Proverbs of Solomon

Chapter 1

1 This book is the collection of wise sayings of Solomon who reigned over Israel and was the son of King David.
2 Solomon wrote down these wise words so that we could understand what wisdom is. He wanted us to learn how we should respond to proper corrections. This book was written so that we could understand the meaning which is hidden in the words of wise people.
3 Solomon collected these wise sayings which could help us work on our character and act wisely. Then we will be able to understand what righteousness, judgment and justice are.
4 If a simple person listens to the wise sayings, he will become smart. If a young person studies the wise sayings carefully, he will receive knowledge which will teach him how to make right decisions.
5 If a wise person pays attention to the words of wisdom, he will increase his knowledge. And if an educated person listens to wise sayings, he will find valuable advice in them.
6 The one who studies the wise sayings carefully will learn to understand those who speak with hidden meaning or irony. He will be able to understand what wise people mean.
7 The one who fears the Lord will begin to understand what wisdom is. Only fools despise wisdom and proper corrections.
8 My son, I am your father. So listen to me when I make you proper corrections. And do not resist when your mother teaches you the Law of God.
9 Pay attention to what your parents tell you. Then grace will shine over you like a crown and decorate you like a necklace.
10 My son, do not let sinners push you into sin.
11 They will persuade you, “Come with us! We will set a trap and wait in a hiding place. Then we will suddenly attack an innocent person and kill him for no reason.”
12 My son, the criminals will say, “Let’s send the living to hell and drop them down straight to the dead in the grave.”
13 The bandits will say, “We will steal all kinds of precious things and fill our houses with stolen things.”
14 The criminals will say, “Come on, and you will cast lots with us. You take what you win, and this way we will share stolen things among us.”
15 My son, do not join any gang, stay away from all criminals.
16 Remember that criminals are eager to do evil. And without any hesitation they commit murder.
17 None of the birds think that any of them will get caught in a net.
18 But bird catchers wait in a hiding place and trap birds to kill them.
19 The same will happen to the one who wants to steal other people’s things. These stolen things will take away the life of the criminal.
20 Wisdom speaks loudly to everyone in the street and in the public places.
21 She preaches everywhere people gather together. Wisdom speaks to those who enter the city and leave it through the gate.
22 And this is what she says, “How long will you, who have no knowledge, love your ignorance? How long will you, who offend others, insult and enjoy it? And how long will you, fools, hate knowledge?”
23 Wisdom says, “Listen to me when I correct you, and repent of your sins. Then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you what I know.
24 But when I called you, you did not listen. When I wanted to help and stretched out my hand to you, no one paid any attention to me.
25 You ignored all my advice and refused to change your life.
26 So when you face troubles, I will laugh. And when panic grips you, I will rejoice.
27 Horror will fall on you like a storm. And disaster will suddenly come to you like a hurricane. You will suffer and face difficult circumstances.
28 Then the fools will call me, but I will not hear them. They will look for me, but they will not find me.
29 It will happen to them because they hated knowledge. They refused to obey the Lord and began to live as if God does not exist.
30 They rejected all my advice. And when I corrected them, they treated me with contempt.
31 That is why they will eat bitter fruits which will grow in their lives. They wanted to harm others, but their plans would destroy their own lives.
32 Those who have no knowledge will rebel against wisdom, and it will lead them to death. Fools take life easy, and it will destroy them.
33 But the one who listens to me will not be afraid of evil. He will live safely and peacefully.”

Chapter 2

1 My son, remember my words and never forget the commandments which I told you about.
2 Listen carefully to what wisdom says. Learn to think and reflect.
3 Look for knowledge and develop your ability to think.
4 Seek knowledge as you would seek silver or treasure.
5 Then you will learn what the fear of the Lord is, and you will understand who God is.
6 The Lord gives wisdom. He speaks words which bring knowledge to a person and gives him understanding.
7 God gives success to those who act honestly. And He protects them with His shield.
8 The Lord guards all areas of life of those who act justly. He protects the way where His holy people walk.
9 My son, listen to me. Then you will understand what righteousness and justice are. You will learn to do what is just and make right choices.
10 Let wisdom fill your heart. And let your soul love knowledge.
11 Then you will become a person of understanding, and it will guard you. You will become intelligent, and it will protect you from evil.
12 If you become wise, you will choose the right direction in life. Wisdom will save you from a person who tells lies.
13 If you become a person of understanding, it will protect you from those who have chosen the wrong path in life and walk in the ways of darkness.
14 Wisdom will save you from those who do evil with joy and delight in immorality.
15 The one who lives an immoral life does not understand the consequences of his actions.
16 If a wife of another man speaks flattering and pleasant words, you must behave like a wise person so that she could not seduce you.
17 She got married when she was young. But now she has left her husband and broken the promise she made to him before God.
18 The one who enters the house of an immoral woman will perish and end up in grave.
19 The one who enters into the relationship with such a woman will not be able to stop and return to the right way of life.
20 Follow the example of those who do what is right. Live as those people who believe in God.
21 Remember that only those who believe in God will live in the land. And only those who act honestly will remain in it.
22 But the wicked will be destroyed in the land. And those who make evil plans will be completely removed.

Chapter 3

1 My son, do not forget the Law of God which I taught you. Let the commandments of God live in your heart.
2 Then your life will continue for many years. And you will live in complete peace and prosperity.
3 Show compassion and act according to the teaching of the truth. It will make your life beautiful like a precious necklace. Let compassion and truth be written in your heart like words engraved on a stone.
4 Then you will find favor in the eyes of God. And people will treat you with respect.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And do not rely on your own understanding.
6 In every situation make every effort to understand what God wants to do. And He will guide you step by step.
7 Do not think that you are smarter than everyone else. Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 Then your body and all your bones will become so strong that you will be healed of your diseases.
9 Dedicate to the Lord what belongs to you and serve Him. Bring Him the first fruits of the harvest and give Him a portion of your profit. This way, you will show your deep reverence to the Lord.
10 Then God will give you such a plentiful harvest that you will overfill your storehouses with grain. And you will have so many grapes that you will produce new wine in abundance.
11 My son, pay attention when the Lord shows your mistakes to you. And do not get angry when He corrects you.
12 The Lord disciplines the one He loves. He corrects a person as a father corrects his beloved son.
13 The one who began to act wisely and intelligently will live a blessed and happy life.
14 Wisdom will bring you more profit than silver. You will get more income from wisdom than from gold.
15 Wisdom costs more than precious stones. You cannot compare wisdom with any wealth you desire.
16 Wisdom holds long life in its right hand. Wisdom holds wealth and glory in its left hand.
17 How pleasant it is to walk on the paths of wisdom where every step brings peace and prosperity!
18 The one who searches for wisdom searches for the tree of life. Act wisely to live a blessed and happy life.
19 The Lord founded the earth with wisdom and spread out the heavens skillfully.
20 God knew how to create springs of water which started fountaining out of the ground. He created clouds so that dew could fall on the ground.
21 My son, think carefully before making a decision. Think soundly and act wisely.
22 It will bring life to your soul and decorate you like a precious necklace.
23 Then you will live in safety, and you will not go astray from the right path.
24 When you go to bed, you will not suffer from sleepless nights caused by fear. You will sleep peacefully and enjoy a sound sleep.
25 If evil people try to deceive you, do not be afraid and do not panic.
26 Trust in the Lord. And He will help you avoid the trap which the evil people set up for you.
27 If you have an opportunity to help a needy person, do not refuse to help him.
28 Do not delay your good deed until tomorrow if you can help your friend today.
29 Do not plan to do any evil to a person who lives peacefully near you.
30 There is no reason to become his enemy because he did not do you any harm.
31 Do not envy the success of a cruel person. And never act the way he does.
32 The Lord hates an immoral person. God communicates with those who believe in Him and who are eager to do what is right.
33 The Lord curses the house of the unbeliever who lives in sin. But He blesses the house of the believer who is eager to do what is right.
34 God will ridicule the one who ridicules Him. But the Lord will give His grace to the one who humbles himself before Him.
35 The one who acts wisely will earn good reputation. But the one who acts foolishly will bring shame to himself.

Chapter 4

1 My children, I am your father. So listen to me when I make you proper corrections. Pay attention to my words to gain understanding.
2 I taught you what is right, do not forget the Law of God.
3 When I was a child, I also had a father who loved me very much. And my mother treated me as her only son.
4 My father told me, “Let your heart remember my words. I teach you to keep the commandments so that you could live a happy life.
5 Look for wisdom to gain understanding. Do not forget about it and do not ignore my words.
6 Do not neglect what wisdom says, then it will guard you. Love acting wisely, then wisdom will protect you.
7 Look for wisdom because wisdom is the most important thing in life. Make every effort to learn how to act with understanding.
8 Treasure wisdom above anything else, and it will make you a great person. Become one with wisdom then people will treat you with respect.
9 Wisdom will put grace on your head like a garland. Wisdom will decorate you like a magnificent crown.”
10 My son, listen to me and do what I say. Then you will live long and happy life.
11 I teach you how to become wise. I tell you how to live in a right way.
12 When you start doing something, nothing will be able to stop you. And when you have to act quickly, you will not make a mistake.
13 Pay attention when someone makes you proper corrections, and do not ignore them. Correct yourself because it will bring success to your life.
14 Choose the right direction in life. And never act like a criminal or a wicked person.
15 If you started walking on the wrong way, stop and leave this way. And if someone tempts you to commit a crime, refuse to participate in it.
16 Criminals cannot sleep unless they do evil. They lose their sleep unless they harm someone.
17 Wicked people commit crimes to earn their living. They get drunk with wine and do cruel things.
18 The life of believers who are eager to do what is right is like the sun that rises at the dawn and shines brighter and brighter until the full light of day.
19 But the life of those who break the law is like darkness that is getting deeper and deeper until it is as dark as night. Such people cannot see where they are going to and do not know what they will stumble over.
20 My son, pay attention to my words. Listen to what I say.
21 You should read again and again what I wrote you so that my words may go deep into your heart.
22 The one who understands the meaning of my words will be completely healthy and live a happy life.
23 More than anything else pay attention to what fills your heart. Your heart is the source, and everything what happens in your life starts in your heart.
24 Do not tell lies or do not mislead others with your words.
25 Live in such a way that you could honestly look at other people’s eyes and do not look away in shame.
26 Think ahead about what you should do. Go in the right direction and do not doubt the way you choose.
27 Do not turn to the right or to the left. And do not go to places where others do evil.

Chapter 5

1 My son, pay attention to my words of knowledge and listen to my wise advice.
2 Then you will become a person of understanding and you will speak with competence.
3 The words of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey and as pleasant as fragrant oil.
4 And if she seduces you, you will not be able to escape the consequences. You will feel as bad as if you were poisoned. It will hurt you as if you were wounded with a sharp sword.
5 An immoral woman goes towards death, and step by step she comes closer to hell.
6 She does not think about the way she lives. And she does not care that she has no purpose in life.
7 So, my son, listen to me and do not forget what I say to you.
8 Stay away from an immoral woman and do not come close to the door of her house.
9 But if you enter into relationship with her, you will lose the respect of people, and your life will turn into torment.
10 Do not waste your life on such women. Otherwise, everything you earn, you will give away to them.
11 Disease will consume your body. You will lose your health, and you will suffer from pain.
12 Then you will say, “I should have listened to others when they corrected me. I should have paid attention to my conscience when it tried to stop me.
13 I would rather listen to those who taught me to do what is right. I would rather pay attention to the words of those who guided me to the way of truth.
14 And now everyone around me will see how quickly I ruined my life.”
15 Be faithful to your wife. Drink from your well which is always filled with fresh water.
16 Do not enter into relationship with women who offer themselves in the streets and public places. Do not drink dirty water from the sewerage.
17 You must belong to your wife only, and you must not have any other women.
18 Enjoy your wife who belongs to you since your youth. May she be the source of blessing for you.
19 Your wife is as tender as a loving deer. She is as beautiful as a graceful antelope. And you can always enjoy love in her arms.
20 My son, do not fall in love with an immoral woman. Why would you throw yourself into her arms?
21 The Lord can see all the actions of people. He pays attention to everything what a person does.
22 If someone does evil, he will suffer because of his actions. The person will destroy his own life with his crimes. And his sins will hold him tight like iron chains.
23 The wicked person will die because he did not want to change his life. He has gone astray from the right way, and he started doing many foolish things.

Chapter 6

1 My son, why did you promise to pay off your friend’s debts? Why did you take on the financial obligations of another person?
2 You drove yourself into a trap with your words when you agreed to pay off someone else’s debt.
3 My son, you have put yourself under the authority of another person. So listen to my advice. Go to your friend whom you promised to pay off his debt and kneel before him. Beg him until he releases you from the obligations you took upon yourself to pay off his debts.
4 Beg him all the evening and all the night until he agrees.
5 Save yourself from paying off someone else’s debt like a deer that runs away from a hunter. Free yourself like a bird trapped into a net.
6 You lazy person, go to the ant. Watch its actions and learn from it to behave wisely.
7 The ant has no director or leader. And nobody forces it to work.
8 But it works all summer to harvest and store food for the winter.
9 You lazy person, why do you get up so late? When will you wake up and get out of bed?
10 Stop lying and thinking, “It is okay if I sleep a little longer and take a nap. It is okay if I do nothing and rest a little bit.”
11 But if you are lazy, poverty will attack you like a robber. And all kinds of problems will strike you like a bandit.
12 A person who spreads lies acts in a disgusting and wicked way.
13 He reveals himself with his eye movements, the way he walks, and his gestures.
14 He hides evil in his heart. He is always ready to cause troubles for others to provoke a conflict.
15 So a disaster will unexpectedly fall on him. And he will be suddenly destroyed with no hope of recovery.
16 The Lord hates six things, His soul disgusts even seven things.
17 It is disgusting to Him when someone looks at others with despise. It is disgusting to God when people tell lies. He hates when someone murders an innocent person.
18 It is disgusting to the Lord when people conceive evil plans in their hearts. It is disgusting to Him when a person is eager to commit a crime.
19 God hates when someone gives false testimony. It is disgusting to Him when a person causes brothers to hate each other.
20 My son, keep the commandments which I told you about. And do not reject when your mother teaches you the Law of God.
21 If the commandments always live in your heart, they will decorate you all the time like a precious necklace.
22 When you start doing something, the commandments will help you make the right decisions. When you go to bed, they will protect you from anxious thoughts. And when you wake up, you will meditate on the commandments again.
23 The commandment will illuminate your path of life like a lamp. The Law of God will shine on your life like the sunshine. He who pays attention to proper corrections and improves himself will live a happy life.
24 An immoral woman will speak pleasant words to you. But if you keep the commandments, she will not be able to seduce you.
25 Do not get sexually aroused by the beauty of her body and do not get captivated by the beauty of her eyes. Do not let lustful desires fill your heart.
26 An immoral woman will make a man poor and leave him completely broke. And he who enters into the relationship with the wife of another person will pay for it with his own life.
27 If someone puts fire under his clothes, his clothes will be burned.
28 If someone walks on hot coals, he will burn his feet.
29 And if someone sleeps with another man’s wife, he will play with fire and will receive a punishment he deserves.
30 No one excuses a hungry thief when he steals to eat.
31 If people catch him, he will pay back seven times more than he stole. He will give everything he has to repay what he stole.
32 He who starts a love affair with a woman has no understanding. He who sleeps with another man’s wife will destroy himself.
33 People will beat him and put him to shame. And he will never be able to restore his reputation.
34 When a husband discovers that his wife betrayed him, he will be furious. A jealous husband will not spare the man who had a love affair with his wife. He will do anything to take revenge on his offender.
35 And if his offender tries to offer compensation, even the largest sum of money will not be able to calm down the angry husband.

Chapter 7

1 My son, do what I tell you. And do not forget the commandments which I taught you.
2 Do not break them, and you will live a happy life. Obey the Law of God because it is as vital as having good eyesight.
3 Keep the commandments, and it will make your life beautiful like precious rings. Let the commandments be written in your heart like words engraved on stone.
4 Turn to wisdom and say, “I love you as much as my sister.” Turn to understanding and say, “I appreciate you as much as my close friend.”
5 Then wisdom and understanding will protect you from an immoral woman. And she will not be able to seduce you with her pleasant words.
6 Once I was at home looking through the window bars.
7 I saw a group of foolish young people, and I noticed a thoughtless young man among them.
8 He crossed the square and walked up to the house of an immoral woman.
9 It was getting dark when the evening turned into the night and darkness.
10 Then a woman dressed provocatively approached the young man to seduce him.
11 She always behaves loudly and shamelessly. And she never stays home.
12 In the streets, squares, and at every corner she looks for those whom she could seduce.
13 She grabbed the young man and started kissing him. Without any shame she said to him,
14 “I fulfilled what I promised to God. Today I visited the temple where I made my peace offering to God. Now I have a lot of food at home left from the sacrifice.
15 So I went outside to find someone to celebrate with. And you are the one I was looking for.
16 I covered my bed with beautiful Egyptian blankets and decorated my bedroom with rugs.
17 I perfumed my bedroom with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Let’s go to my home! We will indulge and enjoy love until morning.
19 I am alone at home because my husband has gone on a long business trip.
20 He took a lot of money with him and promised to return home only at the end of the month.”
21 She enticed the young man with her pleasant words and seduced him with her soft lips.
22 And he immediately followed her like an ox that does not understand it is being led to the slaughter. He walked after her like a deer that does not realize it is being tricked into a trap.
23 Soon he will be shot like a deer. And he does not know that an arrow will pierce his heart. He is like a bird that throws itself into the nets not realizing that it will destroy it.
24 So, my son, listen to me and pay attention to what I am telling you.
25 Do not fall in love with an immoral woman. Do not give your heart to her and stay far away from her.
26 She caused a lot of grief and completely destroyed the lives of many strong men.
27 The one who enters the house of an immoral woman will start a journey on the path that will lead him to hell. The one who enters her bedroom will perish.

Chapter 8

1 Can you hear wisdom speaking loudly to people? Can you hear understanding calling out to everyone to come?
2 Wisdom stands on the hilltops, along the roads, and at the crossroads.
3 She speaks loudly to those who enter the city and those who leave it through the gate.
4 Wisdom says, “People, I call you to come to me! Listen to what I want to tell you.
5 You, who have no knowledge, learn to think intelligently. And you, fools, become wise.
6 Listen to me because I will talk about what is right and important.
7 I love speaking the truth, and I hate lies.
8 All my words are true. I never deceive nor mislead anyone.
9 A person of understanding will be able to comprehend everything I say. And the one who received knowledge will see that my words are true.
10 Listen carefully when I teach you. Appreciate it more than silver. Gain knowledge because it is better than pure gold.
11 Wisdom is more precious than jewels. You cannot compare wisdom with any wealth you desire.
12 I am wisdom. That is why I show understanding and sound judgement. And I have the fullness of knowledge.
13 I am wisdom. I hate when someone looks at others with pride and arrogance. It is disgusting to me when people commit crimes. I hate when someone tells lies to mislead others. So the one who fears the Lord must hate evil.
14 I give advice that bring success. I know how to make a person intelligent and strong.
15 I teach kings to govern their country well. I give wisdom to the government to make just laws.
16 I help governors, rulers, and judges of the earth lead their people in the right direction.
17 I am wisdom. I love those who love me. And the one who seeks me will find me.
18 I have riches, glory, and righteousness. I own a treasure that will never perish.
19 The one who is eager to find me will receive a reward better than the purest gold. I will give him a reward more precious than pure silver.
20 I do what is right and make just decisions.
21 Those who love wisdom will inherit wealth. And I will fill their homes with rich supplies.
22 The Lord had wisdom from the beginning, even before He created the world.
23 I am wisdom. I have existed from the beginning, even before God formed the earth.
24 I was born before God created bottomless oceans. I appeared before He filled the springs with water.
25 I was born before God made the mountains and the hills.
26 I was born before God created the earth, fields, and the very first dust of the Universe.
27 I was there when God spread out the heavens. I saw Him drawing the line of the horizon where the sky meets the bottomless depths of the ocean.
28 I was there when God filled the heavens with clouds. I saw what was happening deep under the earth when He filled underground springs with water.
29 I was there when God ordered the sea not to overflow its shores. I saw Him creating the inner structure of the earth.
30 I was with God, and I fulfilled His plans as an architect. Every day I brought joy to Him and all the time I laughed happily in His presence.
31 How excited I was when God created the earth and the first family!
32 People, listen to me. The one who acts wisely will live a blessed and happy life.
33 Listen to me when I make you proper corrections and do not neglect them. Then you will become wise.
34 The one who awaits to meet me at the gates of my house every day and who waits for me to come out of the door to listen to me will live a blessed and happy life.
35 I am wisdom. And the one who finds me will live a life which will bring joy to the Lord.
36 But the one who does not seek me will harm himself. The one who hates me loves death.”

Chapter 9

1 Wisdom built her house and installed seven stone columns there.
2 She prepared a lot of delicious food and drinks. She put her food on the table to celebrate.
3 Wisdom sent her helpers to go up to the highest places of the city to call the people,
4 “If you don’t have knowledge, come here!” Wisdom said to those who act foolishly,
5 “Come to me! Eat my bread and drink what I have prepared for you.
6 Stop doing foolish things. Learn to act intelligently to live a happy life.”
7 If you make a proper correction to the one who offends others with his rude jokes, he will insult you in return. And if you try to correct a wicked person, you will harm yourself and face troubles.
8 Do not make corrections to the one who offends others because he will become your enemy who will hate you. But if you correct a wise person, he will become your friend who will love you.
9 If you teach a wise person, he will become wiser. And if you give advice to the one who is eager to do what is right, he will listen to you.
10 The one who fears the Lord will begin to understand what wisdom is. And the one who is eager to know who the Holy God is will learn to act with understanding.
11 If you behave wisely, God will add many days and years to your life.
12 The one who acts wisely will become successful. But the one who mocks wisdom and behaves foolishly will destroy his life.
13 Foolishness is like a noisy and senseless woman who knows nothing at all.
14 She sits on the chair at the door of her house. She also goes up to the highest places of the city to reach out to people.
15 She calls those who pass by. She turns to those who go about their business to confuse them.
16 She tells them, “People, if you have no knowledge, come to me!” She speaks to those who act foolishly,
17 “Stealing is as good as a sweet drink. Cheating is as enjoyable as delicious food.”
18 The one who enters the house where the foolishness lives will perish. But a senseless person does not understand it. That is why he listens to foolish advice and goes straight to hell.

Chapter 10

1 This book is the collection of wise sayings of King Solomon. A son who acts wisely brings joy to his father. But a son who acts foolishly brings sorrow to his mother.
2 The one who gains wealth by illegal means will face troubles and put his life in mortal danger. But the one who acts honestly will live in safety.
3 If wicked people plan to ruin the life of a believer, the Lord will destroy these plans. God will take care of the person who believes in Him so that he would not suffer from hunger.
4 The one who loves being lazy will come to ruin. But the one who loves working will become rich.
5 A hardworking son gathers crops at harvest time. But a lazy one sleeps and brings shame to his family.
6 A believer who is eager to speak and do what is right will receive great blessings. But a wicked person who speaks about violence and acts cruelly will destroy his life.
7 When people think of a believer who was eager to do what was right, they bless his name. But when people mention the name of a wicked person, they feel disgusting.
8 A person whose heart is wise listens to the commandments and becomes successful. But a fool does not listen to anyone. He speaks nonsense and destroys his life.
9 The one who acts honestly will live in prosperity and complete peace. But the one who commits fraud will be caught and punished.
10 A person who has an intention to do evil sends secret signals with his eyes to his companions. But sooner or later he will say something foolish and be exposed.
11 When a believer who is eager to do what is right speaks, his words flow like a life-giving fountain. But when a wicked person speaks, he provokes violence and ruins the lives of others.
12 The one who is filled with hatred does not want to forgive and starts quarrels. But the one who is filled with love forgives offenses and resolves conflicts.
13 An intelligent person knows how to respond with wisdom to bring peace. But a fool answers in such a way that he gets beaten with a stick on his back.
14 A wise person speaks with competence and helps others resolve their problems. But a fool has no knowledge. And the one who listens to his advice will face troubles.
15 A rich person relies on his wealth like on a fortified fortress that protects him from troubles. But a poor person lives in poverty that ruins his life.
16 A believer earns his living in an honest way and achieves success in life. But a wicked person gains a lot of profit by illegal means and spends everything on sinful pleasures.
17 The one who pays attention when others make him proper corrections will succeed. But the one who does not want to admit his mistakes will live his life without purpose.
18 The one who flatters another person to hide his hatred is a liar. And the one who openly expresses his hatred and spreads slander is a fool.
19 A fool who speaks nonstop will say too much. But a person of understanding holds his tongue.
20 A believer meditates on what is right. And his words are as valuable as pure silver. But a wicked person indulges in sinful thoughts, and he is not able to teach others anything good.
21 The words of the believer who speaks with intelligence encourage many people. But a fool does not listen to wise words and destroys his life.
22 God’s blessing makes a person rich and does not bring any troubles.
23 A fool does not think about the consequences and commits a crime for fun. But a person of understanding acts wisely and does not break the law.
24 Whatever a believer dreams about will come to pass. And whatever a wicked person is afraid of will happen to him.
25 A sudden disaster which hits like a hurricane will completely ruin the life of the wicked. But a person who believes in everlasting God and is eager to do what is right will stand firm during trials.
26 Do not give any work to a lazy person. Otherwise, he will irritate you like vinegar which destroys teeth or like smoke which causes tears to flow.
27 If you fear the Lord, He will add many days and years to your life. But a wicked person will die before his time.
28 A believer who is eager to do what is right looks forward to seeing his dream come true. A wicked person also hopes for the best, but his dream will never come to pass.
29 The one who acts honestly and follows the Lord will be completely safe like in a fortified fortress. But the one who breaks the law can expect that he will be punished by the Lord.
30 The one who believes in God and is eager to do what is right will always live in complete safety. But the life of a wicked person will be completely destroyed.
31 When a believer speaks, his words are full of wisdom, and people listen to him with pleasure. But when a liar speaks, he spreads slander, and people tell him, “Let your tongue be cut off!”
32 The one who believes in God knows how to communicate with others kindly. But the wicked speaks with anger.

Chapter 11

1 God hates when a seller uses unbalanced scales to deceive a buyer. But God delights when people use accurate scales and earn their living honestly.
2 The one who acts with pride is foolish. Such a person will face troubles, and he will be ashamed. But the one who treats others with respect is wise.
3 The honest person is eager to do what is right in every situation. But the dishonest deceives when he has such an opportunity, and by his actions he ruins his life.
4 Wealth will not help a dishonest person on the day when he is condemned to death. But the one who is eager to do what is right will be justified and escape death.
5 The one who lives honestly will not face troubles. But a wicked person will get what he deserves according to his evil deeds.
6 A person who acts honestly will save himself from trouble. But a wicked person who is eager to harm others will suffer from his own actions.
7 A criminal lives in hope to fulfill his evil plans. But he will die and will not be able to do the evil he planned.
8 A believer who is eager to do what is right will not face troubles. But a wicked person will face troubles instead of him.
9 The one who does not believe in God will deceive another person with hypocrisy to destroy him by his words. But a believer who knows the truth and is eager to do what is right will not believe the flattery and will not be deceived.
10 The whole city rejoices when believers succeed and do good deeds. And when the wicked die, people also cannot hide their joy.
11 Believers bless their city to make it prosper. But the wicked curse their city and destroy it.
12 It is foolish to speak about others with despise. It is better to show wisdom and keep quiet.
13 Do not share confidential things with a person who loves gossiping, otherwise he will betray your secrets. Trust your secrets to a trustworthy person who will not share them with anyone.
14 If the leader of a country has few competent advisers, the country will have low standard of living. But if he has many wise advisers, the people will prosper.
15 The one who becomes a guarantor and promises to pay off another person’s debts will face troubles. But the one who is against taking on other people’s debts will protect himself from problems.
16 People will respect a kind woman who helps others. But a rich man who does not show compassion will never deserve any respect.
17 The one who does good will feel joy in his heart. But the one who treats others with cruelty will have health problems.
18 A wicked person will lose everything he gained by illegal means. But the one who earns his living in an honest way will always live in abundance.
19 A believer who is eager to do what is right will live a happy life. But the one who is eager to fulfill his evil plans is going towards his death.
20 Those people who indulge in immoral thoughts and live in sin are disgusting to the Lord. But the Lord delights in the ones who meditate on the right things and do what is right.
21 You can be sure that people who indulge in immorality will receive the punishment they deserve. And you can also be sure that the descendants of those who believe in God and are eager to do what is right will receive salvation.
22 If a woman is beautiful, but foolish, she is like a golden ring inserted into a pig’s nose.
23 A believer who is eager to do what is right hopes for the best, and his dreams will come true. A wicked person who commits crimes also hopes for the best, but he will face judgment.
24 One person shares generously with others and becomes richer. Another one saves all the time and becomes poorer.
25 The one who shares generously with the needy will prosper. And the one who gives water to the thirsty will also be given water.
26 People will curse the one who accumulates grain in his storehouse to sell it later when the price goes up. But people will bless the one who sells grain right away and does not inflate the price.
27 Good will come into the life of the one who does good to others. But evil will come into the life of the one who brings harm to others.
28 If a person relies on his wealth, his life is like dry leaves which fall from the trees in autumn. But if a person believes in the Lord and trusts in Him, his life is like young leaves which appear in spring.
29 The one who acts foolishly will ruin his family and waste everything he has. A fool will become a slave to the one who acts wisely.
30 The one who believes in God does good works. And his life is like a tree bearing fruit that gives life. Such a person acts wisely and attracts other people to himself.
31 As long as a believer lives on earth, he will receive what he deserves. And of course, the one who rejects God and lives in sin will receive what he deserves.

Chapter 12

1 The one who loves learning pays attention when others make him proper corrections. But a fool does not like learning and hates being corrected.
2 The Lord is kind to the one who does good. But He condemns the one who wants to harm others.
3 There will be no stability in the life of a person who does evil deeds. But the one who believes in God and is eager to do what is right will stand on a strong foundation.
4 If a wife does what is right, she will decorate her husband like a crown. But if she behaves in such a way that her husband feels ashamed, she causes him the same suffering as if his bones are in pain.
5 Believers meditate on how to act justly. But the wicked think of how to deceive others.
6 Criminals talk to each other about how to trap another person to kill him. But believers discuss how to save this person from death.
7 If a wicked person faces trouble, it will completely destroy his life. But if a believer encounters hardship, his family will go through it and stand firm.
8 People will speak well of a wise person. But a fool who indulges in immoral thoughts will be treated with contempt.
9 It is better to be a simple person who earns his living than to pretend to be a rich person who does not have enough money to buy food.
10 A believer shows kindness not only to people, but also to animals. But a wicked person has no compassion for anyone because his heart is cruel.
11 He who works on his land will live in abundance. But a fool who chases dreams and does not want to work will live in poverty.
12 A wicked person wants to take possession of what others have. But a believer who is eager to do what is right earns his own living and helps others.
13 A liar will suffer from his own words and face troubles. But a believer does not lie, so he will avoid troubles.
14 A person’s life depends on his words and deeds. The one who speaks and does what is right will live a happy life.
15 A fool thinks that he always does what is right, so he does not ask others for advice. But a wise person goes to those who can give him advice.
16 When a fool is insulted, he immediately shows his anger. But a person of understanding remains calm and does not respond to insult.
17 The one who loves acting honestly will speak truth in the court. But a dishonest person will tell lies and mislead the court.
18 A fool does not think before speaking, and he uses harsh words. He hurts another person as badly as with a sword. But the words of a wise person bring healing.
19 The time will show who was telling the truth and who was telling lies. Lies have a short life. But the truth will live forever.
20 The heart of a person who wants to provoke quarrel is filled with evil intentions. But the heart of a person who wants to bring peace is filled with joy.
21 Nothing bad will happen to a believer who is eager to do what is right. But the life of a wicked person will be full of troubles.
22 It is disgusting to God when someone tells lies. But He delights when a person speaks truth.
23 A wise person knows many things, but he does not say too much. A fool knows little, but he says a lot of foolish things.
24 The one who makes efforts to do his job well will be put in a leadership position. But the one who is lazy will be forced to work like a slave.
25 The one who worries all the time will have depression. But if you speak kind words to a person, it will bring peace and joy to him.
26 The one who believes in God and is eager to do what is right will help another person make right decisions. But the one who lives like a wicked person will lead others astray from the right path.
27 A lazy person is not able to complete anything. He does not appreciate what he has. So what he catches while hunting will rot. But a hardworking person appreciates what he earned, so he becomes richer.
28 The one who believes in God will do what is right and live a happy life. But the one who sins is going towards death.

Chapter 13

1 A wise son listens when his father makes him proper corrections. But a disobedient son does not pay attention when he is being corrected.
2 A person’s life depends on his words. The one who knows how to talk to others in a right way will achieve success. But the one who speaks evil words and harms others will suffer misfortune.
3 He who thinks before speaking will keep himself out of trouble. But he who does not think before speaking will destroy his life.
4 A lazy person dreams of getting rich, but he will become poor. But he who loves working will achieve everything he wants.
5 He who believes in God and is eager to do what is right hates lies. But a wicked person lies shamelessly, and this way he brings shame on himself.
6 A believer who is eager to do what is right will not go astray from the right path. But a sinner does evil which will destroy him.
7 There are people who have nothing. But they try to make such an impression as though they are rich. And there are also very wealthy people, but they behave in a simple way.
8 If there is a threat to a rich person, he can pay a ransom. But a poor person will never face such threats.
9 The life of a believer is filled with light and joy. But the life of a wicked person becomes darker like a dying out lamp.
10 A proud person does not ask anybody for advice. He provokes conflicts and breaks relationships with people. But he who consults with others receives wise advice and avoids quarrels.
11 He who does not work and gets rich quickly will waste his money quickly. But he who works hard will increase his savings little by little.
12 If a person’s hope is not fulfilled for a long time, his heart becomes depressed. But a fulfilled desire fills his heart with such joy as if he has eaten the fruit from the tree of life.
13 He who neglects the Word of God will destroy his life. But he who is afraid to break God’s commandments will succeed.
14 He who teaches others the Law of God acts wisely. He leads people to the source of life and saves them from mortal danger.
15 It is such a pleasure to talk to an intelligent and kind person. But no one wants to communicate with an evil person because he insults others.
16 A person of understanding acts with competence. But a fool has no knowledge, so he shows off his foolishness.
17 Do not rely on an irresponsible person because he will get you into trouble. But the one who fulfills his duties responsibly will help you find a way out of a difficult situation.
18 He who does not want to study will live in poverty, and people will neglect him. But he who loves gaining knowledge will achieve success and earn the respect of others.
19 A person rejoices with all his heart when his dreams come true. But a fool rejoices when he does evil.
20 The one who has fellowship with wise people will become wise. But the one who spends time in the company of fools will ruin his life.
21 Evil will chase the one who rejects God and lives in sin. But good will come to the one who believes in God and is eager to do what is right.
22 A kind person will leave an inheritance even to his grandchildren. But a sinner will lose his wealth, and it will go to a believer who is eager to do what is right.
23 Even a poor person can get abundant harvest on his field. But if there are unjust laws in the country, a poor person will not be able to get out of poverty.
24 He who does not punish his son destroys his son’s life. But he who loves his son disciplines and corrects him from his childhood.
25 A believer who is eager to do what is right will eat and get satisfied. But a wicked person will go hungry.

Chapter 14

1 A wise woman takes care of her family and sets up her home. But a foolish woman does not care about her household and brings ruin to her family.
2 The one who acts honestly fears the Lord. But the one who deceives others treats God with contempt.
3 A fool speaks with arrogance. He will suffer from his words as though he was beaten with a stick. But a wise person will not face troubles because he controls his tongue.
4 He who does not have oxen has no expenses to take care of them. But he who has oxen will be able to plow a lot of land and will reap a large harvest.
5 An honest person will tell the truth in the court. But a dishonest person will tell a lot of lies.
6 A fool mocks wisdom that is why he will never become wise. A person of understanding loves wisdom and gets knowledge easily.
7 A fool cannot teach you anything wise. So do not waste your time on him.
8 A person of knowledge understands what is the right thing to do so he makes a wise decision. But a fool thinks that he knows what to do so he will do a foolish thing.
9 Fools mock the one who repents of his sins. But believers approve when a person comes to God and leaves his sins.
10 No one can fully understand the sorrow of another person’s broken heart. And in the same way, no one can fully understand the joy of another person.
11 The house a wicked person will be destroyed. But the home of a believer who is eager to do what is right will be in an excellent condition.
12 There is a dangerous path which seems right from human point of view. But if a person chooses this path, it will lead him to death.
13 Even if a person looks joyful, his soul may hurt. And when he stops laughing, he will be left alone with his sufferings.
14 A person whose heart rejects God will receive what he deserved by his actions. And a believer who does what is good will also receive what he deserved.
15 A naive person believes everything he hears and makes foolish decisions. But a person of understanding thinks carefully about each situation before making a right choice.
16 A wise person is afraid of getting into troubles, so he stays away from evil. But a fool does not think about the consequences of his actions. He does evil and hopes that nothing bad will happen to him.
17 People can forgive a hot-tempered person who gets angry and does something foolish. But they will hate the one who harms others on purpose.
18 A fool does not like learning that is why he will inherit foolishness. But a wise person is eager to get knowledge which will decorate him like a crown.
19 The one who does evil will admit his defeat. He will seek the favor of the one who does good. The one who commits crimes and opposes God will come to the house of a believer to ask him for help.
20 Nobody likes a poor person. And even his closest relatives cannot hide their dislike for him. But a rich person has many friends.
21 The one who treats others with contempt when they ask him for help commits sin. But what joy and blessing receives the person who shows compassion and helps the needy!
22 He who plans to harm others has gone astray. But the one who walks on the right path thinks how to help others. Such a person will earn love and respect of people.
23 A hardworking person will succeed in everything he does and will live in abundance. But the one who only speaks and does nothing will live in poverty.
24 The one who acts wisely will be rewarded with riches. But the one who acts foolishly will receive nothing, but foolishness.
25 An honest person will speak the truth in court and save others from false accusations. But a dishonest person will tell many lies and destroy the innocent people.
26 The one who fears the Lord will trust Him completely in every situation. And God will hide the children of such a person in a safe place if his family faces danger.
27 He who fears the Lord will be filled with such strength as if he drinks from the source of life. Such a person will avoid situations which could lead him to death.
28 The larger the population of a country, the more powerful the king becomes. But if the population decreases, the power of the king weakens.
29 The more patience a person shows, the more wisdom he has. But the one who quickly loses his temper behaves foolishly.
30 If the heart of a person is filled with peace, his health will be good. But envy ruins health like a fatal disease that destroys the bones.
31 The one who treats the poor unjustly and makes himself rich at their expense insults their Creator. But the one who shows compassion and helps the poor brings glory to God.
32 When trouble comes, it will ruin the life of a wicked person. And he will receive what he deserves according to his evil deeds. But a believer who is eager to do what is right will trust in God even when his life is in mortal danger.
33 The heart of a wise person is filled with wisdom. And he knows how to give a wise answer to a fool.
34 A nation that believes in God and is eager to do what is right will make its country great. But a nation that lives in sin brings shame to its country.
35 A king will be pleased with a slave who does his work with competence. But the king will get angry at the one who does not do his job well.

Chapter 15

1 The one who knows how to respond gently when he is being insulted will be able to calm down another person who is overwhelmed with anger. But the one who insults in response will provoke even greater wrath in the irritated person.
2 When wise people speak, they share useful knowledge with others. But when fools speak, their words lack common sense.
3 The Lord can see everything what happens on the earth. He watches over those who do evil and those who do good.
4 Kind words fill a person with such strength, as if he has eaten the fruit from the tree of life. But evil words crush the spirit of a person.
5 He who ignores proper corrections of his father is foolish. But he who pays attention when his father corrects him is a person of understanding.
6 A believer earns his living honestly and purchases many expensive things for his home. But a wicked person gains a lot of profit by illegal means, and it only brings him problems.
7 If a person has a wise heart, he will share his knowledge with others. But if foolishness lives in a person’s heart, his words will lack common sense.
8 It is disgusting to the Lord when wicked people offer sacrifices to Him to win His favor. But God delights when believers who are eager to do what is right come to Him in prayer.
9 The way of life of a wicked person is disgusting to the Lord. But God delights in the one who chooses the right direction in life.
10 The one who turns away from the right way will be punished severely. And the one who hates when others correct him will die.
11 The Lord can see what is happening in hell and in the world where people go after death. And of course, He can see what is happening in the hearts of those who live on the earth.
12 A fool enjoys mocking others. And he dislikes those who make proper corrections to him. So he will never fellowship with wise people.
13 If a person’s heart is filled with joy, he will look happy. But if his heart is filled with pain, his spirit will be crushed, and he will look depressed.
14 The heart of a wise person looks for knowledge. But the heart of a fool is filled with foolishness, and what he says has no meaning.
15 If a person’s heart is filled with pain, every day he will feel unhappy and depressed. But the one whose heart is filled with joy will enjoy every day of his life.
16 It is better to have little income and fear the Lord than to gain a lot of wealth by illegal means and worry all the time.
17 It is better to eat a simple vegetable dish with loved ones than to eat the meat of a fattened ox with those whose hearts are filled with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered person starts a conflict, but a patient one stops it.
19 A lazy person does not like working. And his life is like a path overgrown with thorny weeds. But a believer likes working, and his life is like a well-made road.
20 A wise son treats his father with respect and brings him joy. But a foolish son treats his mother with contempt and upsets her.
21 A fool likes doing foolish things that is why he goes on the wrong path of life. But a person of understanding likes doing what is right that is why he goes in the right direction.
22 The one who does not discuss his plans with others will not be able to carry his plans out. But the one who listens to the advice of many competent people will be able to fulfill his plans.
23 What joy a person can experience when he says the right words at the right time to help someone else!
24 The life of a wise person is like a road which goes upward. He will not go astray from the right path and will not end up on the road which goes downward to hell.
25 The Lord will destroy the house of those who are proud and who treat a widow unjustly. God will protect the widow and her property.
26 The Lord hates when a wicked person thinks of how to do evil. But God delights when a believer thinks of how to do good and talks about it.
27 A greedy person takes bribes to get rich, but he will ruin his family. But the one who hates bribes will avoid troubles.
28 A believer thinks before speaking and responds calmly to another. But a wicked person does not think about the consequences of his words and shouts at people with anger.
29 Wicked people spend their lives far away from the Lord. But believers have close relationship with God. And when they come to Him in prayer, He listens to them.
30 A positive person can influence others and bring joy to their hearts. He encourages people and they gain new strength.
31 The one who wants to change his life should go to wise people and listen carefully to their teaching.
32 He who does not pay attention to proper corrections harms himself. But he who listens to corrections will become a wise person.
33 The one who fears the Lord will learn to act wisely. And the one who treats others without arrogance will earn the respect of people.

Chapter 16

1 A person makes plans in his heart. But the Lord wants to achieve His goals so He has the final word to say.
2 A person may think that everything he does is right. But the Lord knows the true motives of a man. And only God can judge if a person does what is right.
3 Commit to the Lord everything you do. Then you will be able to fulfill your plans.
4 Everything the Lord does has its purpose. He also has a plan for the one who rejects Him. Such a person will perish on the day when disaster comes upon him.
5 Anyone whose heart is filled with pride is disgusting to the Lord. An arrogant person will not be able to escape punishment.
6 If a person shows compassion and acts according to the teaching of the truth, God will cleanse him from his sin. The one who fears the Lord will do no evil.
7 When the Lord is pleased with the way you act, He will even make your enemies to live at peace with you.
8 It is better to have little income and live honestly than to gain a lot of profit by illegal means.
9 A person makes plans in his heart and thinks about what he should do. But it is the Lord who directs the life of a person.
10 The words of a king have authority that God gave him. That is why when a king judges others, he must make fair decisions.
11 The Lord wants sellers to use accurate scales and correct measuring cups. The Lord delights when all the weights in the seller’s bag match their weight.
12 A king must hate when the law is broken. If he acts with justice, it will make his authority even stronger.
13 A king wants to know the truth. That is why he appreciates the one who does not hide the truth from him.
14 If a king gets angry, he may pass a death sentence. But a wise person knows how to talk to the king to turn his anger into mercy.
15 If a king is in a good mood, he may pardon a person and grant him his life. As harvest depends on spring rain so the life of a person depends on the favor of a king.
16 Do your best to become wise because wisdom is much better than gold. Do your best to become a person of understanding because understanding is more precious than pure silver.
17 Believers live in such a way that they do not do evil. The one who is eager to do what is right will keep himself out of troubles.
18 Pride will destroy a person. The one who shows arrogance will suffer from his wrong actions.
19 It is better to be honest and live among the poor than to commit a crime and to be proud that you became rich with looted property along with other criminals.
20 The one who listens carefully to the commandments and acts wisely will succeed. And the one who trusts in the Lord will live a blessed and happy life.
21 The one whose heart is wise will earn a reputation of a person of understanding. A wise person knows how to win favor with others. He speaks thoughtfully, and his speech sounds convincing.
22 A wise person acquires knowledge with such joy as if he is drinking from a fountain that brings life. But a fool wants to learn nothing so do not waste your time on him.
23 If a person has a wise heart, he will speak with wisdom, and his words will sound convincing.
24 Kind words are as sweet as honey. They fill the soul with joy and bring healing.
25 There is a dangerous path which seems right from human point of view. But if a person chooses this path, it will lead him to death.
26 Everyone should earn his living. The one who does not work will starve.
27 A wicked person plans to do evil. His words are as dangerous as fire.
28 He who loves fighting creates conflict situations. And he who spreads gossip breaks good relationships between friends.
29 A person who has evil intentions will lead others astray from the right path. He will provoke people to do what is wrong.
30 He looks evil. He thinks over his wicked plans and commits crime with a grin.
31 A believer who is eager to do what is right will earn the respect of others and live long to the very gray hair.
32 A person who has great patience is better than the one who starts fighting bravely. And he who knows how to control himself is stronger than the one who conquers cities.
33 A person casts lots and hopes for good luck. But his fate is decided not by lot, but by the Lord.

Chapter 17

1 It is better to share a dry piece of bread with friendly people than to sit at a festive table with those who love arguing and quarreling.
2 A wise servant knows how to influence the wicked son of his master. So the servant will be able to receive a share of the inheritance along with all the sons of his master.
3 As fire tests silver and gold to purify them from impurities so the Lord tests the hearts of people to cleanse them from sin.
4 A wicked person willingly listens to those who provoke others to do evil. And a liar willingly listens to those who spread gossip.
5 The one who mocks poor people insults God who gave them life. The one who rejoices in the disaster of another person will not be able to escape punishment.
6 If children respect their parents, they will also respect their grandparents. And it will bring great joy to the elderly.
7 If a fool tries to speak like an intelligent person, it causes confusion. But if a respected person spreads lies, it puzzles even more.
8 The one who gives bribe thinks that it will help him succeed miraculously wherever he goes.
9 The one who wants to keep love and friendship will forgive others their mistakes. But the one who reminds of old offenses will destroy relationships and lose his friends.
10 One rebuke will have a better effect on a wise person than a hundred blows on a foolish person.
11 The one who stirs up hatred plans to do evil. An angel full of rage and anger will be sent against such a person.
12 How dangerous it is to meet a mother bear who is robbed of her cubs! But it is even more dangerous to deal with a fool who acts without thinking.
13 Do not harm those who do good to you. Otherwise, evil will settle in your house.
14 The one who starts quarreling is like a person who breaks a dam. It is better to avoid conflict than to deal with its consequences.
15 The Lord hates two things. It is disgusting to Him when a wicked person is justified and when an innocent person is accused.
16 A fool thinks that if he has a lot of money, it will solve his problems. But no money can help the one who does not seek wisdom.
17 A true friend will be with you in good times and bad. And your relatives will help you in the time of trouble.
18 How foolish is he who becomes a guarantor and promises to pay off the debts of another person!
19 The one who loves quarreling loves sinning. And the one who loves bragging will face troubles.
20 The one who plans to do evil will not succeed. And the one who spreads slander will face troubles.
21 Woe to those parents whose children act foolishly. A foolish son will not bring joy to his father.
22 If joy fills the heart of a person, it heals him like a medicine. But if the spirit of a person is broken and oppressed, he will feel sick and tired.
23 A corrupt judge secretly takes a bribe to make an unfair decision.
24 When a wise person learns something, he goes into every detail. But a fool gets distracted and cannot concentrate on anything.
25 A foolish son brings woe to his father and sorrow to his mother.
26 It is unfair when the innocent pay for the crimes of others. It is wrong when respected people are brought to the court for speaking the truth.
27 A wise person does not speak much. He thinks soundly and keeps calm in any situation.
28 When a fool is silent, he may look wise. As long as he keeps his mouth shut, he looks smart.

Chapter 18

1 A selfish person puts his own interests above the interests of others. He argues with those who give him good advice.
2 A fool does not like learning. He has no knowledge, but he likes defending his point of view.
3 People will treat a wicked person with contempt. He will earn a bad reputation and bring disgrace upon himself.
4 There is a deep meaning hidden in the words of a wise person. It is as deep as the deepest waters. When he speaks, his words flow like a rushing stream.
5 It is wrong when a judge justifies a criminal and sentences an innocent person.
6 The words of a fool lead to a quarrel that turns into a fight.
7 What a fool says ruins his life. He will face troubles and will be trapped by his own words.
8 If a person loves gossip, his heart is filled with slander. And he gets the same pleasure from gossip as from delicious food.
9 A lazy worker is no different from the one who intentionally causes harm to his employer.
10 The name of the Lord protects a believer like a strong fortress. The one who turns to God in the time of trouble will be safe.
11 But a rich person trusts in his wealth. He thinks that it protects him from disaster like high walls protect a fortified city.
12 The one who is proud will face troubles. But the one who treats others without contempt will earn respect.
13 Listen to another person before answering him. Otherwise, you will look foolish and get into an awkward situation.
14 If a person has a strong spirit, he will be able to fight the disease. But how to help the one who lost all hope and became broken hearted?
15 An intelligent person seeks knowledge with all his heart. He will become wise because he listens carefully when others teach him.
16 New opportunities will open up before a generous person, and he will meet influential people.
17 He who speaks first in the court seems to be right. But judge cannot make any decision until he hears both sides.
18 If influential people cannot agree with each other, their dispute may be resolved by drawing lots.
19 It is easier to conquer a fortified city than to restore relationships with an offended person. When people quarrel, they close their hearts as tightly as they close the gates of a strong fortress.
20 Words are like seeds that will bear fruits. A person’s heart will be filled with what he says. And his words will affect his whole life.
21 Words have power. They can bring both life and death. And what a person loves talking about will happen in his life.
22 The one who found a wife found his happiness and received a blessing from the Lord.
23 When a poor person asks a rich man for help, he may receive a rude refusal instead of help.
24 A person may have many unreliable friends. But a true friend becomes closer than a brother.

Chapter 19

1 How foolish is the one who tells lies to make money by illegal means! It is better to be poor, but honest.
2 If a person does not have knowledge, he will act thoughtlessly. He will face troubles because of his hasty decisions.
3 A person acts foolishly and destroys his own life. But in his heart he is angry with the Lord and blames Him for his failures.
4 If a person becomes rich, he will have many friends. But if he becomes poor, he will not have a single friend left.
5 The one who gives false testimony in the court will not be able to escape punishment. And the one who tells lies cannot save his life.
6 Many people want to please the one who has authority to earn his favor. And everyone wants to have good relationships with a person who can be useful to him.
7 All the relatives of a poor person dislike him. Moreover, his friends do not want to maintain any relationships with him. They ignore him, even if he just wants to talk to them.
8 The one who is eager to act wisely desires good for himself. And the one who shows understanding will live in prosperity.
9 The one who gives false testimony in the court will not be able to escape punishment. And the one who tells lies will perish.
10 A fool should not live in luxury. Moreover, a slave should not give orders to his master.
11 A person of understanding does not get angry, but he shows patience. People treat him with respect because he forgives them their mistakes and does not hold any offense against them.
12 When a king becomes angry, he is like a roaring lion, ready to tear apart anyone who approaches him. But when a king is in a good mood, he shows his favor to the one who comes to him. And his mercy is like life-giving dew that falls on the grass in the morning.
13 A foolish son brings a lot of troubles to his father. A grumbling wife irritates her husband like dripping water.
14 Parents can leave a house and wealth as an inheritance. But only the Lord can give a wise wife.
15 He who loves to be lazy loves to sleep. And the one who refuses to work will starve.
16 The one who keeps the commandments protects his life from evil. But the one who does not think about the consequences of his actions and behaves irresponsibly will perish.
17 The one who helps the poor lends to the Lord. God will not remain in debt, and He will reward such a person for his good deeds.
18 The one who corrects his son has hope that he will choose the right path in life. But the one who does not discipline his son will destroy his life.
19 The one who is hot-tempered should be responsible for the consequences of his actions. But if you help him escape responsibility, you will have to solve his problems all the time.
20 If you listen to advice and pay attention to proper corrections, you will learn to act wisely later.
21 A person can plan anything in his heart. But only what the Lord planned will come true.
22 It is better to be poor than to make money by illegal means. A poor person can help others and enjoy it.
23 The one who fears the Lord will live a happy life. He will be grateful to God for every day of his life, and evil will not come close to him.
24 A lazy person takes a spoon, but he is reluctant to lift it up to his mouth.
25 If you make proper correction to the one who acts disrespectfully, he will not listen to you. So he must be responsible for the consequences of his actions. Then even a simple person will learn a lesson to act with understanding. But if you make proper correction to a wise person, he will understand that he should correct his behavior.
26 Shame and disgrace to the son who ruins his father and chases his mother out of the house.
27 My son, if you stop paying attention to proper corrections, you will begin to make foolish mistakes.
28 When a witness gives false testimony, the court turns into mockery. And when a criminal speaks, he tells skillful lies.
29 A criminal will not be able to escape judgment. And a fool will not be able to escape being beaten.

Chapter 20

1 The one who drinks wine will make a fool of himself. The one who loves strong drinks will get into fights. People who are addicted to alcohol will do foolish things.
2 When a king is full of anger, he is like a roaring lion. The one who provokes the wrath of a king may lose his life.
3 Any fool can stir up a quarrel. But the one who knows how to resolve conflicts is worthy of respect.
4 A lazy person will not plow the land to plant seeds. He waits in vain for a harvest from a field where he planted nothing.
5 The thoughts of a person contain such depth that they could be compared to deep waters. And a wise person knows how to express his thoughts so that others could understand him.
6 A person could have many people around him who call themselves his friends. But how difficult it is to find a true friend who will never fail you!
7 If a believer is eager to do what is right, his children will live a blessed and happy life.
8 How terrifying it is for a criminal to look at the king when the king passes judgment on him!
9 Who would dare to say, “I cleansed my heart and got rid of sin?”
10 The Lord hates when sellers use inaccurate scales and wrong measuring cups to deceive others.
11 Observe the behavior of a child. If his parents raised him up in a right way, he will act honestly.
12 The Lord gave people the ability to see and hear so that they could learn wisdom.
13 The one who loves sleeping will become poor. But the one who works despite being tired will have all he needs for life.
14 In the beginning, the buyer complains about the quality of a product to bring the price down. But later he boasts to others that he was able to buy a great product at a good price.
15 Words spoken with competence are of greater value than precious stones. They are more valuable than gold and many jewels.
16 If you promised to pay off the debts of another person, but you failed to do so, the creditors will take all your possessions. You will not even have clothes left.
17 The one who loves making money by illegal means enjoys it like people enjoy delicious food. But later he will feel like a person who is vomiting because he has eaten dirt.
18 You will be able to achieve your goal if you consult with competent people. Do not rush into battle without a plan, otherwise you will be defeated.
19 The one who spreads gossips does not know how to keep secrets. Do not fellowship with the one who talks too much.
20 The life of a person who insults his father and mother will be like a lamp that will stop shining in complete darkness.
21 The sooner a person receives his inheritance, the less benefit and blessing it will bring him in the future.
22 Do not say to the person who wronged you, “I will do to you what you did to me.” Give this situation into the hands of the Lord, and He will protect you from evil.
23 The Lord hates when sellers deceive buyers and use the weights that do not match their weight. Inaccurate scales will not do you any good.
24 The Lord determines the direction of a person’s life. And no one knows what will happen to him in the future.
25 Think carefully before promising anything. Otherwise, you may suffer from your own words.
26 As people use a threshing wheel to separate the husk from the grain so a wise king removes wicked people from his presence.
27 The Lord turns on the light in a person’s spirit so that a person could see what is going on in the depths of his heart.
28 If a king shows compassion and acts according to the teaching of the truth, it will protect him from evil. And if the king takes care of his people, he will rule the country for a long time.
29 Young people are known for their strength. But elderly people who have lived to the very gray hair are known for their wisdom.
30 The one who does evil will have bruises on his face. Such a person will not give up his wicked plans until he is beaten.

Chapter 21

1 If the Lord wants, He can change the direction of a raging river. And He can also change the direction of king’s thoughts because God holds king’s heart in His hand.
2 A person may think that he always does what is right. But the Lord knows the true motives of a person’s heart. And only God can judge if a person acts in a right way.
3 The Lord delights when a person makes right decisions and acts justly. But the one who chooses wrong path in life and brings sacrifices to God to win His favor will not be able to please the Lord.
4 The one who lives in sin and does evil deeds looks at others with arrogance because his heart is filled with pride.
5 The one who loves working does his best to do his work with excellence. So he will live in abundance. But the one who works carelessly and is in a hurry to finish his work as soon as possible will live in poverty.
6 If a person tells lies to get rich, it will lead him to death. And his wealth will completely disappear.
7 The one who refuses to act justly and treats others with cruelty will also suffer from cruel treatment towards himself.
8 A person who committed a crime will deceive others. But an innocent person will behave honestly.
9 It is better to live on the edge of a roof than in a spacious house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 A wicked person loves doing evil. So he is unable to show compassion even to his friend.
11 If you make proper correction to the one who acts disrespectfully, he will not listen to you. So he must be held accountable for the consequences of his actions. Then even simple person will learn a lesson to act with understanding. And the one who acts with understanding will learn joyfully to become even wiser.
12 God can see what a wicked person does behind the closed doors of his house. The Lord is just, so a wicked person will not be able to escape disaster.
13 Do not ignore a poor person when he begs you for help. Otherwise, when you find yourself in a difficult situation, no one will help you either.
14 If someone is angry and furious with you, show your generosity to make peace with this person. You should meet him privately and bring him something as a gift.
15 When people do justice, the believer rejoices because he is eager to do what is right. But the one who breaks the law is afraid when justice is done.
16 The one who goes astray from the right path will perish and end up in the grave.
17 The one who likes entertainment will become poor. The one who loves spending money on alcohol and pleasures will not get rich.
18 If a wicked person wants to harm a believer, he will suffer instead of the believer. And if a liar wants to accuse an honest person, he will suffer instead of the honest one.
19 It is better to settle down in a desert than to live with an angry and quarrelsome wife.
20 There are valuable things and provisions of food in the house of a wise person. But a fool spends without any purpose everything he earns.
21 The one who acts honestly and does good to others will live a happy life. People will treat such a person in a good way and will show him respect.
22 A wise person will be able to conquer a city which is defended by well-armed men. He knows how to break down the walls around the city which seem impossible to break.
23 The one who thinks before saying something and does not speak too much will save himself from troubles.
24 The one who shows arrogance and puts other people down will do evil without any shame.
25 A lazy person does not want to work, so his dreams will never come true. He would rather die of hunger than go to work.
26 A greedy person always lacks something, so he never helps the needy. But a believer generously shares with others whatever he has.
27 God hates when wicked people offer sacrifices to Him to win His favor. And the Lord especially hates when they do it before committing a crime.
28 A dishonest person who gives false testimony in the court will not be able to escape punishment. But an honest person who always speaks the truth will tell the court what he knows.
29 A wicked person behaves shamelessly and does not think about the consequences of his actions. But a believer is eager to do what is right so he thinks before doing something.
30 There is no such wise and intelligent person who could stop the Lord from fulfilling His plans.
31 When a person prepares his horse for the day of battle, he does his best to win. But the victory comes from the Lord.

Chapter 22

1 It is better to have good name than great wealth. Good reputation is more valuable than silver and gold.
2 What can a rich person and a poor person have in common? The Lord created them both and gave them life.
3 A person of understanding foresees danger and takes precautions. But a careless person ignores danger and faces troubles.
4 The one who humbles himself before the Lord and fears Him will gain wealth. He will become a respected person and live a happy life.
5 The one who plans to do evil will suffer from his own actions. He will face troubles that will hurt him like thorns. He will have such problems that will catch him like a net. But the one who is eager to do what is right will save himself from troubles.
6 If you raise up your child in a right way since his childhood, he will not turn away from the right path until the end of his life.
7 The rich have power over the poor. And the one who borrows will obey his creditor like a slave.
8 The one who gets angry and plants the seeds of injustice will reap the harvest of disaster and lose his authority.
9 The one who shows compassion to the poor and feeds those who need food will be blessed.
10 When you quit fellowship with the one who offends others, you will stop arguing, quarreling and insulting.
11 If a person has a sincere heart, and is pleasant to talk to, the king will draw him closer.
12 The Lord watches over His Word to be fulfilled. He will destroy the plans of those who do not believe in Him and speak against His truth.
13 A lazy person always makes excuses. He says, “There is a lion roaming through the city, so I cannot go to work. If I step outside, the lion will tear me apart in the middle of the square!”
14 The one who spends time with an immoral woman stands on the edge of a steep cliff and invites the wrath of the Lord on himself. The one who will enter into the relationship with her will fall from this cliff.
15 If a child does not understand corrections and continues to behave in a wrong way, physical discipline will teach him to do what is right.
16 The one who treats the poor unjustly to get rich will lose his wealth. And the one who shows his generosity to the rich to win their favor will become poor.
17 Listen carefully to those who speak with wisdom. And remember what I teach you. Let it remain in your heart forever.
18 Do not forget my words. Then you will speak with wisdom, and it will bring you joy.
19 Remember what I teach you. Every day you should trust the Lord.
20 I have already written you thirty advice on how to act in a right way.
21 I taught you according to the teaching of the truth. And I want you to speak the words of truth to those who come to you for advice.
22 Poor people are not able to defend themselves, so do not bring them to ruin to get rich. And despite their poverty show them justice in the court.
23 Remember that the Lord will defend them and take the life of the one who robs the poor.
24 Do not make friendship with the one who gets angry easily. Do not have fellowship with a hot-tempered person.
25 Otherwise, you will become as short-tempered as he is, and this habit will ruin your life.
26 Do not agree to pay off another person’s debts and do not take his financial obligations on yourself.
27 If you promise to pay off his debts, but you will fail, the creditors will take all your possessions. You will not even have a bed left.
28 Do not move the boundaries of a land which your fathers set up long ago.
29 Do you know a person who is excellent at his business? He will serve kings, and he will not work for ordinary people.

Chapter 23

1 If an influential person invites you to dinner to discuss something with you, be careful and do not eat everything you see.
2 Control yourself, even if you love eating.
3 Pay no attention to the delicious food that he will put in front of you. Instead, listen carefully to him so that he would not be able to deceive you and involve you in a dangerous business that promises to bring a quick profit.
4 Do not run after wealth. Be wise and refuse to participate in a risky business.
5 Otherwise, your wealth will disappear in the blink of an eye. Like an eagle, it will flap its wings and fly into the sky.
6 If a greedy person invites you to dinner, refuse to visit him. And it does not matter what kind of delicious food he will offer you.
7 The thoughts that fill the soul of a person show who he really is. So if you come to visit a greedy person, he will tell you, “Eat and drink.” But in his heart he will count the cost of every piece you will eat.
8 When you feel his attitude, you will feel sick from what you ate. And you will regret that you thanked him for his delicious food.
9 Do not give wise advice to a fool because he will treat them with contempt.
10 Do not move the boundary of a land that was established long ago. And do not seize the land that belongs to orphans.
11 The one who offends orphans will deal with the Almighty God who will defend them.
12 Pay attention when people make you proper corrections. And do not be distracted when others teach you wise things.
13 Correct your child and do not allow him to do whatever he wants. If you use physical discipline, it will not harm him.
14 Instead, it will benefit him. You discipline him to save his soul from hell.
15 My son, if your heart is filled with wisdom, I will rejoice with all of my heart.
16 And I will be very happy for you when you say what is right.
17 Your heart should not envy the success of those who live in sin. All the days of your life you must fear the Lord with all of your heart.
18 There is a bright future waiting for you. So in every situation do not lose your hope in the Lord.
19 My son, listen to me and begin to act wisely. With all your heart do your best to choose right direction in life.
20 Do not spend time in the company of those who drink alcohol and eat too much meat.
21 Such people are interested in nothing, but alcohol and food. They sleep too much, so they will become poor and their clothes will turn into rags.
22 Listen to your father because he gave you life. And do not neglect your mother when she is old.
23 If you understood what the truth is, do not betray it for any amount of money. Pay attention when someone makes you proper corrections. It does not matter what the cost is behave in a wise and reasonable way in every situation.
24 How pleasant and joyful it is for a father to have a wise son who believes in God and is eager to do what is right!
25 So behave wisely and you will bring joy to your father. And your mother will be happy that she gave birth to such a wonderful son.
26 My son, I want to know what is going on in your heart. Pay attention to how I live and take an example from me.
27 Do not enter into the relationship with an immoral woman because it is as dangerous as falling from a steep cliff. Do not sleep with a wife of another man. Otherwise, you will get into such serious problems that it will be as difficult for you to get out from them as from a narrow well.
28 An immoral woman behaves like a robber who ruins other families. She looks for those who can be seduced. And many men enter into the relationship with her and become unfaithful to their wives.
29 Who weeps in sorrow and who is depressed? Who starts quarrels and who complains about life? Who gets hurt in foolish fights? And who has bloodshot eyes?
30 This is what the one who loves drinking wine looks like. This is what the one who is always eager to try new alcoholic drinks lives like.
31 Do not be captivated by the beautiful sparkle of wine as it is poured into glasses.
32 But if you start drinking, later on you will feel as bad as though a snake has bitten you or a viper has stung you.
33 You will have strange hallucinations. You will not be able to think clearly and will talk about immoral things.
34 When you fall asleep, you will feel as if you were climbing the mast of a ship in a stormy sea.
35 And when you wake up, you will say, “People beat me, but I did not feel any pain. They pushed me, but I felt nothing. Now I need to get drunk again.”

Chapter 24

1 Do not envy the success of those who do evil. Avoid spending time with such people.
2 They plan to commit violent crimes and talk about how to cause troubles to others.
3 The one who wants to build a house should have wisdom. The one who wants to improve his house must have professional skills.
4 And when the house is built, people who understand design buy all kinds of valuable and beautiful things to make their house cozy.
5 The one who becomes wise becomes strong. And the one who continues to get knowledge will become even stronger.
6 So before you begin the battle, you should go to knowledgeable people to plan your actions. You will be able to win if you listen to the advice of experienced people.
7 Wisdom is too deep for a fool. So when wise people discuss important things, a fool does not understand what the conversation is about, and he keeps silent.
8 The one who makes plans to harm others will earn reputation of a wicked person.
9 The one who plans to do something foolish has planned to commit sin. And the one who treats others with contempt will be hated.
10 The way you behave in the time of troubles shows how strong you are. If you give up quickly and lose your heart when things go wrong, you will not have enough strength to overcome.
11 Rescue those who are close to death, and help those who are doomed to die.
12 Do not ignore their cries for help and do not say, “It is none of my business!” The Lord can see what is happening in your heart. He watches the way you act. Remember that everyone will receive from God what he deserves according to his deeds.
13 My son, you love eating honeycomb because it is delicious and good for health.
14 Learn to act wisely. And it will bring your soul the same pleasure as eating honeycomb. If you become wise, you will have a great future and your dreams will come true.
15 Do not act like a wicked person who watches over a house where a believer lives peacefully. Do not make any plans to break into his house and loot it.
16 A believer may face troubles seven times, but he will always be able to solve all his problems. But a wicked person who harms a believer will be destroyed by disaster.
17 Do not rejoice when something bad happens to your enemy. And do not be glad in your heart when disaster happens to your adversary.
18 If you rejoice at another person’s troubles, the Lord will see it. He will not be pleased with what is happening in your heart, and He will stop pouring out His wrath on your enemy.
19 Do not get angry if someone harmed you. And do not envy the success of evil people.
20 There will be nothing good in the future of the one who does evil. The life of a wicked person will fade away like a lamp that is dying out.
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king. Have nothing to do with those who go against God and raise a rebellion to overthrow the government.
22 Otherwise, disaster will suddenly happen to the one who does not fear the Lord and the king. No one knows how the Lord will punish the rebels, and how the king will deal with the rioters.
23 Here is one more wise saying. It is wrong if a judge shows favoritism to some person and makes unfair decisions.
24 The one who tells a criminal that he is right will be cursed by nations and hated by tribes.
25 But if a judge gives a just sentence to a guilty person, a judge will earn good reputation and receive a blessing from God.
26 A true friend loves so sincerely that when he tells the truth, it is as pleasant as a friendly kiss.
27 First, complete all your business outside your home and finish your work in the fields. If you see that you are able to earn your living, you can start building or improving your house.
28 Do not give false testimony against an innocent person in the court. Don’t you understand that lying will not do you any good?
29 If someone harmed you, do not try to take revenge on him. Do not say, “I will do to this person what he did to me.”
30 I passed by the field of a lazy person. I walked past the vineyard that belonged to a fool.
31 I noticed that the field and the vineyard were overgrown with thorns and weeds, and the stone fence was in ruins.
32 Then I began to meditate on what I have seen. And this is the conclusion I came to.
33 You can stay in bed and think, “It is okay if I sleep a little longer and take a nap. It is okay if I do nothing and rest a little bit.”
34 But if you are lazy, poverty will attack you like a robber. And all kinds of problems will strike you like an armed bandit.

Chapter 25

1 Here are more wise sayings of king Solomon that the servants of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, collected and wrote down.
2 Everything God does is covered with mystery, and it is beyond human understanding. So people admire the works of God. And they also admire kings who seek to understand God’s mysteries.
3 No one can measure the height of the sky and the depth of the earth. The same way no one can understand what is going on in the heart of a king.
4 Remove the impurity from silver then a master will be able to make an expensive vessel.
5 Drive out a wicked from the presence of a king. Then a king will be able to pass just laws that will make his authority strong.
6 Do not be arrogant in the presence of a king. And also do not take the place that is prepared for a respected person.
7 Otherwise, you will be greatly embarrassed when you are asked to move to another seat in his presence. But if you take a usual seat, and then you will be invited to a place of honor, you will be greatly pleased.
8 Do not rush to go to court. Otherwise, what will you do if you are proved to be wrong and lose to your opponent shamefully at the end?
9 If you defend your case in the court, say only what is relevant to your case and do not open the secrets of other people.
10 Otherwise, the one who entrusted you with his secrets will hear your words and express his displeasure to you. You will not be able to restore your reputation, and people will stop trusting you.
11 A skillful jeweler knows how to make golden apples and decorate them with silver ornaments. And a skillful speaker knows how to say the right words at the right time.
12 Listen carefully to the proper corrections of a wise person. His advice is more precious than gold earrings and pure gold jewelry.
13 As it is pleasant to drink cold water at harvest time so it is pleasant to deal with someone who does exactly what he is asked to do. The one who hires such a person will always be satisfied.
14 No one likes it when on a hot day the wind carries clouds across the sky, but the clouds do not bring any rain. And the same way no one likes it when a person promises to show generosity, but he does not keep his word.
15 If you want an influential person to be on your side, explain to him your point of view with patience. A person who is pleasant to talk to will achieve his goal because soft tongue breaks hard bone.
16 If you find honey, do not eat too much. Otherwise, you will overeat and throw up.
17 Do not visit your friend’s home too often. Otherwise, he will get tired of you, and you will feel that he dislikes you.
18 The one who gives false testimony in the court puts the life of an innocent person in mortal danger. False accusations hit like a club. They pierce like a sword and hurt like a sharp arrow.
19 If you rely on an irresponsible person in the time of troubles, it will hurt you as much as chewing with a broken tooth or stepping on a lame foot.
20 If a person is in trouble, do not sing joyful songs to him. It is as inappropriate as taking off your clothes on a cold day. It hurts as much as pouring vinegar on a wound.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread. If he is thirsty, give him water.
22 This way you will make your adversary burn with shame as if burning coals were poured on his head. And the Lord will reward you for doing good to your enemy.
23 If the north wind starts blowing, it will bring clouds, and it will rain. And if someone starts spreading gossip, he will sow hostility, and people will look at each other with anger.
24 It is better to live on the edge of a roof than in a spacious house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Good news from the loved ones who live in another country is as pleasant as cold water for a very thirsty person.
26 If a believer turns away from the truth and acts like a wicked person, he becomes like a muddy spring or a polluted well.
27 The one who eats too much honey will feel like vomiting. And people will be disgusted with the one who praises himself all the time.
28 The one who does not know how to discipline himself is like a ruined city with broken-down walls.

Chapter 26

1 It is frustrating when it snows in summer and when it rains during harvest. And it is also frustrating when people honor a fool.
2 No one is afraid of fearful birds. And you also should not be afraid if someone curses you, though you did not do any evil. An undeserved curse will not come true. It will flutter like a sparrow and fly away like a swallow.
3 As people direct a horse with a whip and stop a donkey with a bridle so people beat the back of a fool with a stick to make him do his work.
4 If a fool asks you a foolish question, do not give him a foolish answer. Otherwise, you will make yourself look foolish.
5 If a fool asks you a foolish question, answer him in such a way that he would look foolish and would not consider himself a wise person.
6 Do not ask a fool to convey your words to others. Otherwise, your legs will start trembling when you find out that you got into a serious trouble because of him.
7 As it is difficult for a lame person to walk so it is hard for a fool to teach others something wise.
8 As it is useless to shoot with a broken weapon so it is useless to honor a fool.
9 If a fool tries to say something wise, he looks as ridiculous as a drunkard who swings a thorny branch and hurts himself.
10 An authoritative person tends to act recklessly. He may hire a fool or a random person.
11 As a dog is not disgusted by its vomit and returns to where it vomited so a fool is not disgusted by his foolishness and repeats it again.
12 Have you met a person who considers himself smarter than everyone else? A fool is more likely to listen to others and change. But the one who is overconfident will never become wise.
13 A lazy person always makes excuses. He says, “There is a lion walking on the roads and streets so I cannot go to work.”
14 As a door turns on its hinges so a lazy person turns on his bed.
15 He takes food from his plate, but it is difficult for him to lift it to his mouth.
16 A lazy person considers himself seven times smarter than any other professionals who know their business well.
17 The one who walks by and interferes in someone else’s fight may put his life in danger. He acts like the one who pulls the ears of a stray dog.
18 A person who pretends to be mad shoots flaming arrows randomly and puts others in mortal danger.
19 He is as dangerous as the one who deliberately deceives his friend, and then says, “I was just joking.”
20 Fire goes out if no one throws firewood. And quarrels stop if no one spreads gossip.
21 Strong heat comes from coals, and fire starts from firewood. And quarrel breaks out because of a quarrelsome person.
22 The heart of a person who loves gossips is filled with slander. And he enjoys gossips as much as people enjoy delicious food.
23 Clay pot covered with cheap silver paint might look attractive, but it has no value. The same way, the flattering words of a person whose heart is filled with evil mean nothing.
24 If your enemy plans to cause you trouble, he will speak flattering words to hide his hatred.
25 His heart is filled with seven disgusting sins. So do not believe him, even though he will say nice words to you.
26 The enemy may act cunningly to hide his hatred. But when anger begins to overwhelm him, he will no longer be able to hide it. Then everyone will see that he wanted to harm you.
27 The one who digs a pit for another person will fall into it. The one who rolls a stone on another one will get crushed by this stone.
28 The one who hates others will spread lies about them to harm them. And the one who flatters people wants to destroy their lives.

Chapter 27

1 Do not boast about what you are going to do in the future because you do not know what may happen to you tomorrow.
2 Do not praise yourself, let others praise you. Live in such a way that people would speak well about you.
3 It is difficult to work with stones and sand. But it is even harder to work with a quick-tempered fool.
4 If a person boils with anger and great wrath, he may commit cruel actions. But if he is filled with jealousy, he may be even more dangerous.
5 The one who loves his friend will make a proper correction to him. He will not keep silent if his friend made a mistake.
6 Listen to your friend who loves you when he sincerely speaks to you about your weaknesses. And do not trust your enemy who hates you, though he speaks flattering words as pleasant as kisses.
7 If you offer honey to a person who is full, he will throw it away. But if you give tasteless food to a hungry person, he will eat it with such pleasure as if it were sweet honey.
8 As it is difficult for a bird to live without a nest, so it is hard for a person to live far from his home.
9 Good advice from a friend is as pleasant as fragrant oil and incense.
10 Maintain good relationships with your friends and with your father’s friends who live near you. If you face troubles, a friend who is near will help you faster than a brother who is far away.
11 My son, if you believe in God and act wisely, I will rejoice with all my heart. Then I will know what to answer unbelievers who ridicule me, and whose children act foolishly.
12 A person of understanding foresees danger and takes precautions. But a careless person ignores danger and faces troubles.
13 If you promised to pay off the debts of another person, but you failed to do so, the creditors will take all your possessions. You will not even have clothes left.
14 If you pray loudly early in the morning, you will wake up others. Your prayer will not bring blessing, but it will irritate people.
15 When the weather is bad, it rains non-stop. And when a wife is grumpy, she nags again and again.
16 As it is impossible to calm the wind so it is impossible to stop her complaints. As it is impossible to hold oil in the hand so it is impossible to keep a grumbling wife from quarreling.
17 As one iron blade can be sharpened well by another one, so one friend can influence another one in a good way.
18 The one who takes good care of a fig tree will eat its fruit. And the one who does his job well will receive a reward from his boss.
19 Look at the surface of water, and you will see your reflection. Look at what fills your heart, and you will understand what kind of person you really are.
20 Hell and death can never be satisfied. The same way, a person who casts dirty looks will never be able to satisfy his lust.
21 When fire purifies silver and gold, they gain value. And when others praise a person, you can understand how much people appreciate him.
22 People grind grain in a bowl to separate it from the husk. And people beat a fool with a stick to correct him, but he remains foolish.
23 Take good care of your livestock. Watch if your flocks are in a good condition.
24 Remember that it is impossible to keep accumulated wealth forever. And it may happen that political power in the country will change.
25 That is why you should work hard to have everything you need for life. Store hay for your livestock. And when fresh grass grows, drive your flocks to the fields and cut the grass on the slopes of the hills.
26 Cut the wool off your sheep to make clothes for yourself. And sell your goats to buy one more field.
27 Keep she-goats which can produce a lot of milk. This way, you will be able to provide food for your family and the workers you hired.

Chapter 28

1 A wicked person runs away in fear, though no one chases him. But a believer who is eager to do what is right acts boldly like a lion.
2 If a nation rebels, the political power in the country will change often, and it will lead the country to chaos. But when a wise and knowledgeable person comes to power, he will establish such laws that will bring prosperity and stability to the country.
3 A poor person who gained authority and started ruining other poor people will do a lot of harm. He is like heavy rain which destroys crops and causes a lot of troubles.
4 The one who departs from the Law of God approves the works of the wicked. But the one who keeps the Law rises up against what the wicked do.
5 The one who does evil does not understand how to act with justice. But the one who follows the Lord always knows how to do what is right.
6 It is better to be poor and honest than to be rich and earn money by illegal means.
7 If a son keeps the Law of God, he acts wisely and brings joy to his parents. But if a son joins a bad company, he does a lot of foolish things and dishonors his father.
8 The one who wants to get rich and lends money at high interest will give his profit to the one who does charity.
9 It is disgusting to God if a person prays, but he does not want to listen to His Law.
10 The one who wants to harm a believer and pushes him into the path of evil will fall into his own pit. But good things will come into the life of a believer who is eager to do what is right.
11 A rich person always looks wise in his own eyes. But a poor person who has wisdom can point out the mistake that the rich person made.
12 If believers rule a country, people will rejoice because there will be order and prosperity in the country. But if the wicked come to power, people will be afraid of what will happen in the future. They will live in such a way that they would not attract any attention to themselves.
13 He who does not acknowledge his sins will fail. But the one who admits that he was wrong and leaves his sins will receive forgiveness and achieve success.
14 The person who fears God and is eager to do what is right will live a blessed and happy life. But the one who hardens his heart against the Lord will face troubles.
15 If a wicked person rules a country and ruins the poor, people will fear him like a roaring lion or a hungry bear.
16 If a foolish person rules a country and uses his position to get rich, he will ruin his people and lose his power. But if the one who hates corruption rules the country, his people will prosper, and he will be in power for a long time.
17 The one who committed a murder is guilty of a crime. He will hide from justice until his death, and no one will come to help him.
18 The one who does what is right will keep himself out of troubles. But the one who chooses a wrong path will destroy his life.
19 The one who works on his land will live in abundance. But a lazy person who chases empty dreams will live in poverty.
20 There will be many blessings in the life of an honest person. But the one who is eager to get rich quickly by illegal means will not be able to escape punishment.
21 It is wrong for a judge to make unjust decision for personal gain. Such a judge may be bribed even for a small amount of money.
22 A greedy person wants to get rich quickly by illegal means. But he does not understand that he will face troubles and lose everything.
23 Your friend may feel uncomfortable if you make him a proper correction. But later he will appreciate you because you did not flatter him, but told him the truth.
24 The one who robs his father and mother, and says that it is not a sin is no different from a thief.
25 The one who is not happy with what he has will be angry with others. But the one who trusts the Lord and thanks Him for everything will enjoy a peaceful life.
26 The one who relies on himself will act foolishly. But the one who listens to the advice of others will behave wisely and avoid troubles.
27 The one who helps the poor will be blessed. And such a person will lack nothing. But the one who ignores the poor will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked come to power, people will be afraid of what will happen in the future. They will live in such a way that they would not attract any attention to themselves. But when the wicked lose their power, people will stop living in fear and many of them will come to God.

Chapter 29

1 If people make proper corrections to a person, but he does not want to correct himself, suddenly he will become so sick that he will not be able to recover.
2 If believers who are eager to do what is right rule the country, their nation will live prosperously and happily. But if a wicked person comes to power, people will suffer.
3 The one who loves to act wisely will bring joy to his father. But the one who enters into the relationships with immoral women will foolishly squander the property of his family and bring sorrow to his father.
4 If a king acts justly, he will make his country strong. But if he does not fight against bribery, it will destroy his country.
5 He who flatters his friend will harm him with his lies.
6 If a person harms others, he will suffer from his own sin. But a believer who is eager to do what is right will avoid all the troubles and sing for joy.
7 A believer treats the poor with justice and ensures that no one would violate their rights. But a wicked person does not care about the poor and does not want to help them with their problems.
8 The one who provokes violence can start an uprising in the city. But the wise call for peace and make efforts to calm down the people who are full of rage.
9 If a wise person sues a fool in the court, the fool will become angry and ridicule the wise person with insults. A fool is not able to control himself and negotiate peacefully.
10 Cruel murders want to kill innocent people. But the believers help those whose lives are in mortal danger.
11 A fool gets angry quickly and starts shouting. But a wise person shows patience and speaks calmly.
12 If there are only the wicked who surround a leader of the country, he will hear nothing from them, but lies.
13 What can a poor person have in common with the one who treats him unjustly? Both of their lives are in the hands of the Lord. Their eyes will see the light as long as God wants it.
14 If a king treats the poor with justice and ensures that no one would violate their rights, he will rule for a long time.
15 If parents discipline their child and make him proper corrections, he will learn to do what is right and become wise. But if his mother neglects to raise her child in a right way, he will grow up to be a shameless person. And she will be ashamed of his behavior.
16 If the wicked come to power, the crime increases in the country. But when their power comes to end, the believers will see how the wicked will get the punishment they deserve.
17 Discipline your son since his childhood. Then he will grow up to be a good person. And you will rejoice with all your heart that you do not have to worry about his future.
18 If a nation does not follow God’s revelation, people get wild. They do whatever they wish and bring sufferings to themselves. But if a nation keeps the Law of God, people will live a blessed and happy life.
19 It is impossible to correct a slave with words. He can hear the corrections, but he ignores them and keeps doing things the way he wants.
20 Have you met a person who does not think about the consequences of his words? He is worse than a fool, and you cannot trust him.
21 If you spoil a slave since his childhood, he will disrespect you when he grows up.
22 An evil person gets angry quickly and starts quarreling with others. The hot-tempered person cannot control himself and commits many sins.
23 The one who shows arrogance will get into unpleasant situations, and he will be ashamed of his behavior. But the one who treats others without contempt will earn respect.
24 If you help a thief and partner with him secretly, you will harm yourself and become a participant in a crime. When you stand in court, you will say, “I swear to tell the truth.” But you will bear a false witness and bring a curse upon yourself.
25 Do not be concerned about what others speak about you. Otherwise, you will harm yourself and face troubles. Trust the Lord, and He will keep you safe from every evil.
26 Many people seek an audience with an influential person. They hope that he will help them get just decision. But not many people come to the Lord who has all the power to restore justice.
27 A believer hates what a wicked person does. And a wicked person hates the way a believer lives.

Chapter 30

1 Agur was the son of Jakeh. And when he talked to Ithiel and Ucal, he said the words that deserve attention,
2 “I know that I am not the smartest, and I lack the knowledge that others have.
3 I could not learn wisdom or understand who the Holy God is.
4 Who could go up to heaven and come down from heaven to earth? Who could catch the wind and hold it in his hands? Who could stop water from passing through clothes? What is the name of the One who created this entire earth, and what is the name of His Son? Tell me if you know.
5 Everything God says is truth that can be fully trusted. God becomes a shield for those who ask Him for salvation in times of danger.
6 Do not add anything to what God said. Otherwise, He will accuse you of lying, and you will be found a liar.
7 Lord, I ask You not to deny me two things while I live on earth.
8 First, help me be purposeful and honest so that I would not waste my life. And second, I do not want to be either poor or rich. Give me only what is necessary.
9 Otherwise, if I become rich, I will deny You and say, “Who is the Lord? I have achieved success on my own.” But if I become poor, I will start stealing and bring shame to the name of my God.”
10 Do not spread slander about a person who fulfills his duties well. Otherwise, when it is revealed that he did nothing wrong, his boss will curse you. He will hold you accountable for the slander, and you will be guilty of discrediting the reputation of a good person.
11 There are people who treat their parents with contempt. They curse the father and express no gratitude to the mother.
12 There are also those who have sunk in their sins like into impurities. But they have no shame and consider themselves pure.
13 There are also those who look at others with arrogance. What disrespectful looks they cast around!
14 There are also those whose teeth are sharp like swords and whose jaws cut like knives. They treat the poor and needy with cruelty to enrich themselves at their expense.
15 The greedy are unsatisfied like two leeches who are screaming and interrupting each other, “Give me more, give me more!” There are three things that will never be satisfied, and even four that will never say, “Enough!”
16 First, it is death that will never stop taking people. Second, it is a barren woman who will not say, “That’s it, I do not want to have children anymore! Third, it is a desert that will never drink enough water. And fourth, it is a fire that will burn until it consumes everything around.
17 The one who looks at his father with a sneer will die a shameful death. And his eyes will be pecked out by the ravens that live in a valley. The one who does not listen to his mother and despises her will die and become the prey of young eagles that feed on dead bodies.
18 There are three things that I am amazed with, and even four that I cannot explain.
19 I am amazed at how an eagle flies in the sky, and how a snake crawls on the rock. I do not understand how a ship navigates in the middle of the sea, and how a man finds his way to the heart of a young woman.
20 I also do not understand the behavior of a woman who lives an immoral life. She treats love affairs with men like eating a meal. She eats, wipes her mouth and forgets what she ate. Then she says, “I did nothing wrong.”
21 Three things cause the earth to shake, and it cannot tolerate four things.
22 It is sad if a slave becomes a king, and if a fool gets everything he needs for life.
23 It is wrong when an immoral woman marries an honorable man. And it is also wrong when a servant woman has an affair with her master and takes his wife’s place.
24 Among all living creatures on earth there are four beings that we do not pay attention to, but they can teach wisdom even to the wisest.
25 Ants have little strength, but they are hardworking and store supplies. They work all summer to gather food for the winter.
26 Mountain mice cannot fight off predators. But they dig holes on the hillsides where they can hide from them.
27 Locusts have no king. But they are able to move in huge swarms where we can see an amazing order.
28 Lizard clings skillfully with its paws and can easily sneak into the king’s palace where no one else can enter.
29 Here are three walking with majesty, and four walking with dignity.
30 The lion is the strongest among the animals. It is not afraid of anyone and will not give way to anyone.
31 Here is a quarrelsome rooster and a stubborn goat walking proudly around the yard. And here is the king leading his army majestically.
32 If you showed arrogance, acted foolishly, and started making plans to harm others, then take control of yourself and stop shouting.
33 If you churn milk, you get butter. If you hit someone in the nose, it will bleed. And if you give in to anger, a quarrel will break out.

Chapter 31

1 King Lemuel wrote down the wise advice given to him by his mother.
2 My son, when I gave birth to you, I dedicated you to God.
3 Do not be captivated by women. Do not waste your energy on them, otherwise, you will stray from the right path. Women have destroyed many kings.
4 Lemuel, also do not indulge in alcohol. Kings should not consume wine. Rulers must not drink strong drinks.
5 If they start drinking, they will begin to break the law. Then they will not be able to make the right decisions to protect those who have suffered injustice.
6 The one whose life is ruined consumes alcohol. And the one whose soul suffers from sorrow gets drunk with wine.
7 When a person gets drunk, he forgets that he is poor. And while he is drunk, he does not remember his problems.
8 Defend the rights of those who are helpless. Protect those who cannot stand up for themselves.
9 Advocate for the poor and needy so that they could get justice in court.
10 The one who marries a kind and hardworking woman will value her more than precious stones.
11 The husband of such a wife completely trusts her to manage business, because she makes profitable decisions.
12 Throughout her life she will take care of her husband’s well-being and will never betray him.
13 She makes clothes from wool and linen. And everything she does brings her pleasure.
14 She is like a merchant ship that sets off on a long trip to bring everything necessary for life.
15 She gets up before dawn, prepares food for her family and gives instructions to her maids.
16 She finds land and negotiates the purchase. And with the money she earned, she plants a vineyard there.
17 She takes care of her health in order to be strong and overcome challenges.
18 She can see how well she earns. And her lamp does not go out even at night.
19 She sits down at the spinning wheel and takes hold of the spindle to twist thread from wool and flax.
20 She helps the poor and extends a helping hand to the needy.
21 She does not worry about her family when winter comes because she has made sure that everyone has warm clothing.
22 She makes bed covers. She wears luxurious clothes of bright red color made of fine linen.
23 And her husband holds a high position in society. He sits at the city gates and makes important decisions with other elders.
24 She sews linen clothes and makes belts. Then she sends them to traders who sell them in different places.
25 She is full of strength and carries herself with dignity. She is cheerful and does not worry about what might happen in the future.
26 With wisdom and kindness she teaches others to follow God’s Law.
27 She does housework and does not sit idle.
28 Her children treat her with respect and bless her. And her husband also praises her.
29 He says, “There are many worthy women, but you have surpassed them all.”
30 External attractiveness is deceptive, and beauty cannot last forever. But if a woman fears the Lord, it is the most important quality she should be valued for.
31 She deserves to be treated with respect for everything she does. And may all the people in the city know about her good deeds.