Bible Reading Plan

¹ Wine is a mocker,^(a) beer is a brawler,
and whoever staggers 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.^(b)

³ It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,^(c)
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.^(d)

⁴ The slacker does not plow during planting season;^[a]
at harvest time he looks,^[b] and there is nothing.^(e)

⁵ Counsel in a man's heart is deep water;^(f)
but a man of understanding draws it out.

⁶ Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy man?^(g)

⁷ The one who lives with integrity is righteous;^(h)
his children^[c] who come after him will be happy.⁽ⁱ⁾

⁸ A king sitting on a throne to judge
sifts out all evil with his eyes.^(j)

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

¹⁰ Differing weights and varying measures^[d]—
both are detestable to the Lord .^(l)

¹¹ Even a young man is known by his actions—
if his behavior is pure and upright.^(m)

¹² The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
the Lord made them both.⁽ⁿ⁾

¹³ Don't love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you'll have enough to eat.^(o)

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.^(p)

¹⁶ Take his garment,^[e]
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.^(q)

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man,^(r)
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.

¹⁸ Finalize plans with counsel,^(s)
and wage war with sound guidance.^(t)

¹⁹ The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;^(u)
avoid someone with a big mouth.^(v)

²⁰ Whoever curses his father or mother^(w)—
his lamp will go out in deep darkness.^(x)

²¹ An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.^(y)

²² Don't say, "I will avenge this evil!"^(z)
Wait on the Lord ,^(aa) and He will rescue you.^(ab)

²³ Differing weights^[f] are detestable to the Lord ,^(ac)
and dishonest scales^(ad) are unfair.

²⁴ A man's steps are determined by the Lord ,^(ae)
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.^(af)

²⁶ A wise king separates out the wicked^(ag)
and drives the threshing wheel^(ah) over them.

²⁷ The Lord 's lamp sheds light on a person's life,^[g]
searching the innermost parts.^[h](ai)

²⁸ Loyalty and faithfulness deliver 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.^(aj)

³⁰ Lashes and wounds purge away evil,^(ak)
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.^[i]