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The key word in Proverbs is wisdom, “the ability to live life skillfully.” A godly life in an ungodly world, however, is no simple assignment. Proverbs provides God’s detailed instructions for His people to deal successfully with the practical affairs of everyday life: how to relate to God, parents, children, neighbors, and government. Solomon, the principal author, uses a combination of poetry, parables, pithy questions, short stories, and wise maxims to give in strikingly memorable form the common sense and divine perspective neces sary to handle life’s issues.
Because Solomon, the pinnacle of Israel’s wise men, was the principal contributor, the Hebrew title of this book is Mishle Shelomoh, “Proverbs of Solomon” (1:1 Paroimiai Salomontos, “Proverbs of Sol omon.” The Latin title Liber Proverbiorum, “Book of Proverbs,” combines the words pro “for” and verba “words” to describe the way the proverbs concen trate many words into a few. The rabbinical writings called Proverbs Sepher Hokhmah, “Book of Wisdom.”
1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
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 haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowinga of the wicked are sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.a
7The violence of the wicked will destroy them,a
Because they refuse to do justice.
8The way of a guilty man is perverse;a
But as for the pure, his work is right.
9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back,a strong wrath.
15It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.
19Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
21He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
24A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
25The desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishesa his way.
30There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the LORD.
1A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in common,
The LORD is the maker of them all.
3A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
But the simple pass on and are punished.
4By humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches and honor and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards his soul will be 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 rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,
And the rod of his anger will fail.
9He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
For he gives of his bread to the poor.
10Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave;
Yes, strife and reproach will cease.
11He who loves purity of heart
And has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend.
12The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge,
But He overthrows the words of the faithless.
13The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside!
I shall be slain in the streets!”
14The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;
He who is abhorred by the LORD will fall there.
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of correction will drive it far from him.
16He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,
And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.
Sayings of the Wise
17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your heart to my knowledge;
18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
Let them all be fixed upon your lips,
19So that your trust may be in the LORD;
I have instructed you today, even you.
20Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
21That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may answer words of truth
To those who send to you?
22Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
23For the LORD will plead their cause,
And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.
24Make no friendship with an angry man,
And with a furious man do not go,
25Lest you learn his ways
And set a snare for your soul.
26Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge,
One of those who is surety for debts;
27If you have nothing with which to pay,
Why should he take away your bed from under you?
28Do not remove the ancient landmark
Which your fathers have set.
29Do you see a man who excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown men.
1When you sit down to eat with a ruler,
Consider carefully what is before you;
2And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.
3Do not desire his delicacies,
For they are deceptive food.
4Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
5Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
6Do not eat the bread of a miser,a
Nor desire his delicacies;
7For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
“Eat and drink!” he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.
8The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up,
And waste your pleasant words.
9Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10Do not remove the ancient landmark,
Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;
11For their Redeemer is mighty;
He will plead their cause against you.
12Apply your heart to instruction,
And your ears to words of knowledge.
13Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
14You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell.a
15My son, if your heart is wise,
My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
16Yes, my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.
17Do not let your heart envy sinners,
But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
18For surely there is a hereafter,
And your hope will not be cut off.
19Hear, my son, and be wise;
And guide your heart in the way.
20Do not mix with winebibbers,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
21For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
22Listen to your father who begot you,
And do not despise your mother when she is old.
23Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
24The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
25Let your father and your mother be glad,
And let her who bore you rejoice.
26My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.
27For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.
28She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men.
29Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
30Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.
31Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;
32At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.
33Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.
34Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
35“They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”
1Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
2For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking.
3Through wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
4By knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
5A wise man is strong,
Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
6For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,
And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
7Wisdom is too lofty for a fool;
He does not open his mouth in the gate.
8He who plots to do evil
Will be called a schemer.
9The devising of foolishness is sin,
And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.
11Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
13My son, eat honey because it is good,
And the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste;
14So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul;
If you have found it, there is a prospect,
And your hope will not be cut off.
15Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;
Do not plunder his resting place;
16For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,
But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him,
And He turn away His wrath from him.
19Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the wicked;
20For there will be no prospect for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21My son, fear the LORD and the king;
Do not associate with those given to change;
22For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin those two can bring?
Further Sayings of the Wise
23These things also belong to the wise:
It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
24He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,”
Him the people will curse;
Nations will abhor him.
25But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.
26He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.
27Prepare your outside work,
Make it fit for yourself in the field;
And afterward build your house.
28Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
For would you deceivea with your lips?
29Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work.”
30I went by the field of the lazy man,
And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
31And there it was, all overgrown with thorns;
Its surface was covered with nettles;
Its stone wall was broken down.
32When I saw it, I considered it well;
I looked on it and received instruction:
33A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest;
34So shall your poverty come like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon
1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
5Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
7For it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
8Do not go hastily to court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
9Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
10Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And your reputation be ruined.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
13Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Whoever falsely boasts of giving
Is like clouds and wind without rain.
15By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
16Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
20Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.
23The north wind brings forth rain,
And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25As cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a far country.
26A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.
27It is not good to eat much honey;
So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.
28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.
1As snow in summer and rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,
So a curse without cause shall not alight.
3A whip for the horse,
A bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the fool’s back.
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7Like the legs of the lame that hang limp
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8Like one who binds a stone in a sling
Is he who gives honor to a fool.
9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10The great God who formed everything
Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.a
11As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.
12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!”
14As a door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy man on his bed.
15The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl;a
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19Is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, “I was only joking!”
20Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
23Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
24He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
25When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
26Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.
1Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.
3A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.
4Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,
But who is able to stand before jealousy?
5Open rebuke is better
Than love carefully concealed.
6Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb,
But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8Like a bird that wanders from its nest
Is a man who wanders from his place.
9Ointment and perfume delight the heart,
And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.
10Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend,
Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity;
Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
11My son, be wise, and make my heart glad,
That I may answer him who reproaches me.
12A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself;
The simple pass on and are punished.
13Take the garment of him who is surety for a stranger,
And hold it in pledge when he is surety for a seductress.
14He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,
It will be counted a curse to him.
15A continual dripping on a very rainy day
And a contentious woman are alike;
16Whoever restrains her restrains the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.
17As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
18Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit;
So he who waits on his master will be honored.
19As in water face reflects face,
So a man’s heart reveals the man.
20Hella and Destructionb are never full;
So the eyes of man are never satisfied.
21The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And a man is valued by what others say of him.
22Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain,
Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.
23Be diligent to know the state of your flocks,
And attend to your herds;
24For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
25When the hay is removed, and the tender grass shows itself,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
26The lambs will provide your clothing,
And the goats the price of a field;
27You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food,
For the food of your household,
And the nourishment of your maidservants.
1The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.
3A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all.
6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.
9One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.
10Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
But the blameless will inherit good.
11The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
12When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory;
But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.
13He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
14Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over poor people.
16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
17A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.
18Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
20A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
21To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.
22A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.
23He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.
24Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same is companion to a destroyer.
25He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.
26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
27He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.
28When the wicked arise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.
1He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
3Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
4The king establishes the land by justice,
But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5A man who flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.
6By transgression an evil man is snared,
But the righteous sings and rejoices.
7The righteous considers the cause of the poor,
But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
8Scoffers set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath.
9If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
10The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
But the upright seek his well-being.a
11A fool vents all his feelings,a
But a wise man holds them back.
12If a ruler pays attention to lies,
All his servants become wicked.
13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14The king who judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.
15The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.
17Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
18Where there is no revelation,a the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.
19A servant will not be corrected by mere words;
For though he understands, he will not respond.
20Do you see a man hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21He who pampers his servant from childhood
Will have him as a son in the end.
22An angry man stirs up strife,
And a furious man abounds in transgression.
23A man’s pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
24Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life;
He swears to tell the truth,a but reveals nothing.
25The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
26Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD.
27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
The Wisdom of Agur
1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal:
2Surely I am more stupid than any man,
And do not have the understanding of a man.
3I neither learned wisdom
Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.
4Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name,
If you know?
5Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
7Two things I request of You
(Deprive me not before I die):
8Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
9Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
10Do not malign a servant to his master,
Lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.
11There is a generation that curses its father,
And does not bless its mother.
12There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
13There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are lifted up.
14There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,
And whose fangs are like knives,
To devour the poor from off the earth,
And the needy from among men.
15The leech has two daughters—
Give and Give!
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four never say, “Enough!”:
16The grave,a
The barren womb,
The earth that is not satisfied with water—
And the fire never says, “Enough!”
17The eye that mocks his father,
And scorns obedience to his mother,
The ravens of the valley will pick it out,
And the young eagles will eat it.
18There are three things which are too wonderful for me,
Yes, four which I do not understand:
19The way of an eagle in the air,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the midst of the sea,
And the way of a man with a virgin.
20This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, “I have done no wickedness.”
21For three things the earth is perturbed,
Yes, for four it cannot bear up:
22For a servant when he reigns,
A fool when he is filled with food,
23A hateful woman when she is married,
And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress.
24There are four things which are little on the earth,
But they are exceedingly wise:
25The ants are a people not strong,
Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
26The rock badgersa are a feeble folk,
Yet they make their homes in the crags;
27The locusts have no king,
Yet they all advance in ranks;
28The spidera skillfully grasps with its hands,
And it is in kings’ palaces.
29There are three things which are majestic in pace,
Yes, four which are stately in walk:
30A lion, which is mighty among beasts
And does not turn away from any;
31A greyhound,a
A male goat also,
And a king whose troops are with him.b
32If you have been foolish in exalting yourself,
Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.
33For as the churning of milk produces butter,
And wringing the nose produces blood,
So the forcing of wrath produces strife.
The Words of King Lemuel’s Mother
1The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
2What, my son?
And what, son of my womb?
And what, son of my vows?
3Do not give your strength to women,
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
5Lest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
7Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.a
9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
The Virtuous Wife
10Whoa can find a virtuousb wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29“Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
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治人事天莫若嗇,
夫唯嗇, 是以早服, 早服, 謂之重積德, 重積德, 則無不克,
無不克, 則莫知其極, 莫知其極, 可以有國, 有國之母, 可以長久,
是謂深根固柢, 長生久視之道.
大道廢有仁義, 慧智出有大僞, 六親不和有孝慈, 國家昏亂有忠臣. 善爲士者不武, 善戰者不怒, 善勝敵者不與, 善用人者爲之下, 是謂不爭之德, 是謂用人之力, 是謂配天古之極. 天地不仁, 以萬物爲芻狗, 聖人不仁, 以百姓爲芻狗, 天地之間, 其猶橐龠乎, 虛而不屈, 動而愈出, 多言數窮, 不如守中. 信言不美, 美言不信, 善者不辯, 辯者不善, 知者不博, 博者不知, 聖人不積, 旣以爲人, 己愈有, 旣以與人, 己愈多, 天之道, 利而不害, 聖人之道, 爲而不爭. 其政悶悶, 其民淳淳, 其政察察, 其民缺缺, 禍兮福之所倚, 福兮禍之所伏, 孰知其極, 其無正, 正復爲奇, 善復爲妖, 人之迷, 其日固久, 是以聖人方而不割, 廉而不劌, 直而不肆, 光而不燿. 天地不仁, 以萬物爲芻狗, 聖人不仁, 以百姓爲芻狗, 天地之間, 其猶橐龠乎, 虛而不屈, 動而愈出, 多言數窮, 不如守中.
寵辱若驚, 貴大患若身,
何謂寵辱若驚,
寵爲下, 得之若驚, 失之若驚, 是謂寵辱若驚,
何謂貴大患若身,
吾所以有大患者, 爲吾有身,
及吾無身, 吾有何患,
故貴以身爲天下, 若可寄天下,
愛以身爲天下, 若可託天下.
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