The Proverbs of Solomon
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The plans of the heart belong to man,
but l the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
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m All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord n weighs the spirit.
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o Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
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p The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even q the wicked for the day of trouble.
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Everyone who is arrogant in heart is r an abomination to the Lord;
s be assured, he will not go unpunished.
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By t steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by u the fear of the Lord one v turns away from evil.
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When a man's ways please the Lord,
w he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
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x Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
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y The heart of man plans his way,
but z the Lord establishes his steps.
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a An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
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b A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
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It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for c the throne is established by righteousness.
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d Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
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e A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will f appease it.
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g In the light of a king's face there is life,
and his d favor is like h the clouds that bring the spring rain.
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i How much better to get wisdom than j gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than k silver.
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The highway of the upright l turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
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m Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
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n It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to o divide the spoil with the proud.
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Whoever gives thought to the word p will discover good,
and blessed is he q who trusts in the Lord.
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The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech r increases persuasiveness.
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Good sense is s a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
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t The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
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u Gracious words are like v a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and w health to the body.
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There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
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A worker's appetite works for him;
his x mouth urges him on.
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y A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech is like z a scorching fire.
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a A dishonest man spreads strife,
and b a whisperer c separates close friends.
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A man of violence d entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
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Whoever winks his eyes plans e dishonest things;
he who f purses his lips brings evil to pass.
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g Gray hair is h a crown of glory;
it i is gained in a righteous life.
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j Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
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k The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is l from the Lord.
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Cross References
Matthew 10:19 - 20
When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.
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Cross References
Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 30:12
There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.
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Cross References
Proverbs 24:12
If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
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Cross References
Psalms 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in him, and he will act.
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Cross References
Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
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Cross References
Job 21:30
That the evil man is spared in the day of calamity, that he is rescued in the day of wrath?
Exodus 9:16
But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.
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Cross References
Proverbs 6:16 - 17
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
Luke 16:15
And he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:21
Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
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Cross References
Daniel 4:27
Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.
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Cross References
Proverbs 14:16
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:17
The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
Job 28:28
And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'
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Cross References
Genesis 26:28
They said, "We see plainly that the Lord has been with you. So we said, let there be a sworn pact between us, between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you.
2 Chronicles 17:10
And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:16
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:1
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
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Cross References
Proverbs 20:24
A man's steps are from the Lord ; how then can man understand his way?
Psalms 37:23
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.
Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
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Cross References
1 Kings 3:28
And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.
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Cross References
Proverbs 25:5
Take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Proverbs 20:28
Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
Proverbs 29:14
If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
Isaiah 16:5
Then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.
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Cross References
Proverbs 14:35
A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
Proverbs 22:11
He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
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Cross References
Proverbs 19:12
A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
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Cross References
Proverbs 25:15
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
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Cross References
Job 29:24
I smiled on them when they had no confidence, and the light of my face they did not cast down.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:13
Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
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Cross References
Psalms 72:6
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!
Job 29:23
They waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain.
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Cross References
Proverbs 8:10 - 11
Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Proverbs 8:19
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.
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Cross References
Proverbs 3:14
For the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:20
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:6
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
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Cross References
Proverbs 29:23
One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
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Cross References
Exodus 15:9
The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.
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Cross References
Proverbs 19:8
Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.
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Cross References
Psalms 2:12
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
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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
Psalms 37:30
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:26
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.
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Cross References
Psalms 19:10
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
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Cross References
Proverbs 4:22
For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
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Cross References
Ecclesiastes 6:7
All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.
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Cross References
Proverbs 6:12
A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech.
Proverbs 6:14
With perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord.
Proverbs 6:19
A false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
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Cross References
James 3:6
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
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Cross References
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Proverbs 26:20
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
Proverbs 26:22
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
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Cross References
Proverbs 17:9
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
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Cross References
Proverbs 1:10
My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
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Cross References
Proverbs 2:12
Delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech.
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Cross References
Proverbs 6:13
Winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger.
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Cross References
Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
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Cross References
Proverbs 17:6
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
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Cross References
Proverbs 3:1 - 2
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments.
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Cross References
Proverbs 14:29
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 25:28
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
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Cross References
Acts 1:26
And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
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Cross References
Proverbs 29:26
Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.