20 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

² A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;
those who anger him forfeit their lives.

³ It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.

⁴ Sluggards do not plow in season;
so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

⁵ The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.

⁶ Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?

⁷ The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.

⁸ When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.

⁹ Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin"?

¹⁰ Differing weights and differing measures−
the Lord detests them both.

¹¹ Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really 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;
stay awake and you will have food to spare.

¹⁴ "It’s no good, it’s no good!" says the buyer−
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

¹⁵ Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

¹⁶ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

¹⁷ Food gained by fraud tastes sweet,
but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

¹⁸ Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.

¹⁹ A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.

²⁰ If someone curses their father or mother,
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

²¹ An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.

²² Do not say, "I’ll pay you back for this wrong!"
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

²³ The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.

²⁴ A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand their own way?

²⁵ It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.

²⁶ A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.

²⁷ The human spirit is^[a] the lamp of the Lord
that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

²⁸ Love and faithfulness keep a king safe;
through love his throne is made secure.

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

³⁰ Blows and wounds scrub away evil,
and beatings purge the inmost being.

⁶ Praise be to the Lord,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
⁷ We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
⁸ Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ The scepter of the wicked will not remain
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.

⁴ Lord, do good to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.
⁵ But those who turn to crooked ways
the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.

⁴ Restore our fortunes,^[c] Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.

³ Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.