1Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler;
whoever goes astray because of them is not wise.
2A king’s terrible wrath is like the roaring of a lion;
anyone who provokes him endangers himself.
3Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.
4The slacker does not plow during planting season;
at harvest time he looks, and there is nothing.
5Counsel in a person’s heart is deep water;
but a person of understanding draws it out.
6Many a person proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy person?
7A righteous person acts with integrity;
his children who come after him will be happy.
8A king sitting on a throne to judge
separates out all evil with his eyes.
9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am cleansed from my sin”?
10Differing weights and varying measures —
both are detestable to the Lord.
11Even a young man is known by his actions —
by whether his behavior is pure and upright.
12The hearing ear and the seeing eye —
the Lord made them both.
13Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat.
14“It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.
15There is gold and a multitude of jewels,
but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.
16Take his garment,
for he has put up security for a stranger;
get collateral if it is for foreigners.
17Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person,
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.
18Finalize plans with counsel,
and wage war with sound guidance.
19The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;
avoid someone with a big mouth.
20Whoever curses his father or mother —
his lamp will go out in deep darkness.
21An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.
22Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!”
Wait on the Lord, and he will rescue you.
23Differing weights are detestable to the Lord,
and dishonest scales are unfair.
24Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord,
so how can anyone understand his own way?
25It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly
and later to reconsider his vows.
26A wise king separates out the wicked
and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27The Lord’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life,
searching the innermost parts.
28Loyalty and faithfulness guard a king;
through loyalty he maintains his throne.
29The glory of young men is their strength,
and the splendor of old men is gray hair.
30Lashes and wounds purge away evil,
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.