1 ARST People who drink too much of what can intoxicate them ridicule and fight others; all people who cannot walk properly because they drank too much of what can intoxicate them are very foolish. BSB BSB: Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 ARST When kings are terrifyingly angry, they frighten people like the roaring of young lions{ frightens people}; people who make kings angry cause themselves to die. BSB BSB: The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3 ARST It is honorable to cease arguing with other people, but all foolish people are eager to argue with others. BSB BSB: It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 ARST Lazy farmers do not plow{ their fields} when they should, so when it is time to harvest{ crops}, they look{ for crops in their fields}, but there are none. BSB BSB: The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
5 ARST Discerning what people are thinking about advising{ others} is{ as difficult as} drawing water out of a deep{ well}, but understanding people are able to do so. BSB BSB: The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.
6 ARST Many people claim to be faithful, but very few people act faithfully! BSB BSB: Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?
7 ARST Righteous people behave honestly; God will bless their children. BSB BSB: The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
8 ARST { Ideally,} kings who sit on their thrones in order to judge{ people} discern anything that is evil and remove it{ from their lands}. BSB BSB: A king who sits on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.
9 ARST No one can truthfully say,“I do not think sinfully anymore; I do not sin anymore.” BSB BSB: Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin”?
10 ARST Yahweh detests{ people dishonestly using} differing weights and measurements{ to benefit themselves}. BSB BSB: Differing weights and unequal measures—both are detestable to the LORD.
11 ARST Even young people show people{ who they are} by what they do; how they act shows whether they are innocent and right. BSB BSB: Even a young man is known by his actions—whether his conduct is pure and upright.
12 ARST Yahweh has made both ears with which to hear and eyes with which to see. BSB BSB: Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.
13 ARST If you sleep a lot, you will become poor;{ but} if you stay awake{ and work}, you will have plenty of food. BSB BSB: Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
14 ARST Buyers claim that something is not good at all{ when they are bargaining with you about its price}. But{ after they buy it,} they go and boast{ to their friends about the good price they bought it for}. BSB BSB: “Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.
15 ARST Gold and precious jewels are plentiful, but the knowledgeable things that people say are extremely precious. BSB BSB: There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
16 ARST Take the coats of people who promise to pay a loan for someone whom they do not know. Indeed, hold onto the coats of people who do so for a foreigner. BSB BSB: Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
17 ARST Food people get by deceiving{ others} may taste sweet{ to them}, but what eventually happens to them will be as unpleasant as having a mouth full of stones. BSB BSB: Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
18 ARST What people plan succeeds when others advise them, so let others advise you before you start fighting a war. BSB BSB: Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
19 ARST People who walk around gossiping tell{ others} what is secret, so avoid people who speak carelessly. BSB BSB: He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
20 ARST People who curse their parents{ will die like} an oil lamp that stops burning{ oil} in a totally dark place. BSB BSB: Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
21 ARST What people inherit hastily before the proper time will ultimately not result in{ Yahweh} blessing{ them}. BSB BSB: An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.
22 ARST Do not say that you will harm someone who has harmed you. Rather, wait for Yahweh{ to resolve the matter}, so that he may vindicate you. BSB BSB: Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
23 ARST Yahweh detests{ people dishonestly using} differing weights{ to benefit themselves}. Indeed,{ using} weighing instruments in order to deceive{ others} is very bad. BSB BSB: Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.
24 ARST Yahweh directs what happens to powerful people. So then, people surely cannot comprehend what will happen to them! BSB BSB: A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?
25 ARST It is dangerous for people to declare thoughtlessly that something is holy to Yahweh, and then think about what they have done after they have done so. BSB BSB: It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
26 ARST Wise kings remove wicked people{ from their lands}, and{ they punish them like farmers} crush grain under a threshing wheel. BSB BSB: A wise king separates out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 ARST People’ s spirits are{ like} lamps that Yahweh has given them; they help people discern everything that deeply affects them. BSB BSB: The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.
28 ARST Being faithful and trustworthy makes kings safe. Indeed, being faithful enables them to rule securely. BSB BSB: Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
29 ARST People admire young men because they are strong, but people admire old men because they are wise. BSB BSB: The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair is the splendor of the old.
30 ARST Severely beating people may stop them from acting evilly, and hitting people{ may change} what deeply affects them. BSB BSB: Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.