Proverbs 29

1 The man who remains stiff-necked and hates rebuke will be crushed suddenly beyond cure.
2 When the just prevail, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but he who consorts with harlots squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king gives stability to the land; but he who imposes heavy taxes ruins it.
5 The man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net under his feet.
6 The wicked man steps into a snare, but the just man runs on joyfully.
7 The just man has a care for the rights of the poor; the wicked man has no such concern.
8 Arrogant men set the city ablaze, but wise men calm the fury.
9 If a wise man disputes with a fool, he may rage or laugh but can have no peace.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate the honest man, but the upright show concern for his life.
11 The fool gives vent to all his anger; but by biding his time, the wise man calms it.
12 If a ruler listens to lying words, his servants all become wicked.
13 The poor and the oppressor have a common bond: the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king is zealous for the rights of the poor, his throne stands firm forever.
15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a boy left to his whims disgraces his mother.
16 When the wicked prevail, crime increases; but their downfall the just will behold.
17 Correct your son, and he will bring you comfort, and give delight to your soul.
18 Without prophecy the people become demoralized; but happy is he who keeps the law.
19 By words no servant can be trained; for he understands what is said, but obeys not.
20 Do you see a man hasty in his words? More can be hoped for from a fool!
21 If a man pampers his servant from childhood, he will turn out to be stubborn.
22 An ill-tempered man stirs up disputes, and a hotheaded man is the cause of many sins.
23 Man's pride causes his humiliation, but he who is humble of spirit obtains honor.
24 The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy: he hears himself put under a curse, yet discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the LORD is safe.
26 Many curry favor with the ruler, but the rights of each are from the LORD.
27 The evildoer is an abomination to the just, and he who walks uprightly is an abomination to the wicked.

Proverbs 30

1 The words of Agur, son of Jakeh the Massaite: The pronouncement of mortal man: I am not God; I am not God, that I should prevail.
2 Why, I am the most stupid of men, and have not even human intelligence;
3 Neither have I learned wisdom, nor have I the knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down again--who has cupped the wind in his hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak--who has marked out all the ends of the earth? What is his name, what is his son's name, if you know it?
5 Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Add nothing to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be exposed as a deceiver.
7 Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die:
8 Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; (provide me only with the food I need;)
9 Lest, being full, I deny you, saying, Who is the LORD? Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God.
10 Slander not a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you have to pay the penalty.
11 There is a group of people that curses its father, and blesses not its mother.
12 There is a group that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not purged of its filth.
13 There is a group--how haughty their eyes! how overbearing their glance!
14 There is a group whose incisors are swords, whose teeth are knives, Devouring the needy from the earth, and the poor from among men.
15 The two daughters of the leech are, Give, Give. Three things are never satisfied, four never say, Enough!
16 The nether world, and the barren womb; the earth, that is never saturated with water, and fire, that never says, Enough!
17 The eye that mocks a father, or scorns an aged mother, Will be plucked out by the ravens in the valley; the young eagles will devour it.
18 Three things are too wonderful for me, yes, four I cannot understand:
19 The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a rock, The way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats, wipes her mouth, and says, I have done no wrong.
21 Under three things the earth trembles, yes, under four it cannot bear up:
22 Under a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is glutted with food;
23 Under an odious woman when she is wed, and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress.
24 Four things are among the smallest on the earth, and yet are exceedingly wise:
25 Ants--a species not strong, yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 Rock-badgers--a species not mighty, yet they make their home in the crags;
27 Locusts--they have no king, yet they migrate all in array;
28 Lizards--you can catch them with your hands, yet they find their way into king's palaces.
29 Three things are stately in their stride, yes, four are stately in their carriage:
30 The lion, mightiest of beasts, who retreats before nothing;
31 The strutting cock, and the he-goat, and the king at the head of his people.
32 If you have foolishly been proud or presumptuous--put your hand on your mouth;
33 For the stirring of milk brings forth curds, and the stirring of anger brings forth blood.

Proverbs 31

1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa. The advice which his mother gave him:
2 What, my son, my first-born! what, O son of my womb; what, O son of my vows!
3 Give not your vigor to women, nor your strength to those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine; strong drink is not for princes!
5 Lest in drinking they forget what the law decrees, and violate the rights of all who are in need.
6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the sorely depressed;
7 When they drink, they will forget their misery, and think no more of their burdens.
8 Open your mouth in behalf of the dumb, and for the rights of the destitute;
9 Open your mouth, decree what is just, defend the needy and the poor!
10 When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
11 Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
12 She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.
14 Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar.
15 She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household.
16 She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms.
18 She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.
20 She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
21 She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed.
22 She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.
27 She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness.
28 Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:
29 Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.