A Good Name 1 Brenton A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold. BSB BSB: A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
2 Brenton The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both. BSB BSB: The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
3 Brenton An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished. BSB BSB: The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
4 Brenton The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life. BSB BSB: The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
5 Brenton Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them. BSB BSB: Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
7 Brenton The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters. BSB BSB: The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8 Brenton He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. BSB BSB: He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 Brenton God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works. He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory and honour; but he takes away the life of them that possess them . BSB BSB: A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10 Brenton Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all. BSB BSB: Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
11 Brenton The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips. BSB BSB: He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
12 Brenton But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises wise words. BSB BSB: The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
13 Brenton The sluggard makes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets. BSB BSB: The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
14 Brenton The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. BSB BSB: The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.
15 Brenton Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way. Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are then far from him. BSB BSB: Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Brenton He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less. BSB BSB: Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise Saying 1 17 Brenton Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart, BSB BSB: Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—
18 Brenton that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips. BSB BSB: for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.
19 Brenton That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee. BSB BSB: So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.
20 Brenton And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge. BSB BSB: Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
21 Brenton I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee. BSB BSB: to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
Saying 2 22 Brenton Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless man in the gates. BSB BSB: Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
23 Brenton For the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety. BSB BSB: for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
Saying 3 24 Brenton Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man: BSB BSB: Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
25 Brenton lest thou learn of his ways, and get snares to thy soul. BSB BSB: or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
Saying 4 26 Brenton Become not surety from respect of a man's person. BSB BSB: Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
27 Brenton For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed that is under thee. BSB BSB: If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
Saying 5 28 Brenton Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed. BSB BSB: Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
Saying 6 29 Brenton It is fit that an observant man and one diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men. BSB BSB: Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.