1 Wine is a mocker! Strong drink leads to brawls. He who is intoxicated by it is not wise.

2 Fear of a king is like the roar of a lion. Provoke him to anger and sin against yourself.

3 It is an honor for a man to cease from discord. Only fools start quarrels.

4 The lazy man will not plow because of the cold. He will beg during harvest and have nothing.

5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water and a man of understanding will draw it out.

6 Most men proclaim their own loyalty; but who can find a trustworthy man?

7 The righteous man walks in his integrity. He blesses his children.

8 When a king sits on the throne of judgment he scatters away evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say: »I have made my heart clean. I am pure from my sin?«

10 Differing weights and differing measures, both of them are an abomination to Jehovah.

11 Even a child is known by his deeds, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.

12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, Jehovah made them both.

13 Do not love sleep or you will come to poverty. Open your eyes and be satisfied with bread.

14 »Good for nothing,« cries the buyer. But when he goes his way he boasts about the purchase.

15 There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips that speak knowledge are more precious than jewels.

16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger and hold it as a pledge for a seductress.

17 Bread taken by deceit tastes sweet to a man. Afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18 Good counsel makes for good plans. Seek good counsel if you wage war.

19 A gossip reveals secrets. So avoid a man who speaks flattering words.

20 He who curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in obscure darkness.

21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but in the end it will not be blessed.

22 Do not say: »I will recompense evil.« Instead wait on Jehovah, and he will save you.

23 Many and different weights are an abomination to Jehovah and a false balance is not good.

24 Jehovah directs man’s steps. How can man understand his own way?

25 It is dangerous to make a vow to God before counting the cost.

26 A wise king sifts out the wicked. He rolls the threshing wheel over them.

27 The breath of man is the candle of Jehovah, searching all the inward parts of him.

28 Loving-kindness and truth preserve the king and his throne is upheld by loving-kindness.

29 The glory of young men is their strength. The honor of old men is their gray haired wisdom and experience.

30 It takes a painful experience to cleanse our hearts.