Integrity of the righteous man
1
Wine [is] a scorner—strong drink [is] noisy, || And any going astray in it is not wise.
2
The fear of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, || He who is causing him to be angry is wronging his soul.
3
Cessation from strife is an honor to a man, || And every fool interferes.
4
The slothful does not plow because of winter, || He asks in harvest, and there is nothing.
5
Counsel in the heart of a man [is] deep water, || And a man of understanding draws it up.
6
A multitude of men each proclaim his kindness, || And a man of steadfastness who finds?
7
The righteous is habitually walking in his integrity, || O the blessedness of his sons after him!
8
A king sitting on a throne of judgment, || Is scattering all evil with his eyes,
9
Who says, “I have purified my heart, || I have been cleansed from my sin?”
10
A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah, || Even both of them [are] an abomination to YHWH.
11
Even by his actions a youth makes himself known, || Whether his work is pure or upright.
12
A hearing ear, and a seeing eye—YHWH has even made both of them.
13
Do not love sleep, lest you become poor, || Open your eyes—be satisfied [with] bread.
14
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, || And then he boasts himself going his way.
Inheritance seized in haste
15
Substance, gold, and a multitude of rubies, || Indeed, a precious vessel, [are] lips of knowledge.
16
When a stranger has been guarantor, take his garment, || And pledge it for strangers.
17
The bread of falsehood [is] sweet to a man, || And afterward his mouth is filled [with] gravel.
18
You establish purposes by counsel, || And with plans you make war.
19
The busybody is a revealer of secret counsels, || And do not make yourself guarantor for a deceiver [with] his lips.
20
Whoever is vilifying his father and his mother, his lamp is extinguished in blackness of darkness.
21
An inheritance gotten wrongly at first, || Even its latter end is not blessed.
22
Do not say, “I repay evil,” || Wait for YHWH, and He delivers you.
23
A stone and a stone [are] an abomination to YHWH, || And balances of deceit [are] not good.
24
The steps of a man [are] from YHWH, || And man—how does he understand his way?
25
A snare to a man [that] he has swallowed a holy thing, || And to make inquiry after vows.
26
A wise king is scattering the wicked, || And turns the wheel back on them.
27
The breath of man [is] a lamp of YHWH, || Searching all the inner parts of the heart.
28
Kindness and truth keep a king, || And he has supported his throne by kindness.
29
The beauty of young men is their strength, || And the honor of old men is grey hairs.
30
Blows that wound cleanse away evil, || Also the scourges of the inner parts of the heart!
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