Proverbs 28–31

1The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

2A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

3A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.

4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.

5Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.

6Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

7A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

8He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

9Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.

10He who leads the upright along the path of evil will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

11A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

13He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

14Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

16A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

17A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

18He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

20A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

21To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.

22A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.

23He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.

24He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.

25A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.

26He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.

27Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

28When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.

1A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.

2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.

5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

6An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.

7The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.

8Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.

9If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.

10Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.

11A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

12If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.

14A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever.

15A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

16When the wicked thrive, rebellion increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.

17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.

18Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.

19A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond.

20Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.

22An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

23A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

24A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath but does not testify.

25The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.

27An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.

1These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh—the burden that this man declared to Ithiel: “I am weary, O God, and worn out.

2Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.

3I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.

4Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— surely you know!

5Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

6Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.

7Two things I ask of You— do not refuse me before I die:

8Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.

9Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.

10Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.

11There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.

12There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.

13There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—

14there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.

15The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’:

16Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’

17As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

18There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand:

19the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a maiden.

20This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’

21Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:

22a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,

23an unloved woman who marries, and a maidservant who supplants her mistress.

24Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise:

25The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;

26the rock badgers are creatures of little power, yet they make their homes in the rocks;

27the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation;

28and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.

29There are three things that are stately in their stride, and four that are impressive in their walk:

30a lion, mighty among beasts, refusing to retreat before anything;

31a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.

32If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth.

33For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”

1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?

3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.

7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.

12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.

13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.

16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.

18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.

22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.

25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:

29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”

30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.