Proverbs 31

The Sayings of King Lemuel

1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.

2 O my son, O son of my womb,

O son of my vows,

3 do not waste your strength on women,

on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.

Rulers should not crave alcohol.

5 For if they drink, they may forget the law

and not give justice to the oppressed.

6 Alcohol is for the dying,

and wine for those in bitter distress.

7 Let them drink to forget their poverty

and remember their troubles no more.

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Proverbs 30

The Sayings of Agur

1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message.

I am weary, O God;

I am weary and worn out, O God.

2 I am too stupid to be human,

and I lack common sense.

3 I have not mastered human wisdom,

nor do I know the Holy One.

4 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down?

Who holds the wind in his fists?

Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?

Who has created the whole wide world?

What is his name—and his son’s name?

Tell me if you know!

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Proverbs 29

1 Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism

will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery.

2 When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.

But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

4 A just king gives stability to his nation,

but one who demands bribes destroys it.

5 To flatter friends

is to lay a trap for their feet.

6 Evil people are trapped by sin,

but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.

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Proverbs 28

1 The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,

but the godly are as bold as lions.

2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.

But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

3 A poor person who oppresses the poor

is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.

4 To reject the law is to praise the wicked;

to obey the law is to fight them.

5 Evil people don’t understand justice,

but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

6 Better to be poor and honest

than to be dishonest and rich.

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Proverbs 27

1 Don’t brag about tomorrow,

since you don’t know what the day will bring.

2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—

a stranger, not your own lips.

3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,

but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.

4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood,

but jealousy is even more dangerous.

5 An open rebuke

is better than hidden love!

6 Wounds from a sincere friend

are better than many kisses from an enemy.

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Proverbs 26

1 Honor is no more associated with fools

than snow with summer or rain with harvest.

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,

an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.

3 Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle,

and a fool with a rod to his back!

4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools,

or you will become as foolish as they are.

5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools,

or they will become wise in their own estimation.

6 Trusting a fool to convey a message

is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!

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Proverbs 25

More Proverbs of Solomon

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.

2 It is God’s privilege to conceal things

and the king’s privilege to discover them.

3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,

or all that goes on in the king’s mind!

4 Remove the impurities from silver,

and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.

5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court,

and his reign will be made secure by justice.

6 Don’t demand an audience with the king

or push for a place among the great.

7 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table

than to be sent away in public disgrace.

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Proverbs 24

1 Don’t envy evil people

or desire their company.

2 For their hearts plot violence,

and their words always stir up trouble.

3 A house is built by wisdom

and becomes strong through good sense.

4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled

with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.

5 The wise are mightier than the strong,

and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.

6 So don’t go to war without wise guidance;

victory depends on having many advisers.

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Proverbs 23

1 While dining with a ruler,

pay attention to what is put before you.

2 If you are a big eater,

put a knife to your throat;

3 don’t desire all the delicacies,

for he might be trying to trick you.

4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.

Be wise enough to know when to quit.

5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,

for it will sprout wings

and fly away like an eagle.

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Proverbs 22

1 Choose a good reputation over great riches;

being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

2 The rich and poor have this in common:

The Lord made them both.

3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.

The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

4 True humility and fear of the Lord

lead to riches, honor, and long life.

5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;

whoever values life will avoid it.

6 Direct your children onto the right path,

and when they are older, they will not leave it.

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