Read the Bible

On Life and Conduct

^1 (C1)Wine is a mocker, ^(C2)strong drink a brawler,
And whoever ^(F1)is intoxicated by it is not wise.

² The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion;
He who provokes him to anger ^(F1)(C1)forfeits his own life.

^3 (F1)(C1)Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will ^(F2)quarrel.

⁴ The ^(C1)sluggard does not plow after the autumn,
So he ^(F1)begs during the harvest and has nothing.

⁵ A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding draws it out.

⁶ Many a man ^(C1)proclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a ^(C2)trustworthy man?

⁷ A righteous man who ^(C1)walks in his integrity--
^(C2)How blessed are his sons after him.

^8 (C1)A king who sits on the throne of justice
^(F1)Disperses all evil with his eyes.

^9 (C1)Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin"?

^10 (F1)(C1)Differing weights and differing measures,
Both of them are abominable to the LORD.

¹¹ It is by his deeds that a lad ^(F1)(C1)distinguishes himself
If his conduct is pure and right.

¹² The hearing ^(C1)ear and the seeing eye,
The LORD has made both of them.

^13 (C1)Do not love sleep, or you will become poor;
Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with ^(F1)food.

¹⁴ "Bad, bad," says the buyer,
But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

¹⁵ There is gold, and an abundance of ^(F1)jewels;
But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

¹⁶ Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger;
And for foreigners, hold him in pledge.

^17 (C1)Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

¹⁸ Prepare ^(C1)plans by consultation,
And ^(C2)make war by wise guidance.

¹⁹ He who ^(C1)goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
Therefore do not associate with ^(F1)(C2)a gossip.

²⁰ He who ^(C1)curses his father or his mother,
His ^(C2)lamp will go out in ^(F1)time of darkness.

²¹ An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.

^22 (C1)Do not say, "I will repay evil";
^(C2)Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

^23 (F1)(C1)Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD,
And a ^(F2)(C2)false scale is not good.

^24 (C1)Man's steps are ordained by the LORD,
How then can man understand his way?

²⁵ It is a trap for a man to say rashly, "It is holy!"
And ^(C1)after the vows to make inquiry.

²⁶ A ^(C1)wise king winnows the wicked,
And ^(F1)drives the ^(C2)threshing wheel over them.

²⁷ The ^(F1)(C1)spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the ^(F2)innermost parts of his being.

^28 (F1)Loyalty and ^(C1)truth preserve the king,
And he upholds his throne by ^(F1)righteousness.

²⁹ The glory of young men is their strength,
And the ^(F1)(C1)honor of old men is their gray hair.

^30 (C1)Stripes that wound scour away evil,
And strokes reach the ^(F1)innermost parts.