1Wisdom builds her house, foolishness destroys it with her own hands.
2Upright living is fear of Yahweh, but he who is devious in his ways scorns him.
3From the fool’s mouth comes the rod of his pride, the wise man’s lips protect him.
4Where there’s no oxen, there’s no wheat, in the oxen’s strength there’s abundant harvest.
5The truthful witness does not lie; the false witness breathes deceit.
6The mocker searches for wisdom in vain; knowledge comes easily to the discreet man.
7Keep away from the fool for you will find no wisdom in his words.
8The wisdom of the discreet man lies in guarding his conduct, but the foolishness of fools is full of deceit.
9Fools never make amends, while goodwill dwells among the upright.
10The heart understands its own grief; no stranger can share in its joy.
11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will stand firm.
12To one, his way appears correct, but in the end it leads to death.
13The heart feels pain in the midst of laughter, and joy ends in sorrow.
14The reckless man reaps the fruit of his ways; the good man will earn reward.
15The simpleton believes all he’s told, the prudent man watches his step.
16The wise man fears and avoids evil, the fool goes near and feels safe.
17The angry man does foolish things, the crafty man makes himself hated.
18Foolishness is the inheritance of fools, the prudent choose wisdom as their crown.
19The wicked shall kneel before the good, and the godless, before the gates of the virtuous.
20The poor man is detestable even to his neighbor while the rich man has many friends.
21A sinner is he who looks down on his neighbor, happy is he who shows pity to the poor.
22Does evil plotting not lead to ruin? Do goodness and sincerity not belong to those devoted to good?
23Hard work yields a profit but the idler brings misfortune.
24Wealth is the wise man’s crown, foolishness the diadem of fools.
25A truthful witness saves lives; he who lies will be lost.
26There is great security in the fear of Yahweh, his sons find refuge in him.
27The fear of Yahweh is a life-giving fountain for escaping the snares of death.
28Numerous people are a king’s glory; lack of subjects ruins a prince.
29The discerning man is slow to anger, the impatient one displays stupidity.
30A peaceful heart is the body’s life but the passions are a cancer in the bones.
31Oppression of the weak insults their creator, he is honored by those who have compassion on the needy.
32The evildoer is overthrown by his own evil, the upright man feels safe up to death.
33Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning; who ever sees her among fools?
34Virtue makes a nation great; the sinner disgraces a people.
35The clever servant enjoys the king’s favor but the fool has to suffer his anger.
