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Wine is a Mocker

¹ Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

² The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.

³ It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.

⁴ The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

⁵ The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

⁶ Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?

⁷ The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.

⁸ A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

⁹ Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?

^{10 (a)}Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.

¹¹ Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.

¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.

¹³ Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.

¹⁴ “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.

¹⁵ There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

¹⁶ Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a wayward woman^(a).

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.

¹⁸ Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.

¹⁹ He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles^(a) with his lips.

²⁰ Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.

²¹ An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.

²² Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will deliver you.

²³ Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.

²⁴ A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?

²⁵ It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly only later to reconsider his vows.

²⁶ A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷ The spirit^(a) of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.

²⁸ Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.

²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.

³⁰ Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.