1 Wine is a mocker,  * beer is a brawler;

whoever goes astray  * because of them is not wise.

2 A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;

anyone who provokes him endangers himself.  *

3 Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,  *

but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.  *

4 The slacker does not plow during planting season;  *

at harvest time he looks,  * and there is nothing.  *

5 Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water;  *

but a person of understanding draws it out.

6 Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,

but who can find a trustworthy person?  *

7 A righteous person acts with integrity;  *

his children who come after him will be happy.  *

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge

separates out all evil with his eyes.  *

9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure;

I am cleansed from my sin"?  *

10 Differing weights and varying measures  *  —

both are detestable to the  Lord.  *

11 Even a young man is known by his actions —

by whether his behavior is pure and upright.  *

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye —

the Lord made them both.  *

13 Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;

open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.  *

14 "It’s worthless, it’s worthless! " the buyer says,

but after he is on his way, he gloats.

15 There is gold and a multitude of jewels,

but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.  *

16 Take his garment,

for he has put up security for a stranger;

get collateral if it is for foreigners.  *

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person,  *

but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.  *

18 Finalize plans with counsel,  *

and wage war with sound guidance.  *

19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;  *

avoid someone with a big mouth.  *

20 Whoever curses his father or mother  *  —

his lamp will go out in deep darkness.  *

21 An inheritance gained prematurely

will not be blessed ultimately.  *

22 Don’t say, "I will avenge this evil! "  *

Wait on the Lord,  * and he will rescue you.  *

23 Differing weights  * are detestable to the  Lord,  *

and dishonest scales  * are unfair.

24 Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the  Lord,  *

so how can anyone understand his own way?

25 It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly

and later to reconsider his vows.  *

26 A wise king separates out the wicked  *

and drives the threshing wheel  * over them.

27 The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,  *

searching the innermost parts.  *,*

28 Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king;

through loyalty he maintains his throne.

29 The glory of young men is their strength,

and the splendor of old men is gray hair.  *

30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil,  *

and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.  *