Chapter 27

1 Do ^R1011 not boast about tomorrow, For you do ^R1012 not know what a day may bring forth.

2 Let another ^R1013 praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.

3 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them. 4 Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who ^R1014 can stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open ^R1015 rebuke Than love that is concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds ^R1016 of a friend, But deceitful ^F391 are the kisses ^R1017 of an enemy.

7 A sated man ^F392 loathes ^F393 honey, But to a famished man ^F392 any bitter thing is sweet.

8 Like a bird ^R1018 that wanders from her nest, So is a man who wanders ^R1019 from his home. ^F394

9 Oil ^R1020 and perfume make the heart glad, So a man's ^F395 counsel is sweet to his friend. 10 Do not forsake your own friend ^R1021 or your ^R1022 father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.

11 Be ^R1023 wise, my son, and make my heart glad, That I may reply ^R1024 to him who reproaches me.

12 A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, The naive ^F396 proceed and pay the penalty.

13 Take ^R1025 his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for an adulterous ^F397 woman hold him in pledge.

14 He ^R1026 who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, It will be reckoned a curse to him.

15 A constant ^R1027 dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike; 16 He who would restrain ^F398 her restrains ^F398 the wind, And grasps ^F399 oil with his right hand.

17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

18 He who tends the fig ^R1028 tree will eat its fruit, And he who cares ^R1029 for his master will be honored.

19 As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.

20 Sheol ^{R1030 F400} and Abaddon ^F401 are never ^R1031 satisfied, Nor are the eyes ^R1032 of man ever satisfied.

21 The crucible ^R1033 is for silver and the furnace for gold, And each is ^R1034 tested by the praise accorded him.

22 Though you pound ^R1035 a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

23 Know ^R1036 well the condition ^F402 of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds; 24 For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown ^R1037 endure to all generations. 25 When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered ^R1038 in, 26 The lambs will be for your clothing, And the goats will bring the price of a field, 27 And there will be goats' milk enough for your food, For the food of your household, And sustenance for your maidens.

Chapter 28

1 The wicked flee ^R1039 when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold ^F403 as a lion.

2 By the transgression of a land many ^R1040 are its princes, But by ^R1041 a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

3 A poor ^R1042 man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which ^F404 leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise ^R1043 the wicked, But those who keep the law strive ^R1044 with them.

5 Evil men do ^R1045 not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand ^R1046 all things.

6 Better ^R1047 is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked ^F405 though he be rich.

7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons ^R1048 humiliates his father.

8 He who increases his wealth by interest ^R1049 and usury Gathers it for ^R1050 him who is gracious to the poor.

9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer ^R1051 is an abomination.

10 He who leads the upright astray in an evil way Will himself ^R1052 fall into his own pit, But the blameless ^R1053 will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise ^R1054 in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees ^F406 through him.

12 When the righteous ^R1055 triumph, there is great glory, But when ^R1056 the wicked rise, men hide ^F407 themselves.

13 He who conceals ^R1057 his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses ^R1058 and forsakes them will find compassion.

14 How blessed is the man who fears ^R1059 always, But he who hardens ^R1060 his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like a roaring ^R1061 lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ^R1062 ruler over a poor people.

16 A leader ^R1063 who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

17 A man who is laden ^R1064 with the guilt of human blood Will be ^F408 a fugitive until death; let no one support him.

18 He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, But he who is crooked ^{R1065 F409} will fall all at once.

19 He ^R1066 who tills his land will have ^R1067 plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.

20 A faithful ^R1068 man will abound with blessings, But he who makes ^R1069 haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show ^{R1070 F410} partiality is not good, Because ^R1071 for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 A man with an evil ^R1072 eye hastens ^R1073 after wealth And does not know that want will come upon him.

23 He who rebukes ^R1074 a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters ^R1075 with the tongue.

24 He who robs ^R1076 his father or his mother And says, "It is not a transgression," Is the companion ^R1077 of a man who destroys.

25 An arrogant ^F411 man stirs ^R1078 up strife, But he who trusts ^R1079 in the LORD will ^R1080 prosper. ^F412

26 He who trusts ^R1081 in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

27 He who gives ^R1082 to the poor will never want, But he who shuts ^F413 his eyes will have many curses.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.

Chapter 29

1 A man who hardens his neck after much ^R1083 reproof Will suddenly ^R1084 be broken beyond ^F414 remedy.

2 When the righteous ^R1085 increase, ^F415 the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

3 A man who loves ^R1086 wisdom makes his father glad, But he who keeps ^R1087 company with harlots wastes his wealth.

4 The king ^R1088 gives stability to the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.

5 A man who flatters ^R1089 his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps.

6 By transgression an evil man is ensnared, ^R1090 But the righteous sings ^R1091 and rejoices.

7 The righteous ^R1092 is ^F416 concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern. ^F417

8 Scorners set ^R1093 a city aflame, But wise ^R1094 men turn away anger.

9 When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The ^F418 foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

10 Men of bloodshed ^R1095 hate the blameless, But the upright are ^F419 concerned for his life.

11 A fool ^R1096 always ^F420 loses his temper, But a wise ^R1097 man holds it back.

12 If a ruler ^R1098 pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.

13 The poor ^R1099 man and the oppressor have ^F421 this in common: The LORD gives light ^R1100 to the eyes of both.

14 If a king ^R1101 judges the poor with truth, His throne ^R1102 will be established forever.

15 The rod ^R1103 and reproof give wisdom, But a child who ^F422 gets his own way brings ^R1104 shame to his mother.

16 When the wicked increase, ^F423 transgression increases; But the righteous ^R1105 will see their fall.

17 Correct ^R1106 your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight ^{R1107 F424} your soul.

18 Where there is no ^R1108 vision, ^F425 the people are ^R1109 unrestrained, But happy ^R1110 is he who keeps the law.

19 A slave will not be instructed by words alone; For though he understands, there will be no response.

20 Do you see a man who is hasty ^R1111 in his words? There is more ^R1112 hope for a fool than for him.

21 He who pampers his slave from childhood Will in the end find him to be a son.

22 An angry ^R1113 man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

23 A man's pride ^R1114 will bring him low, But a humble ^R1115 spirit will obtain honor.

24 He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He hears ^R1116 the oath but tells nothing.

25 The fear ^R1117 of man brings ^F426 a snare, But he who trusts ^R1118 in the LORD will be exalted.

26 Many ^R1119 seek the ruler's favor, ^F427 But justice ^R1120 for man comes from the LORD.

27 An unjust ^R1121 man is abominable to the righteous, And he who is upright ^R1122 in the way is abominable to the wicked.

Chapter 30

1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. ^F428 The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal: 2 Surely I am more stupid ^R1123 than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man. 3 Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge ^R1124 of the Holy One. 4 Who has ascended ^R1125 into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind ^R1126 in His fists? Who has wrapped ^R1127 the waters in His ^F429 garment? Who has established ^R1128 all the ends of the earth? What is His name ^R1129 or His son's name? Surely you know! 5 Every word ^R1130 of God is tested; He is a shield ^R1131 to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Do ^R1132 not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.

7 Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep deception and lies ^F430 far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food ^R1133 that is my portion, 9 That I not be full ^R1134 and deny You ^R1135 and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in ^R1136 want and steal, And profane ^R1137 the name of my God.

10 Do not slander a slave to his master, Or he will curse ^R1138 you and you will be found guilty. 11 There is a kind ^F431 of man who curses ^R1139 his father And does not bless his mother. 12 There is a kind ^F432 who is pure ^R1140 in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness. 13 There is a kind--oh ^F433 how lofty ^R1141 are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance. 14 There is a kind ^F434 of man whose teeth ^R1142 are like swords And his jaw ^R1143 teeth like knives, To devour ^R1144 the afflicted from the earth And the needy from among men.

15 The leech has two daughters, "Give," "Give." There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, "Enough": 16 Sheol, ^{R1145 F435} and the barren ^R1146 womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, "Enough." 17 The eye that mocks ^R1147 a father And scorns ^{R1148 F436} a mother, The ravens ^R1149 of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles ^R1149 will eat it.

18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Four which I do not understand: 19 The way of an eagle ^R1150 in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid. 20 This is the way of an adulterous ^R1151 woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, "I have done no wrong." 21 Under three things the earth quakes, And under four, it cannot bear up: 22 Under a slave ^R1152 when he becomes king, And a fool when he is satisfied with food, 23 Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband, And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.

24 Four things are small on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: 25 The ants ^R1153 are not a strong people, But they prepare their food in the summer; 26 The shephanim ^{R1154 F437} are not mighty people, Yet they make their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in ranks; ^R1155 28 The lizard you may grasp with the hands, Yet it is in kings' palaces.

29 There are three things which are stately in their march, Even four which are stately when they walk: 30 The lion which is mighty ^R1156 among beasts And does not retreat ^{R1157 F438} before any, 31 The strutting ^F439 rooster, the male goat also, And a king when his army is with him. 32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself Or if you have plotted evil, put ^R1158 your hand on your mouth. 33 For the churning ^F440 of milk produces butter, And pressing the nose brings forth blood; So the churning ^F440 of anger ^R1159 produces strife.

Chapter 31

1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle ^F441 which his mother taught him: 2 What, O my son? And what, O son ^R1160 of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? ^R1161 3 Do ^R1162 not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys ^R1163 kings. 4 It is not for kings, ^R1164 O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink ^R1165 wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert ^R1166 the rights ^F442 of all the afflicted. ^F443 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, ^R1167 And wine to him whose ^{R1168 F444} life is bitter. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more. 8 Open ^R1169 your mouth for the mute, For the rights ^F445 of all the unfortunate. ^F446 9 Open your mouth, judge ^R1170 righteously, And defend ^F447 the rights ^R1171 of the afflicted and needy.

10 An excellent ^R1172 wife, who can find? For her worth is far above ^R1173 jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands ^F448 in ^F449 delight. 14 She is like merchant ^R1174 ships; She brings her food from afar. 15 She rises ^R1175 also while it is still night And gives ^R1176 food to her household And portions ^F450 to her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her ^F451 earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds ^R1177 herself ^F452 with strength And makes her arms strong. 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands ^F453 grasp the spindle. 20 She extends ^{R1178 F454} her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed ^R1179 with scarlet. 22 She makes coverings ^R1180 for herself; Her clothing is fine ^R1181 linen and purple. ^R1182 23 Her husband is known in ^R1183 the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen ^R1184 garments and sells them, And supplies ^F455 belts to the tradesmen. ^F456 25 Strength and dignity ^R1185 are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. ^F457 26 She opens ^R1186 her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching ^F458 of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread ^R1187 of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears ^{R1188 F459} the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her the product ^F460 of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.