The Proverbs of Solomon
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A wise son heeds his father's instruction,
a But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
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b A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
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c He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
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d The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
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A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
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e Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
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f There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
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The ransom of a man's life is his riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.
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The light of the righteous rejoices,
g But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
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By pride comes nothing but h strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.
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i Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
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Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But j when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
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He who k despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
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l The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from m the snares of death.
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Good understanding gains n favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
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o Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.
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A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But p a faithful ambassador brings health.
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Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But q he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
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A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
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He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
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r Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
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A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
But s the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
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t Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor,
And for lack of justice there is waste.
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u He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
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v The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
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Cross References
Isaiah 28:14
Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 28:15
Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:14
A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man's hands will be rendered to him.
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Cross References
Psalms 39:1
I SAID, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.
Proverbs 21:23
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
James 3:2
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:4
He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Proverbs 11:5
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
Proverbs 11:6
The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.
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Cross References
Proverbs 11:24
There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.
Proverbs 12:9
Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
Luke 12:20
"But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'
Luke 12:21
"So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
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Cross References
Job 18:5
The light of the wicked indeed goes out, And the flame of his fire does not shine.
Job 18:6
The light is dark in his tent, And his lamp beside him is put out.
Job 21:17
How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does their destruction come upon them, The sorrows God distributes in His anger?
Proverbs 24:20
For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:2
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death.
Proverbs 20:21
An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end.
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:19
A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
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Cross References
Numbers 15:31
'Because he has despised the word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.'"
2 Chronicles 36:16
But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.
Isaiah 5:24
Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, And the flame consumes the chaff, So their root will be as rottenness, And their blossom will ascend like dust; Because they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
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Cross References
Proverbs 6:22
When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.
Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 22:6
The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.
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Cross References
Psalms 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Proverbs 3:4
And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
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Cross References
Proverbs 25:13
Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:5
A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
Proverbs 15:31
The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
Proverbs 15:32
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
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Cross References
Psalms 32:10
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.
Isaiah 47:11
Therefore evil shall come upon you; You shall not know from where it arises. And trouble shall fall upon you; You will not be able to put it off. And desolation shall come upon you suddenly, Which you shall not know.
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Cross References
Job 27:16
Though he heaps up silver like dust, And piles up clothing like clay -
Job 27:17
He may pile it up, but the just will wear it, And the innocent will divide the silver.
Proverbs 28:8
One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.
Ecclesiastes 2:26
For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:11
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
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Cross References
Proverbs 19:18
Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.
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Cross References
Psalms 34:10
The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
Proverbs 10:3
The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.