[1] Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; and whoever is led astray by
it is not wise. [2] The dread wrath of a king is like the growling of a
lion; he who provokes him to anger forfeits his life. [3] It is an honor
for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling. [4]
The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have
nothing. [5] The purpose in a man's mind is like deep water, but a man of
understanding will draw it out. [6] Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
but a faithful man who can find? [7] A righteous man who walks in his
integrity-- blessed are his sons after him! [8] A king who sits on the
throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. [9] Who can say, "I have
made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin"? [10] Diverse weights and
diverse measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD. [11] Even a
child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he does is pure and
right. [12] The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them
both. [13] Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and
you will have plenty of bread. [14] "It is bad, it is bad," says the buyer;
but when he goes away, then he boasts. [15] There is gold, and abundance of
costly stones; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. [16] Take a
man's garment when he has given surety for a stranger, and hold him in
pledge when he gives surety for foreigners. [17] Bread gained by deceit is
sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. [18] Plans
are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. [19] He who goes
about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with one who
speaks foolishly. [20] If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp
will be put out in utter darkness. [21] An inheritance gotten hastily in
the beginning will in the end not be blessed. [22] Do not say, "I will
repay evil"; wait for the LORD, and he will help you. [23] Diverse weights
are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good. [24] A man's
steps are ordered by the LORD; how then can man understand his way? [25] It
is a snare for a man to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after
making his vows. [26] A wise king winnows the wicked, and drives the wheel
over them. [27] The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all
his innermost parts. [28] Loyalty and faithfulness preserve the king, and
his throne is upheld by righteousness. [29] The glory of young men is their
strength, but the beauty of old men is their gray hair. [30] Blows that
wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.
