¹ Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
² A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
those who anger him forfeit their lives.
³ It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
⁴ Sluggards do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
⁵ The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
⁶ Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?
⁷ The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.
⁸ When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
⁹ Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?
¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures-
the Lord detests them both.
¹¹ Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure and upright?
¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see-
the Lord has made them both.
¹³ Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
¹⁴ “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer-
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
¹⁵ Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
¹⁶ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.
¹⁷ Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,
but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
¹⁸ Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
¹⁹ A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
²⁰ If someone curses their father or mother,
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.
²¹ An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
²² Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
²³ The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.
²⁴ A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand their own way?
²⁵ It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.
²⁶ A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.
²⁷ The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.
²⁸ Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.
²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.
³⁰ Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.