The Proverbs of Solomon
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A wise son hears his father's instruction,
but q a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2
From the fruit of his mouth a man r eats what is good,
but the desire of the treacherous s is for violence.
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t Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
u he who opens wide his lips v comes to ruin.
4
w The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent x is richly supplied.
5
The righteous hates falsehood,
but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
6
y Righteousness guards him whose z way is blameless,
but sin overthrows the wicked.
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a One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
b another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
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The ransom of a man's life is his wealth,
but a poor man c hears no threat.
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d The light of the righteous rejoices,
but e the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
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f By insolence comes nothing but strife,
but with those who take advice is wisdom.
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g Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
h but a desire fulfilled is i a tree of life.
13
Whoever j despises k the word brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment will be l rewarded.
14
The teaching of the wise is m a fountain of life,
that one may n turn away from the snares of death.
15
o Good sense wins p favor,
but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.
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q In everything the prudent acts with knowledge,
r but a fool flaunts his folly.
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A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but s a faithful envoy brings healing.
18
Poverty and disgrace come to him who t ignores instruction,
u but whoever v heeds reproof is honored.
19
w A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
20
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
21
x Disaster pursues sinners,
y but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22
z A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but a the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23
The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through b injustice.
24
c Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
25
d The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
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Cross References
Proverbs 1:22
How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
Psalms 1:1
Book One Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:14
From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
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Cross References
Proverbs 1:31
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
Proverbs 26:6
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
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Cross References
Proverbs 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Proverbs 12:13
An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
James 3:2
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
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Cross References
Proverbs 20:19
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
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Cross References
Proverbs 18:7
A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
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Cross References
Proverbs 6:9 - 11
How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:25
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
Proverbs 11:5 - 6
The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:20
Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:24
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Luke 12:21
So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.
Revelation 3:17
For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
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Cross References
Luke 12:33
Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
2 Corinthians 6:10
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:1
A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
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Cross References
Job 29:3
When his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness.
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Cross References
Job 18:5
Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine.
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Cross References
Proverbs 28:25
A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:2
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.
Proverbs 20:21
An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
Proverbs 21:6
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 28:22
A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:19
A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.
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Cross References
Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
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Cross References
Proverbs 19:16
Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.
Numbers 15:31
Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him.
2 Chronicles 36:16
But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:20
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
Deuteronomy 30:14
But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:21
Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
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Cross References
Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Psalms 18:5
The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.
2 Timothy 2:26
And they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
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Cross References
Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Psalms 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
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Cross References
Proverbs 3:4
So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 22:1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
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Cross References
Proverbs 18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Ecclesiastes 10:3
Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
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Cross References
Proverbs 25:13
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Proverbs 14:5
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:5
A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
Proverbs 15:31 - 32
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:5
A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:31
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
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Cross References
Psalms 11:6
Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
Psalms 32:10
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:13
Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
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Cross References
Ezra 9:12
Therefore do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.
Psalms 37:25
I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.
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Cross References
Proverbs 28:8
Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
Job 27:16 - 17
Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:8
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
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Cross References
Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.
Proverbs 22:15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13 - 14
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
Proverbs 29:15
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:3
The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.