Lessons for Daily Life1 My child, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt    or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger—2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement    and are caught by what you said—3 follow my advice and save yourself,    for you have placed yourself at your friend’s mercy.Now swallow your pride;    go and beg to have your name erased.4 Don’t put it off; do it now...  Read More

Avoid Immoral Women1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;    listen carefully to my wise counsel.2 Then you will show discernment,    and your lips will express what you’ve learned.3 For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,    and her mouth is smoother than oil.4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison,    as dangerous as a double-edged sword.5 Her feet go down to death;    her ste...  Read More

A Father’s Wise Advice1 My children, listen when your father corrects you.    Pay attention and learn good judgment,2 for I am giving you good guidance.    Don’t turn away from my instructions.3 For I, too, was once my father’s son,    tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.4 My father taught me,“Take my words to heart.    Follow my commands, and you will live.5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment...  Read More

23 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,    observe carefully what[a] is before you,2 and put a knife to your throat    if you are given to appetite.3 Do not desire his delicacies,    for they are deceptive food.4 Do not toil to acquire wealth;    be discerning enough to desist.5 When your eyes light on it, it is gone,    for suddenly it sprouts wings,    flying like an eagle toward heaven.6 Do n...  Read More

Trusting in the Lord1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you.    Store my commands in your heart.2 If you do this, you will live many years,    and your life will be satisfying.3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.    Write them deep within your heart.4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,    and you will earn a good repu...  Read More

The Benefits of Wisdom1 My child, listen to what I say,    and treasure my commands.2 Tune your ears to wisdom,    and concentrate on understanding.3 Cry out for insight,    and ask for understanding.4 Search for them as you would for silver;    seek them like hidden treasures.5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,    and you will gain knowledge of God.6 For the Lord grants wis...  Read More

The Words of King Lemuel’s Mother1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:2 What, my son?And what, son of my womb?And what, son of my vows?3 Do not give your strength to women,Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,It is not for kings to drink wine,Nor for princes intoxicating drink;5 Lest they drink and forget the law,And pervert th...  Read More

The Wisdom of Agur1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal:2 Surely I am more stupid than any man,And do not have the understanding of a man.3 I neither learned wisdomNor have knowledge of the Holy One.4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?Who has gathered the wind in His fists?Who has bound the waters in a garment?Who has establish...  Read More

Happy Is He Who Keeps the Law1 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.4 The king establishes the land by justice,But he who receives bribes over...  Read More

The Righteous Are Bold as a Lion1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,But the righteous are bold as a lion.2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;But by a man of understanding and knowledgeRight will be prolonged.3 A poor man who oppresses the poorIs like a driving rain which leaves no food.4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,But such as keep the law contend with ...  Read More

My Son, Be Wise1 Do not boast about tomorrow,For you do not know what a day may bring forth.2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;A stranger, and not your own lips.3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,But who is able to stand before jealousy?5 Open rebuke is betterThan love carefully concealed.6 F...  Read More

Honor Is Not Fitting for a Fool1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest,So honor is not fitting for a fool.2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,So a curse without cause shall not alight.3 A whip for the horse,A bridle for the donkey,And a rod for the fool’s back.4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,Lest you also be like him.5 Answer a fool according to his folly,Lest he be wise...  Read More