Holman Christian Standard Bible (196 page)
Read Holman Christian Standard Bible Online
Authors: B&H Publishing Group
23
One who rebukes a person will later find more favor
than one who flatters with his tongue.
One who rebukes a person will later find more favor
than one who flatters with his tongue.
24
The one who robs his father or mother
and says, “That's no sin,”
is a companion to a man who destroys.
The one who robs his father or mother
and says, “That's no sin,”
is a companion to a man who destroys.
25
A greedy person provokes conflict,
but whoever trusts in the
Lord
will prosper.
A greedy person provokes conflict,
but whoever trusts in the
Lord
will prosper.
26
The one who trusts in himself is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
The one who trusts in himself is a fool,
but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27
The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away
will receive many curses.
The one who gives to the poor
will not be in need,
but one who turns his eyes away
will receive many curses.
28
When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.
When the wicked come to power,
people hide,
but when they are destroyed,
the righteous flourish.
Proverbs
29
One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly —
beyond recovery.
One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly —
beyond recovery.
2
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, people groan.
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, people groan.
3
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.
A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.
4
By justice a king brings stability to a land,
but a man who demands “contributions”
demolishes it.
By justice a king brings stability to a land,
but a man who demands “contributions”
demolishes it.
5
A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6
An evil man is caught by sin,
but the righteous one sings and rejoices.
An evil man is caught by sin,
but the righteous one sings and rejoices.
7
The righteous person knows the rights of the poor,
but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.
The righteous person knows the rights of the poor,
but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.
8
Mockers inflame a city,
but the wise turn away anger.
Mockers inflame a city,
but the wise turn away anger.
9
If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.
If a wise man goes to court with a fool,
there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.
10
Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,
but the upright care about him.
Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,
but the upright care about him.
11
A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise man holds it in check.
A fool gives full vent to his anger,
but a wise man holds it in check.
12
If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials will be wicked.
If a ruler listens to lies,
all his officials will be wicked.
13
The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
the
Lord
gives light to the eyes of both.
The poor and the oppressor have this in common:
the
Lord
gives light to the eyes of both.
14
A king who judges the poor with fairness —
his throne will be established forever.
A king who judges the poor with fairness —
his throne will be established forever.
15
A rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a youth left to himself
is a disgrace to his mother.
A rod of correction imparts wisdom,
but a youth left to himself
is a disgrace to his mother.
16
When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
When the wicked increase, rebellion increases,
but the righteous will see their downfall.
17
Discipline your son, and it will bring you peace of mind
and give you delight.
Discipline your son, and it will bring you peace of mind
and give you delight.
18
Without revelation people run wild,
but one who listens to instruction will be happy.
Without revelation people run wild,
but one who listens to instruction will be happy.
19
A slave cannot be disciplined by words;
though he understands, he doesn't respond.
A slave cannot be disciplined by words;
though he understands, he doesn't respond.
20
Do you see a man who speaks too soon?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Do you see a man who speaks too soon?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21
A slave pampered from his youth
will become arrogant later on.
A slave pampered from his youth
will become arrogant later on.
22
An angry man stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered man increases rebellion.
An angry man stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered man increases rebellion.
23
A person's pride will humble him,
but a humble spirit will gain honor.
A person's pride will humble him,
but a humble spirit will gain honor.
24
To be a thief's partner is to hate oneself;
he hears the curse but will not testify.
To be a thief's partner is to hate oneself;
he hears the curse but will not testify.
25
The fear of man is a snare,
but the one who trusts in the
Lord
is protected.
The fear of man is a snare,
but the one who trusts in the
Lord
is protected.
26
Many seek a ruler's favor,
but a man receives justice from the
Lord
.
Many seek a ruler's favor,
but a man receives justice from the
Lord
.
27
An unjust man is detestable to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright
is detestable to the wicked.
An unjust man is detestable to the righteous,
and one whose way is upright
is detestable to the wicked.
Proverbs
The Words of Agur
30
The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.
The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.
The man's oration to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
2
I am more stupid than any other man,
and I lack man's ability to understand.
3
I have not gained wisdom,
and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.
4
Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in His hands?
Who has bound up the waters in a cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name,
and what is the name of His Son —
if you know?
5
Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
6
Don't add to His words,
or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.
I am more stupid than any other man,
and I lack man's ability to understand.
3
I have not gained wisdom,
and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.
4
Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in His hands?
Who has bound up the waters in a cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name,
and what is the name of His Son —
if you know?
5
Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
6
Don't add to His words,
or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.
7
Two things I ask of You;
don't deny them to me before I die:
8
Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me.
Give me neither poverty nor wealth;
feed me with the food I need.
9
Otherwise, I might have too much
and deny You, saying, “Who is the
Lord
? ”
or I might have nothing and steal,
profaning the name of my God.
Two things I ask of You;
don't deny them to me before I die:
8
Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me.
Give me neither poverty nor wealth;
feed me with the food I need.
9
Otherwise, I might have too much
and deny You, saying, “Who is the
Lord
? ”
or I might have nothing and steal,
profaning the name of my God.
10
Don't slander a servant to his master
or he will curse you, and you will become
•guilty
.
Don't slander a servant to his master
or he will curse you, and you will become
•guilty
.
11
There is a generation that curses its father
and does not bless its mother.
12
There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
yet is not washed from its filth.
13
There is a generation — how haughty its eyes
and pretentious its looks.
14
There is a generation whose teeth are swords,
whose fangs are knives,
devouring the oppressed from the land
and the needy from among mankind.
There is a generation that curses its father
and does not bless its mother.
12
There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
yet is not washed from its filth.
13
There is a generation — how haughty its eyes
and pretentious its looks.
14
There is a generation whose teeth are swords,
whose fangs are knives,
devouring the oppressed from the land
and the needy from among mankind.
15
The leech has two daughters: “Give, Give!”
Three things are never satisfied;
four never say, “Enough! ”:
16
•Sheol
; a childless womb;
earth, which is never satisfied with water;
and fire, which never says, “Enough! ”
The leech has two daughters: “Give, Give!”
Three things are never satisfied;
four never say, “Enough! ”:
16
•Sheol
; a childless womb;
earth, which is never satisfied with water;
and fire, which never says, “Enough! ”
17
As for the eye that ridicules a father
and despises obedience to a mother,
may ravens of the valley pluck it out
and young vultures eat it.
As for the eye that ridicules a father
and despises obedience to a mother,
may ravens of the valley pluck it out
and young vultures eat it.
18
Three things are beyond me;
four I can't understand:
19
the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship at sea,
and the way of a man with a young woman.
Three things are beyond me;
four I can't understand:
19
the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship at sea,
and the way of a man with a young woman.
20
This is the way of an adulteress:
she eats and wipes her mouth
and says, “I've done nothing wrong.”
This is the way of an adulteress:
she eats and wipes her mouth
and says, “I've done nothing wrong.”
21
The earth trembles under three things;
it cannot bear up under four:
22
a servant when he becomes king,
a fool when he is stuffed with food,
23
an unloved woman when she marries,
and a servant girl when she ousts her queen.
The earth trembles under three things;
it cannot bear up under four:
22
a servant when he becomes king,
a fool when he is stuffed with food,
23
an unloved woman when she marries,
and a servant girl when she ousts her queen.
24
Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
25
the ants are not a strong people,
yet they store up their food in the summer;
26
hyraxes are not a mighty people,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
27
locusts have no king,
yet all of them march in ranks;
28
a lizard can be caught in your hands,
yet it lives in kings' palaces.
Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
25
the ants are not a strong people,
yet they store up their food in the summer;
26
hyraxes are not a mighty people,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
27
locusts have no king,
yet all of them march in ranks;
28
a lizard can be caught in your hands,
yet it lives in kings' palaces.
29
Three things are stately in their stride,
even four are stately in their walk:
30
a lion, which is mightiest among beasts
and doesn't retreat before anything,
31
a strutting rooster, a goat,
and a king at the head of his army.
Three things are stately in their stride,
even four are stately in their walk:
30
a lion, which is mightiest among beasts
and doesn't retreat before anything,
31
a strutting rooster, a goat,
and a king at the head of his army.
32
If you have been foolish by exalting yourself
or if you've been scheming,
put your hand over your mouth.
33
For the churning of milk produces butter,
and twisting a nose draws blood,
and stirring up anger produces strife.
If you have been foolish by exalting yourself
or if you've been scheming,
put your hand over your mouth.
33
For the churning of milk produces butter,
and twisting a nose draws blood,
and stirring up anger produces strife.
Proverbs
The Words of Lemuel
31
The words of King Lemuel,
an oracle that his mother taught him:
The words of King Lemuel,
an oracle that his mother taught him:
2
What should I say, my son?
What, son of my womb?
What, son of my vows?
3
Don't spend your energy on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings.
4
It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine
or for rulers to desire beer.
5
Otherwise, they will drink,
forget what is decreed,
and pervert justice for all the oppressed.
6
Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter.
7
Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more.
8
Speak up for those who have no voice,
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.
9
Speak up, judge righteously,
and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.
What should I say, my son?
What, son of my womb?
What, son of my vows?
3
Don't spend your energy on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings.
4
It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine
or for rulers to desire beer.
5
Otherwise, they will drink,
forget what is decreed,
and pervert justice for all the oppressed.
6
Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter.
7
Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more.
8
Speak up for those who have no voice,
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.
9
Speak up, judge righteously,
and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.
In Praise of a Capable Wife
10
Who can find a capable wife?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.
12
She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.
13
She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
14
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away.
15
She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her female servants.
16
She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings.
17
She draws on her strength
and reveals that her arms are strong.
18
She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night.
19
She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20
Her hands reach out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy.
21
She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed.
22
She makes her own bed coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23
Her husband is known at the city
•gates
,
where he sits among the elders of the land.
24
She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts to the merchants.
25
Strength and honor are her clothing,
and she can laugh at the time to come.
26
She opens her mouth with wisdom
and loving instruction is on her tongue.
27
She watches over the activities of her household
and is never idle.
28
Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
29
“Many women are capable,
but you surpass them all! ”
30
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who
•fears
the
Lord
will be praised.
31
Give her the reward of her labor,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
Who can find a capable wife?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.
12
She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.
13
She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
14
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away.
15
She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her female servants.
16
She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings.
17
She draws on her strength
and reveals that her arms are strong.
18
She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night.
19
She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20
Her hands reach out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy.
21
She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed.
22
She makes her own bed coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23
Her husband is known at the city
•gates
,
where he sits among the elders of the land.
24
She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts to the merchants.
25
Strength and honor are her clothing,
and she can laugh at the time to come.
26
She opens her mouth with wisdom
and loving instruction is on her tongue.
27
She watches over the activities of her household
and is never idle.
28
Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
29
“Many women are capable,
but you surpass them all! ”
30
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who
•fears
the
Lord
will be praised.
31
Give her the reward of her labor,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
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