Day 11 The Wisdom Books in a Month

Proverbs 13

1 A wise son is obedient to his father: but a disobedient son will be destroyed. 2 A good [man] shall eat of the fruits of righteousness: but the lives of transgressors shall perish before their time. 3 He that keeps his own mouth keeps his own life: but he that is hasty with his lips shall bring terror upon himself. 4 Every slothful man desires, but the hands of the active are diligent. 5 A righteous man hates an unjust word: but an ungodly man is ashamed, and will have no confidence. 7 There are [some] who, having nothing, enrich themselves: and there are [some] who bring themselves down in [the midst of] much wealth. 8 A man's own wealth is the ransom of his life: but the poor endures not threatening. 9 The righteous always have light: but the light of the ungodly is quenched. 9a Crafty souls go astray in sins: but just men pity, and are merciful. 10 A bad man does evil with insolence: but they that are judges of themselves are wise. 11 Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity is diminished: but he that gathers for himself with godliness shall be increased. The righteous is merciful, and lends. 12 Better is he that begins to help heartily, than he that promises and leads [another] to hope: for a good desire is a tree of life. 13 He that slights a matter shall be slighted of it: but he that fears the commandment has health [of soul]. 13a To a crafty son there shall be nothing good: but a wise servant shall have prosperous doings, and his way shall be directed aright. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life: but the man void of understanding shall die by a snare. 15 Sound discretion gives favour, and to know the law is the part of a sound understanding: but the ways of scorners tend to destruction. 16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge: but the fool displays his own mischief. 17 A rash king shall fall into mischief: but a wise messenger shall deliver him. 18 Instruction removes poverty and disgrace: but he that attends to reproofs shall be honoured. 19 The desires of the godly gladden the soul, but the works of the ungodly are far from knowledge. 20 If thou walkest with wise men thou shalt be wise: but he that walks with fools shall be known. 21 Evil shall pursue sinners; but good shall overtake the righteous. 22 A good man shall inherit children's children; and the wealth of ungodly men is laid up for the just. 23 The righteous shall spend many years in wealth: but the unrighteous shall perish suddenly. 24 He that spares the rod hates his son: but he that loves, carefully chastens [him]. 25 A just [man] eats and satisfies his soul: but the souls of the ungodly are in want.

Proverbs 14

1 Wise women build houses: but a foolish one digs [hers] down with her hands. 2 He that walks uprightly fears the Lord; but he that is perverse in his ways shall be dishonoured. 3 Out of the mouth of fools [comes] a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise preserve them. 4 Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean; but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent. 5 A faithful witness does not lie; but an unjust witness kindles falsehoods. 6 Thou shalt seek wisdom with bad men, and shalt not find it; but discretion is easily available with the prudent. 7 All things are adverse to a foolish man; but wise lips are the weapons of discretion. 8 The wisdom of the prudent will understand their ways; but the folly of fools leads astray. 9 The houses of transgressors will need purification; but the houses of the just are acceptable. 10 [If] a man's mind is intelligent, his soul is sorrowful; and when he rejoices, he has no fellowship with pride. 11 The houses of ungodly men shall be utterly destroyed; but the tabernacles of them that walk uprightly shall stand. 12 There is a way which seems to be right with men, but the ends of it reach to the depth of hell. 13 Grief mingles not with mirth; and joy in the end comes to grief. 14 A stout-hearted [man] shall be filled with his own ways; and a good man with his own thoughts. 15 The simple believes every word: but the prudent man betakes himself to after-thought. 16 A wise man fears, and departs from evil; but the fool trusts in himself, and joins himself with the transgressor. 17 A passionate man acts inconsiderately; but a sensible man bears up under many things. 18 Fools shall have mischief for their portion; but the prudent shall take fast hold of understanding. 19 Evil men shall fall before the good; and the ungodly shall attend at the gates of the righteous. 20 Friends will hate poor friends; but the friends of the rich are many. 21 He that dishonours the needy sins: but he that has pity on the poor is most blessed. 22 They that go astray devise evils: but the good devise mercy and truth. The framers of evil do not understand mercy and truth: but compassion and faithfulness are with the framers of good. 23 With every one [who is] careful there is abundance: but the pleasure-taking and indolent shall be in want. 24 A prudent man is the crown of the wise: but the occupation of fools is evil. 25 A faithful witness shall deliver a soul from evil: but a deceitful [man] kindles falsehoods. 26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and he leaves his children a support. 27 The commandment of the Lord is a fountain of life; and it causes [men] to turn aside from the snare of death. 28 In a populous nation is the glory of a king: but in the failure of people is the ruin of a prince. 29 A man slow to wrath abounds in wisdom: but a man of impatient spirit is very foolish. 30 A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart: but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones. 31 He that oppresses the needy provokes his Maker: but he that honours him has pity upon the poor. 32 The ungodly shall be driven away in his wickedness: but he who is secure in his own holiness is just. 33 There is wisdom in the good heart of a man: but in the heart of fools it is not discerned. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation: but sins diminish tribes. 35 An understanding servant is acceptable to a king; and by his good behaviour he removes disgrace.

Proverbs 15

1 Anger slays even wise men; yet a submissive answer turns away wrath: but a grievous word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise knows what is good: but the mouth of the foolish tells out evil things. 3 The eyes of the Lord behold both the evil and the good in every place. 4 The wholesome tongue is a tree of life, and he that keeps it shall be filled with understanding. 5 A fool scorns his father's instruction: but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth. 6 In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish. 7 The lips of the wise are bound by discretion: but the hearts of the foolish are not safe. 8 The sacrifices of the ungodly are an abomination to the Lord; but the prayers of them that walk honestly are acceptable with him. 9 The ways of an ungodly [man] are an abomination to the Lord; but he loves those that follow after righteousness. 10 The instruction of the simple is known by them that pass by; but they that hate reproofs die disgracefully. 11 Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men? 12 An uninstructed person will not love those that reprove him; neither will he associate with the wise. 13 When the heart rejoices the countenance is cheerful; but when it is in sorrow, [the countenance] is sad. 14 An upright heart seeks discretion; but the mouth of the uninstructed will experience evils. 15 The eyes of the wicked are always looking for evil things; but the good are always quiet. 16 Better is a small portion with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without the fear [of the Lord]. 17 Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity. 18 A passionate man stirs up strife; but [he that is] slow to anger appeases even a rising one. 18a A man slow to anger will extinguish quarrels; but an ungodly man rather stirs [them] up. 19 The ways of sluggards are strewn with thorns; but those of the diligent are made smooth. 20 A wise son gladdens [his] father; but a foolish son sneers at his mother. 21 The ways of a foolish man are void of sense; but a wise man proceeds on his way aright. 22 They that honour not councils put off deliberation; but counsel abides in the hearts of counsellors. 23 A bad man will by no means attend to counsel; neither will he say anything seasonable, or good for the common [weal]. 24 The thoughts of the wise are ways of life, that he may turn aside and escape from hell. 25 The Lord pulls down the houses of scorners; but he establishes the border of the widow. 26 An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord; but the sayings of the pure are held in honour. 27 A receiver of bribes destroys himself; but he that hates the receiving of bribes is safe. 27a [By alms and by faithful dealings sins are purged away;] but by the fear of the Lord every one departs from evil. 28 The hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness; but the mouth of the ungodly answers evil things. 28a The ways of righteous men are acceptable with the Lord; and through them even enemies become friends. 29 God is far from the ungodly; but he hearkens to the prayers of the righteous. 29a Better are small receipts with righteousness, than abundant fruits with unrighteousness. 29b Let the heart of a man think justly, that his steps may be rightly ordered of God. 30 The eye that sees rightly rejoices the heart; and a good report fattens the bones. 32 He that rejects instruction hates himself; but he that minds reproofs loves his soul. 33 The fear of the Lord is instruction and wisdom; and the highest honour will correspond therewith.

Proverbs 16

2 All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day. 5 Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. 7 The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. 8 He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. 9 All the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day. 10 [There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgment. 11 The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures. 12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words. 14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him. 15 The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain. 16 The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen than silver. 17 The paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth. 18 Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall. 19 Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud. 20 [He who is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed. 21 [Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more. 22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil. 23 The heart of the wise will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge. 24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul. 25 There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. 26 A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin. 27 But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips. 28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends. 29 A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good. 30 And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evils: he is a furnace of wickedness. 31 Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness. 32 A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city. 33 All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.

Proverbs 17

1 Better is a morsel with pleasure in peace, than a house [full] of many good things and unjust sacrifices, with strife. 2 A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren. 3 As silver and gold are tried in a furnace, so are choice hearts with the Lord. 4 A bad man hearkens to the tongue of transgressors: but a righteous man attends not to false lips. 5 He that laughs at the poor provokes him that made him; and he that rejoices at the destruction of another shall not be held guiltless: but he that has compassion shall find mercy. 6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and their fathers are the glory of children. 6a The faithful has the whole world full of wealth; but the faithless not even a farthing. 7 Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man. 8 Instruction is to them that use it a gracious reward: and whithersoever it may turn, it shall prosper. 9 He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide [them] separates friends and kindred. 10 A threat breaks down the heart of a wise man; but a fool, though scourged, understands not. 11 Every bad man stirs up strifes: but the Lord will send out against him an unmerciful messenger. 12 Care may befall a man of understanding; but fools will meditate evils. 13 Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not be removed from his house. 14 Rightful rule gives power to words; but sedition and strife precede poverty. 15 He that pronounces the unjust just, and the just unjust, is unclean and abominable with God. 16 Why has the fool wealth? for a senseless man will not be able to purchase wisdom. 16a He that exalts his own house seeks ruin; and he that turns aside from instruction shall fall into mischiefs. 17 Have thou a friend for every time, and let brethren be useful in distress; for on this account are they born. 18 A foolish man applauds and rejoices over himself, [as he] also that becomes surety would make himself responsible for his own friends. 19 A lover of sin rejoices in strifes; 20 and the hard-hearted man comes not in for good. A man of a changeful tongue will fall into mischiefs; 21 and the heart of a fool is grief to its possessor. A father rejoices not over an uninstructed son; but a wise son gladdens his mother. 22 A glad heart promotes health; but the bones of a sorrowful man dry up. 23 The ways of a man who unjustly receives gifts in [his] bosom do not prosper; and an ungodly man perverts the ways of righteousness. 24 The countenance of a wise man is sensible; but the eyes of a fool [go] to the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son [is a cause of] anger to his father, and grief to her that bore him. 26 [It is] not right to punish a righteous man, nor [is it] holy to plot against righteous princes. 27 He that forbears to utter a hard word is discreet, and a patient man is wise. 28 Wisdom shall be imputed to a fool who asks after wisdom: and he who holds his peace shall seem to be sensible.