1 Wine is arrogant, strong drink is riotous;none who are intoxicated by them are wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion;those who incur his anger forfeit their lives.
3 A person gains honor by avoiding strife,while every fool starts a quarrel.
4 In seedtime sluggards do not plow;when they look for the harvest, it is not there.
5 The intention of the human heart is deep water,but the intelligent draw it forth.
6 Many say, “My loyal friend,”but who can find someone worthy of trust?
7 The just walk in integrity;happy are their children after them!
8 A king seated on the throne of judgmentdispels all evil with his glance.
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean,I am cleansed of my sin”?
10 Varying weights, varying measures,are both an abomination to the Lord.
11 In their actions even children can playactthough their deeds be blameless and right.
12 The ear that hears, the eye that sees—the Lord has made them both.
13 Do not love sleep lest you be reduced to poverty;keep your eyes open, have your fill of food.
14 “Bad, bad!” says the buyer,then goes away only to boast.
15 One can put on gold and abundant jewels,but wise lips are the most precious ornament.
16 Take the garment of the one who became surety for a stranger;if for foreigners, exact the pledge!
17 Bread earned by deceit is sweet,but afterward the mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Plans made with advice succeed;with wise direction wage your war.
19 A slanderer reveals secrets;so have nothing to do with a babbler!
20 Those who curse father or mother—their lamp will go out in the dead of night.
21 Possessions greedily guarded at the outsetwill not be blessed in the end.
22 Do not say, “I will repay evil!”Wait for the Lord, who will help you.
23 Varying weights are an abomination to the Lord,and false scales are not good.
24 Our steps are from the Lord;how, then, can mortals understand their way?
25 It is a trap to pledge rashly a sacred gift,and after a vow, then to reflect.
26 A wise king winnows the wicked,and threshes them under the cartwheel.
27 A lamp from the Lord is human life-breath;it searches through the inmost being.
28 His steadfast loyalty safeguards the king,and he upholds his throne by justice.
29 The glory of the young is their strength,and the dignity of the old is gray hair.
30 Evil is cleansed away by bloody lashes,and a scourging to the inmost being.