
 13 If you refuse to listen to the cries of poor people,
      you too will cry out and not be answered.
 14 A secret gift calms anger down.
      A hidden favor softens great anger.
 15 When you do what is fair, you make godly people glad.
      But you terrify those who do what is evil.
 16 A man who leaves the path of understanding
      ends up with those who are dead.
 17 Anyone who loves pleasure will become poor.
      Anyone who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
 18 Those who do what is evil pay the price for setting godly people free.
      Those who aren't faithful pay the price for honest people.
 19 It is better to live in a desert
      than to live with a nagging, angry wife.
 20 The best food and olive oil are stored up in the houses of wise people.
      But a foolish man eats up everything he has.
 21 Anyone who wants to be godly and loving
      finds life, success and honor.
 22 Those who are wise can attack a strong city.
      They can pull down the place of safety its people trust in.
 23 Anyone who is careful about what he says
      keeps himself out of trouble.
 24 A proud person is called a "mocker."
      He thinks much too highly of himself.
 25 Some people will die while they are still hungry.
      That's because their hands refuse to work.
 26 All day long they hunger for more.
      But godly people give without holding back.
 27 God hates sacrifices that are brought by evil people.
      He hates it even more when they bring them for the wrong reason.
 28 Witnesses who aren't honest will die.
      And anyone who listens to them will be destroyed forever.
 29 A sinful man tries to look as if he were bold.
      But an honest person thinks about how he lives.
 30 No wisdom, wise saying or plan
      can succeed against the Lord.
 31 You can prepare a horse for the day of battle.
      But the power to win comes from the Lord.

Proverbs 22

 1 You should want a good name more than you want great riches.
      To be highly respected is better than having silver or gold.
 2 The Lord made rich people and poor people.
      That's what they have in common.
 3 Wise people see danger and go to a safe place.
      But childish people keep going and suffer for it.
 4 Have respect for the Lord and don't be proud.
      That will bring you wealth and honor and life.
 5 Thorns and traps lie in the paths of evil people.
      But those who guard themselves stay far away from them.
 6 Train a child in the way he should go.
      When he is old, he will not turn away from it.
 7 Rich people rule over those who are poor.
      Borrowers are slaves to lenders.
 8 Anyone who plants evil gathers a harvest of trouble.
      His power to beat others down will be destroyed.
 9 Anyone who gives freely will be blessed.
      That's because he shares his food with those who are poor.
 10 If you drive away those who make fun of others, fighting also goes away.
      Arguing and unkind words will stop.
 11 Have a pure and loving heart, and speak kindly.
      Then you will be a friend of the king.
 12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge.
      But he does away with the words of those who aren't faithful.
 13 People who don't want to work say, "There's a lion outside!"
      Or they say, "I'll be murdered if I go out into the streets!"
 14 The mouth of a woman who commits adultery is like a deep pit.
      Any man the Lord is angry with will fall into it.
 15 A child is going to do foolish things.
      But correcting him will drive his foolishness far away from him.
 16 One person may beat poor people down in order to get rich.
      Another person may give gifts to rich people. Both of them will become poor.

Sayings of Those Who Are Wise

 17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of those who are wise.
      Apply your heart to the sayings I teach.
 18 It is pleasing when you keep them in your heart.
      Have all of them ready on your lips.
 19 You are the one I am teaching today.
      I want you to trust in the Lord.
 20 I have written 30 sayings for you.
      They will give you knowledge and good advice.
 21 I am teaching you words that are completely true.
      Then you can give the right answers to the one who sent you. 
22 Don't take advantage of poor people just because they are poor.
      Don't beat down those who are in need by taking them to court.
 23 The Lord will stand up for them in court.
      He will take back the stolen goods from those who have robbed them. 
24 Don't be a friend with anyone who burns with anger.
      Don't go around with a person who gets angry easily.
 25 You might learn his habits.
      And then you will be trapped by them. 
26 Don't agree to pay for
      what someone else owes.
 27 Don't put up money for him.
      If you don't have the money to pay,
      your bed will be taken right out from under you! 
28 Don't move old boundary stones
      that your people set up long ago. 
29 Do you see a man who does good work?
      He will serve kings.
      He won't serve ordinary people.

Proverbs 23

  1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
      look carefully at what's in front of you.
 2 Put a knife to your throat
      if you like to eat too much.
 3 Don't long for his fancy food.
      It can fool you. 
4 Don't wear yourself out to get rich.
      Be wise enough to say no.
 5 When you take even a quick look at riches, they are gone.
      They grow wings and fly away into the sky like an eagle. 
 6 Don't eat the food of anyone who won't share it.
      Don't long for his fancy food.
 7 He is the kind of person
      who is always thinking about how much it costs.
   "Eat and drink," he says to you.
      But he doesn't mean it.
 8 You will throw up what little you have eaten.
      You will have wasted your words of praise. 
 9 Don't speak to a foolish person.
      He will laugh at your wise words. 
10 Don't move old boundary stones.
      Don't try to take over the fields of children whose fathers have died.
 11 The One who guards them is strong.
      He will stand up for them in court against you. 
12 Apply your heart to what you are taught.
      Listen carefully to words of knowledge. 
 13 Don't hold back training from a child.
      If you correct him, he won't die.
 14 So correct him.
      Then you will save him from death. 
 15 My child, if your heart is wise,
      my heart will be glad.
 16 Deep down inside, I will be happy
      when you say what is right. 
17 Do not long for what sinners have.
      But always show great respect for the Lord.
 18 There really is hope for you tomorrow.
      So your hope will not be cut off. 
 19 My child, listen and be wise.
      Keep your heart on the right path.
 20 Don't join those who drink too much wine.
      Don't join those who stuff themselves with meat.
 21 Those who drink or eat too much will become poor.
      If they sleep too much, they'll have to wear rags. 
 22 Listen to your father, who gave you life.
      Don't hate your mother when she is old.
 23 Buy the truth. Don't sell it.
      Get wisdom, training and understanding.
 24 The father of a godly child is very happy.
      Anyone who has a wise child is glad.
 25 May your father and mother be glad.
      May the woman who gave birth to you be happy.
26 My son, give me your heart.
      Keep your eyes on the way I live.
 27 A prostitute is like a deep pit.
      A wife who commits adultery is like a narrow well.
 28 She hides and waits like a thief.
      She causes many men to sin. 
 29 Who has trouble? Who has sorrow?
      Who argues? Who has problems?
      Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?
 30 Those who spend too much time with wine.
      Or those who like to taste wine that is mixed with spices.
 31 Don't look at wine when it is red.
      Don't look at it when it bubbles in the cup.
      And don't look at it when it goes down smoothly.
 32 In the end it bites like a snake.
      It bites like a poisonous serpent.
 33 Your eyes will see strange sights.
      Your mind will imagine weird things.
 34 You will feel like someone sleeping on the ocean.
      You will think you are lying among the ropes in a boat.
 35 "They hit me," you will say. "But I'm not hurt!
      They beat me. But I don't feel it!
   When will I wake up
      so I can find another drink?"

 Proverbs 24

 1 Do not want what evil men have.
      Don't long to be with them.
 2 In their hearts they plan to hurt others.
      With their lips they talk about making trouble. 
 3 By wisdom a house is built.
      Through understanding it is made secure.
 4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled
      with priceless and beautiful things. 
 5 A wise man has great power.
      A man who has knowledge increases his strength.
 6 If you go to war, you need guidance.
      If you want to win, you need many good advisers. 
 7 Wisdom is too high for anyone who is foolish.
      He has nothing to say when people meet at the city gate to conduct business. 
8 Anyone who thinks up sinful things to do
      will be known as one who plans evil.
 9 Foolish plans are sinful.
      People hate those who make fun of others. 
10 If you grow weak when trouble comes,
      your strength is very small! 
11 Save those who are being led away to death.
      Hold back those who are about to be killed.
 12 Don't say, "But we didn't know anything about this."
      The One who knows what you are thinking sees it.
   The One who guards your life knows it.
      He will pay each person back for what he has done. 
13 Eat honey, my child. It is good.
      Honey from a honeycomb has a sweet taste.
14 I want you to know that wisdom is sweet to you.
      If you find it, there is hope for you tomorrow.
      So your hope will not be cut off. 
15 Don't hide and wait like a burglar at a godly person's house.
      Don't rob his home.
16 Even if godly people fall down seven times, they always get up.
      But those who are evil are brought down by trouble. 
17 Don't be happy when your enemy falls.
      When he trips, don't let your heart be glad.
18 The Lord will see it, but he won't be pleased.
      He might turn his anger away from your enemy. 
19 Don't be upset because of evil people.
      Don't long for what sinners have.
20 Tomorrow evil people won't have any hope.
      The lamps of sinners will be blown out. 
21 My son, have respect for the Lord and the king.
      Don't join those who disobey them.
22 The Lord and the king will suddenly destroy them.
      Who knows what trouble those two can bring?

   More Sayings of Those Who Are Wise

 23 Here are more sayings of those who are wise.
   Taking sides in court is not good.
    24 A curse will fall on those who say the guilty are not guilty.
   Nations will call down curses on them.
      People will speak against them.
 25 But it will go well with those who sentence guilty people.
      Rich blessings will come to them.
 26 An honest answer
      is like a kiss on the lips.
 27 Finish your outdoor work.
      Get your fields ready.
      After that, build your house.
 28 Don't give witness against your neighbor without any reason.
      Don't use your lips to tell lies.
 29 Don't say, "I'll do to him what he did to me.
      I'll get even with that man for what he did."
 30 I went past the field of someone who didn't want to work.
      I went past the vineyard of a man who didn't have any sense.
 31 Thorns had grown up everywhere.
      The ground was covered with weeds.
      The stone wall had fallen down.
 32 I applied my heart to what I observed.
      I learned a lesson from what I saw.
 33 You might sleep a little or take a little nap.
      You might even fold your hands and rest.
 34 Then you would be poor, as if someone had robbed you.
      You would have little, as if someone had stolen from you.

Proverbs 25

   More Proverbs of Solomon

 1 These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were copied down by the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.

 2 When God hides a matter, he gets glory.
      When kings figure out a matter, they get glory.
 3 The heavens are high and the earth is deep.
      In the same way, the minds of kings are hard to figure out.
 4 Remove the scum from the silver.
      Then the master worker can make something.
 5 Remove sinful people from where the king is.
      When he does what is right, his kingdom will be secure.
 6 Don't brag in front of the king.
      Don't claim a place among great people.
 7 Let the king say to you, "Come up here."
      That's better than for him to shame you in front of nobles.
   What you have seen with your own eyes
    8 don't bring too quickly to court.
   What will you do in the end
      if your neighbor puts you to shame?
 9 If you talk about a matter with your neighbor,
      don't tell others what was said.
 10 If you do, someone might hear it and put you to shame.
      Then no one will ever respect you again.
 11 The right word at the right time
      is like golden apples in silver jewelry.
 12 A wise person's warning to a listening ear
      is like a gold earring or jewelry made of fine gold.
 13 A messenger trusted by those who send him
      is like cool snow at harvest time.
      He renews the spirit of his masters.
 14 A man who brags about gifts he doesn't give
      is like wind and clouds that don't produce rain.
 15 If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side.
      And gentle words can break a bone.
 16 If you find honey, eat just enough.
      If you eat too much of it, you will throw up.
 17 Don't go to your neighbor's home very often.
      If he sees too much of you, he will hate you.
 18 A man who gives false witness against his neighbor
      is like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow.
 19 Trusting someone who is not faithful when trouble comes
      is like a bad tooth or a disabled foot.
 20 You may sing songs to a troubled heart.
      But that's like taking a coat away on a cold day.
      It's like pouring vinegar on baking soda.
 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
      If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
 22 By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on his head.
      And the Lord will reward you.
 23 The north wind brings rain.
      And a crafty tongue brings angry looks.
 24 It is better to live on a corner of a roof
      than to share a house with a nagging wife.
 25 Hearing good news from a land far away
      is like drinking cold water when you are tired.
 26 Sometimes a godly person gives in to those who are evil.
      Then he becomes like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well.
 27 It isn't good for you to eat too much honey.
      And you shouldn't try to get others to honor you.
 28 A man who can't control himself
      is like a city whose walls are broken down.

Proverbs 26 

1 It isn't proper to honor a foolish person.
      That's like having snow in summer or rain at harvest time.
 2 A curse given for no reason is like a wandering bird or a flying sparrow.
      It doesn't go anywhere.
 3 A whip is for a horse. A harness is for a donkey.
      And a beating is for the backs of foolish people.
 4 Don't answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts.
      If you do, you will be like him yourself.
 5 Answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts.
      If you do, he won't be wise in his own eyes.
 6 Sending a message in the hand of a foolish person
      is like cutting off your feet or drinking something harmful.
 7 A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person
      is like disabled legs that are useless.
 8 Giving honor to a foolish person
      is like tying a stone in a slingshot.
 9 A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person
      is like a thorn in the hand of someone who is drunk.
 10 Anyone who hires a foolish person or someone who is passing by
      is like a person who shoots arrows at just anybody.
 11 A foolish person who does the same foolish things again
      is like a dog that returns to where it has thrown up.
 12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
      There is more hope for a foolish person than for him.
 13 A person who doesn't want to work says, "There's a lion in the road!
      There's an angry lion wandering in the streets!"
 14 A person who doesn't want to work turns over in bed
      just like a door that swings back and forth.
 15 A person who doesn't want to work leaves his hand in the dish.
      He acts as if he is too tired to bring it back up to his mouth.
 16 A person who doesn't want to work is wiser in his own eyes
      than seven people who give careful answers.
 17 Don't get mixed up in someone else's fight as you are passing by.
      That's like picking a dog up by its ears.
 18 Suppose a crazy person shoots
      flaming arrows that can kill.
 19 A man who lies to his neighbor
      and says, "I was only joking!" is just like that person.
 20 If you don't have wood, your fire goes out.
      If you don't talk about others, arguing dies down.
 21 Coal glows. Wood burns.
      And a man who argues stirs up fights.
 22 The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food.
      They go deep down inside you.
 23 Warm words that come from an evil heart
      are like shiny paint on a clay pot.
 24 Someone who wants to hurt you uses his words to hide his hatred.
      But his heart is full of lies that cover up his evil plans.
 25 What a person says can be charming. But don't believe him.
      Seven things that God hates can fill that person's heart.
 26 Hatred can be hidden by lies.
      But what is evil will be shown to everyone.
 27 If anyone digs a pit, he will fall into it.
      If he rolls a big stone, it will roll back on him.
 28 A tongue that tells lies hates the people it hurts.
      And words that seem to praise you destroy you.

Proverbs 27

1 Don't brag about tomorrow.
      You don't know what a day will bring.
 2 Let another person praise you, and not your own mouth.
      Let someone else praise you, and not your own lips.
 3 Stones are heavy. Sand weighs a lot.
      But letting a foolish person make you angry is a heavier load than both of them.
 4 Anger is mean. Great anger overpowers you.
      But who can face jealousy?
 5 Being warned openly is better
      than being loved in secret.
 6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted.
      But an enemy kisses you many times.
 7 When you are full, you even hate honey.
      When you are hungry, even what is bitter tastes sweet.
 8 A man who wanders away from his home
      is like a bird that wanders from its nest.
 9 Perfume and incense bring joy to your heart.
      And a friend is sweeter when he gives you honest advice.
 10 Don't desert your friend or your father's friend.
      And don't go to your family when trouble strikes you.
      A neighbor nearby is better than a family member far away.
 11 My child, be wise and bring joy to my heart.
      Then I can answer anyone who makes fun of me.
 12 Wise people see danger and go to a safe place.
      But childish people keep on going and suffer for it.
 13 Take the coat of one who puts up money for what a stranger owes.
      Hold it until you get paid back if he does it for a woman who commits adultery.
 14 Suppose you loudly bless your neighbor early in the morning.
      Then you might as well be calling down a curse on him.
 15 A nagging wife is like
      dripping that never stops on a rainy day.
 16 Stopping her is like trying to stop the wind.
      It's like trying to grab oil with your hand.
 17 As iron sharpens iron,
      so one person sharpens another.
 18 A person who takes good care of a fig tree will eat its fruit.
      And a person who looks after his master will be honored.
 19 When you look into water, you see a likeness of your face.
      When you look into your heart, you see what you are really like.
 20 Death and the Grave are never satisfied.
      A man's eyes are never satisfied either.
 21 Fire tests silver. Heat tests gold.
      But a man is tested by the praise he receives.
 22 You can grind a foolish person in a mill.
      You can grind him as you would grind grain with a tool.
      But you can't remove his foolishness from him.
 23 Be sure you know how your flocks are doing.
      Pay careful attention to your herds.
 24 Riches don't last forever.
      And a crown is not secure for all time to come.
 25 The hay is removed, and new growth appears.
      The grass from the hills is gathered in.
 26 Then your lambs will provide you with clothes.
      And the money from selling your goats will buy you a field.
 27 You will have plenty of goats' milk.
      It will feed you and your family.
      It will also feed your female servants.

Proverbs 28

1 Sinners run away even when no one is chasing them.
      But those who do what is right are as bold as lions.
 2 A country has many rulers when its people don't obey.
      But an understanding king knows how to keep order.
 3 A ruler who beats poor people down
      is like a pounding rain that leaves no crops.
 4 Those who turn away from the law praise sinners.
      But those who obey the law oppose them.
 5 Sinful men don't understand what is fair.
      But those who worship the Lord understand it completely.
 6 It is better to be poor and live without blame
      than to be rich and follow a crooked path.
 7 A child who obeys the law understands what is right.
      But a child who likes to eat too much brings shame on his father.
 8 A person who increases his wealth by charging high interest
      piles it up for someone who will be kind to poor people.
 9 If you don't pay attention to the law,
      even your prayers are hated.
 10 Those who lead honest people down an evil path
      will fall into their own trap.
   But those who are without blame
      will receive good things.
 11 Rich people may be wise in their own eyes.
      But a poor person who understands what is right knows what they are really like.
 12 When godly people win, everyone is very happy.
      But when sinners take charge, everyone hides.
 13 Anyone who hides his sins doesn't succeed.
      But anyone who admits his sins and gives them up finds mercy.
 14 Blessed is the one who always has respect for the Lord.
      But anyone who is stubborn will get into trouble.
 15 An evil person who rules over helpless people
      is like a roaring lion or an angry bear.
 16 A ruler who is mean to his people doesn't have any sense.
      But anyone who hates money gained in the wrong way will enjoy a long life.
 17 A man who is troubled because he is guilty of murder
      will be on the run until the day he dies.
      No one should give him any help.
 18 Anyone who lives without blame is kept safe.
      But anyone whose path is crooked will suddenly fall.
 19 Anyone who farms his land will have plenty of food.
      But anyone who chases dreams will be very poor.
 20 A faithful man will be richly blessed.
      But anyone who wants to get rich will be punished.
 21 Favoring one person over another is not good.
      But some men will do wrong for a piece of bread.
 22 A man who won't share what he has wants to get rich.
      He doesn't know he is going to be poor.
 23 It is better to warn a man than to pretend to praise him.
      In the end he will be more pleased with you.
 24 Anyone who steals from his parents and says, "It's not wrong,"
      is just like a man who destroys.
 25 A person who always wants more stirs up fights.
      But anyone who trusts in the Lord will succeed.
 26 Anyone who trusts in himself is foolish.
      But a person who lives wisely is kept safe.
 27 Those who give to poor people
      will have everything they need.
   But those who close their eyes to the poor
      will be under many curses.
 28 When those who are evil take charge, other people hide.
      But when those who are evil die, godly people grow stronger.

Proverbs 29 

1 A man who still won't obey after being warned many times
      will suddenly be destroyed. Nothing can save him.
 2 When those who do right grow stronger, the people are glad.
      But when those who do wrong become rulers, the people groan.
 3 A man who loves wisdom makes his father glad.
      But a man who spends time with prostitutes wastes his father's wealth.
 4 By doing what is fair, a king makes a country secure.
      But the one who wants to be paid off tears it down.
 5 A man who only pretends to praise his neighbor
      is spreading a net to catch him by the feet.
 6 A sinful man is trapped by his own sin.
      But a godly person can sing and be glad.
 7 Those who do what is right want to treat poor people fairly.
      But those who do what is wrong don't care about the poor.
 8 Those who make fun of others stir up a city.
      But wise people turn anger away.
 9 Suppose a wise man goes to court with a foolish person.
      Then the foolish person gets mad and pokes fun. And there is no peace.
 10 Murderers hate honest people.
      They try to kill those who do what is right.
 11 A foolish person lets his anger run wild.
      But a wise person keeps himself under control.
 12 If rulers listen to lies,
      all their officials become evil.
 13 The Lord gives sight to the eyes of poor people and those who beat others down.
      That's what they both have in common.
 14 If a king judges poor people fairly,
      his throne will always be secure.
 15 If a child is corrected, he becomes wise.
      But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
 16 When those who do wrong grow stronger, so does sin.
      But those who do right will see them destroyed.
 17 If you train your children, they will give you peace.
      They will bring delight to you.
 18 Where there is no message from God, the people don't control themselves.
      But blessed are those who obey the law.
 19 A servant can't be corrected only by words.
      Even if he understands, he won't obey.
 20 Have you seen a man who speaks without thinking?
      There is more hope for foolish people than for him.
 21 If you spoil your servant while he is young,
      he will bring you sorrow later on.
 22 An angry man stirs up fights.
      And a person who burns with anger commits many sins.
 23 If a man is proud, he will be made low.
      But if he isn't proud, he will be honored.
 24 Anyone who helps a thief is his own enemy.
      When he is put under oath, he doesn't dare give witness.
 25 If you are afraid of people, it will trap you.
      But if you trust in the Lord, he will keep you safe.
 26 Many people want to meet a ruler.
      But only the Lord sees that people are treated fairly.
 27 Those who do what is right hate dishonest people.
      Those who do what is wrong hate honest people.

Proverbs 30

   The Sayings of Agur

 1 These sayings are the words of Agur, son of Jakeh. He spoke them as if they came from God.
   He spoke them to Ithiel
      and to Ucal.
 2 He said, "I know less than anyone.
      I don't understand as other men do.
 3 I haven't learned wisdom.
      And I don't know the Holy One.
 4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
      Who has gathered up the wind in the palms of his hands?
   Who has wrapped up the waters in his coat?
      Who has set all the boundaries of the earth in place?
   What is his name? What is his son's name?
      Tell me if you know!
 5 "Every word of God is perfect.
      He is like a shield to those who trust in him.
      He keeps them safe.
 6 Don't add to his words.
      If you do, he will correct you.
      He will prove that you are a liar.
 7 "Lord, I ask you for two things.
      Don't refuse me before I die.
 8 Keep lies far away from me.
      Don't make me either poor or rich,
      but give me only the bread I need each day.
 9 If you don't, I might have too much.
      Then I might say I don't know you.
      I might say, 'Who is the Lord?'
   Or I might become poor and steal.
      Then I would bring shame to the name of my God.
 10 "Don't tell lies about a servant when you talk to his master.
      If you do, he will call down curses on you. And you will pay for it.
 11 "Some people call down curses on their fathers.
      Others don't bless their mothers.
 12 Some are pure in their own eyes.
      But their dirty sins haven't been washed away.
 13 Some have eyes that are very proud.
      They look down on others.
 14 Some people have teeth like swords.
      The teeth in their jaws are as sharp as knives.
   They are ready to eat up the poor people of the earth.
      They are ready to eat up those who are the most needy.
 15 "A bloodsucking worm has two daughters.
      They cry out, 'Give! Give!'
   "Three things are never satisfied.
      Four things never say, 'Enough!'
 16 The first is the grave.
      The second is a woman who can't have a baby.
   The third is land. It never gets enough water.
      And the fourth is fire. It never says, 'Enough!'
 17 "Some make fun of their fathers.
      Others laugh about obeying their mothers.
   The ravens of the valley will peck their eyes out.
      Then the vultures will eat them.
 18 "Three things are too amazing for me.
      There are four things I don't understand.
 19 The first is the way of an eagle in the sky.
      The second is the way of a snake on a rock.
   The third is the way of a ship on the ocean.
      And the fourth is the way of a man with a young woman.
 20 "This is the way of a woman who commits adultery.
      She eats. She wipes her mouth.
      Then she says, 'I haven't done anything wrong.'
 21 "Under three things the earth shakes.
      Under four things it can't stand up.
 22 The first is a servant who becomes a king.
      The second is a foolish person who is full of food.
 23 The third is a woman who is married but not loved by her husband.
      And the fourth is a woman servant who takes the place of the woman she works for.
 24 "Four things on earth are small.
      But they are very wise.
 25 The first are ants. They aren't very strong.
      But they store up their food in the summer.
 26 The second are rock badgers. They aren't very powerful.
      But they make their home among the rocks.
 27 The third are locusts. They don't have a king.
      But they all march forward in ranks.
 28 And the fourth are lizards. Your hand can catch them.
      But you will find them in kings' palaces.
 29 "Three things walk as if they were kings.
      Four things move as kings do.
 30 The first is a lion. It is mighty among the animals.
      It doesn't back away from anything.
 31 The second is a rooster that walks proudly.
      The third is a billy goat.
      And the fourth is a king who has his army around him.
 32 "Have you been foolish?
      Have you thought you were better than others?
   Have you planned evil?
      If you have, put your hand over your mouth and stop talking!
 33 If you churn cream, you will produce butter.
      If you twist a nose, you will produce blood.
      And if you stir up anger, you will produce a fight."

Proverbs 31

   The Sayings of King Lemuel

 1 These are the sayings of King Lemuel. His mother taught them to him. She spoke them as if they came from God.

 2 She said, "My son! My very own son!
      The son I prayed for!
 3 Don't waste your strength on women.
      Don't waste it on those who destroy kings.
 4 "Lemuel, it isn't good for kings to drink wine.
      It isn't good for rulers to long for beer.
 5 If they do, they might drink and forget what the law commands.
      They might take away the rights of all those who are beaten down.
 6 Give beer to those who are dying.
      Give wine to those who are sad and troubled.
 7 Let them drink and forget how poor they are.
      Let them forget their suffering.
 8 "Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves.
      Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.
 9 Speak up and judge fairly.
      Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy."

The Noble Wife

 10 Who can find a noble wife?
      She is worth far more than rubies.
 11 Her husband trusts her completely.
      She gives him all the important things he needs.
 12 She brings him good, not harm,
      all the days of her life.
 13 She chooses wool and flax.
      She loves to work with her hands.
 14 She is like the ships of traders.
      She brings her food from far away.
 15 She gets up while it is still dark.
      She provides food for her family.
      She also gives some to her female servants.
 16 She considers a field and buys it.
      She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.
 17 She gets ready to work hard.
      Her arms are strong.
 18 She sees that her trading earns a lot of money.
      Her lamp doesn't go out at night.
 19 With one hand she holds the wool.
      With the other she spins the thread.
 20 She opens her arms to those who are poor.
      She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.
 21 When it snows, she's not afraid for her family.
      All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.
 22 She makes her own bed coverings.
      She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.
 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate.
      There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
 24 She makes linen clothes and sells them.
      She supplies belts to the traders.
 25 She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes.
      She can laugh at the days that are coming.
 26 She speaks wisely.
      She teaches faithfully.
 27 She watches over family matters.
      She is busy all the time.
 28 Her children stand up and call her blessed.
      Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.
 29 He says, "Many women do noble things.
      But you are better than all the others."
 30 Charm can fool you. Beauty fades.
      But a woman who has respect for the Lord should be praised.
 31 Give her the reward she has earned.
      Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.