Study Desk

Be wise, my son, and bring my heart joy,^(l) so that I can answer anyone who taunts me.^(m)

A sensible person sees danger and takes cover; the inexperienced keep going and are punished.⁽ⁿ⁾

Take his garment,^[b] for he has put up security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for foreigners.^[c](o)

If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse to him.

An endless dripping on a rainy day and a nagging wife are alike.^(p)

The one who controls her controls the wind and grasps oil with his right hand.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.^[d]

Whoever tends a fig tree^(q) will eat its fruit,^(r) and whoever looks after his master will be honored.

As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.

Sheol and Abaddon^(s) are never satisfied,^(t) and people's eyes are never satisfied.^(u)

A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and a man for the words of his praise.^[e](v)

Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, you will not separate his foolishness from him.^(w)

Know well the condition of your flock,^(x) and pay attention to your herds,

for wealth is not forever;^(y) not even a crown lasts for all time.

When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered in,

lambs will provide your clothing, and goats, the price of a field;

there will be enough goat's milk for your food— food for your household and nourishment for your female servants.^(z)

The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,^(a) but the righteous are as bold as a lion.^(b)

When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,^(c) but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

A destitute leader^[a] who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.^(d)

Those who reject the law praise the wicked,^(e) but those who keep the law battle against them.^(f)

Evil men do not understand justice,^(g) but those who seek the Lord understand everything.^(h)

Better a poor man who lives with integrity⁽ⁱ⁾ than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.^[b](j)

A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.^(k)

Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest^(l) collects it for one who is kind to the poor.^(m)

Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law— even his prayer is detestable.⁽ⁿ⁾

The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit,^(o) but the blameless will inherit what is good.^(p)

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

When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing,^[c] but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves.^(q)

The one who conceals his sins will not prosper,^(r) but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.^(s)

Happy is the one who is always reverent,^(t) but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.^(u)

A wicked ruler over a helpless people^(v) is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.^(w)

A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates dishonest profit prolongs his life.^(x)

A man burdened by bloodguilt^[d] will be a fugitive until death.^(y) Let no one help him.^(z)

The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong^[e] will suddenly fall.^(aa)

The one who works his land will have plenty of food,^(ab) but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.^(ac)

A faithful man will have many blessings,^(ad) but one in a hurry to get rich^(ae) will not go unpunished.

It is not good to show partiality^(af)— yet a man may sin for a piece of bread.^(ag)

A greedy man^[f] is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn't know that poverty will come to him.^(ah)

One who rebukes a person will later find more favor^(ai) than one who flatters^[g] with his tongue.^(aj)

The one who robs his father or mother^(ak) and says, "That's no sin,"^(al) is a companion to a man who destroys.^(am)

A greedy person provokes conflict,^(an) but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.^(ao)

The one who trusts in himself^[h] is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.^(ap)

The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away^[i] will receive many curses.^(aq)

When the wicked come to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous flourish.^(ar)

One who becomes stiff-necked, after many reprimands will be shattered instantly— beyond recovery.^(a)

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan.^(b)

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,^(c) but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.^(d)

By justice a king brings stability to a land,^(e) but a man who demands "contributions"^[a] demolishes it.^(f)

A man who flatters^[b] his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.^(g)

An evil man is caught by sin,^(h) but the righteous one sings and rejoices.⁽ⁱ⁾

The righteous person knows the rights^[c] of the poor,^(j) but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

Mockers inflame a city,^(k) but the wise turn away anger.

If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be ranting and raving but no resolution.^[d](l)

Bloodthirsty men hate an honest person,^(m) but the upright care about him.^[e]

A fool gives full vent to his anger,^[f](n) but a wise man holds it in check.^(o)

If a ruler listens to lies,^(p) all his officials will be wicked.

The poor and the oppressor have this in common:^[g] the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.^(q)

A king who judges the poor with fairness— his throne will be established forever.^(r)

A rod of correction imparts wisdom,^(s) but a youth left to himself^[h] is a disgrace to his mother.^(t)

When the wicked increase, rebellion increases, but the righteous will see their downfall.^(u)

Discipline your son, and it will bring you peace of mind^(v) and give you delight.

Without revelation^[i](w) people run wild,^(x) but one who listens to instruction will be happy.^(y)

A slave cannot be disciplined by words; though he understands, he doesn't respond.^(z)

Do you see a man who speaks too soon?^(aa) There is more hope for a fool than for him.^(ab)

A slave pampered from his youth will become arrogant^[j] later on.

An angry man stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered man^[k] increases rebellion.^(ac)

A person's pride will humble him,^(ad) but a humble spirit will gain honor.^(ae)

To be a thief's partner is to hate oneself; he hears the curse but will not testify.^[l](af)

The fear of man is a snare,^(ag) but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.^[m](ah)

Many seek a ruler's favor,^(ai) but a man receives justice from the Lord .^(aj)

An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.^(ak)

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.^[a](a) The man's oration to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:^[b]

I am more stupid than any other man,^[c] and I lack man's ability to understand.^(b)

I have not gained wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.^(c)

Who has gone up to heaven and come down?^(d) Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak?^(e) Who has established all the ends of the earth?^(f) What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— if you know?^(g)

Every word of God is pure;^[d](h) He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.⁽ⁱ⁾

Don't add to His words,^(j) or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.^(k)

Two things I ask of You; don't deny them to me before I die:

Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need.^(l)

Otherwise, I might have too much^(m) and deny You,⁽ⁿ⁾ saying, "Who is the Lord ?"^(o) or I might have nothing and steal,^(p) profaning^[e] the name of my God.^(q)

Don't slander a servant to his master or he will curse you,^(r) and you will become guilty.

There is a generation that curses its father and does not bless its mother.^(s)

There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,^(t) yet is not washed from its filth.

There is a generation—how haughty its eyes and pretentious its looks.^[f]

There is a generation whose teeth are swords,^(u) whose fangs are knives,^(v) devouring the oppressed from the land^(w) and the needy from among mankind.

The leech has two daughters: "Give, Give!" Three things^(x) are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough!":

Sheol;^(y) a childless womb;^(z) earth, which is never satisfied with water; and fire, which never says, "Enough!"

As for the eye that ridicules a father^(aa) and despises obedience to a mother, may ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures eat it.^(ab)

Three things are beyond me; four I can't understand:

the 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 young woman.

This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, "I've done nothing wrong."^(ac)

The earth trembles under three things; it cannot bear up under four:

a servant when he becomes king,^(ad) a fool when he is stuffed with food,

an unloved woman when she marries,^(ae) and a servant girl when she ousts her queen.

Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:

the ants are not a strong people, yet they store up their food in the summer;^(af)

hyraxes are not a mighty people, yet they make their homes in the cliffs;^(ag)

locusts have no king, yet all of them march in ranks;^(ah)

a lizard^[g] can be caught in your hands, yet it lives in kings' palaces.

Three things are stately in their stride, even four are stately in their walk:

a lion, which is mightiest among beasts and doesn't retreat before anything,

a strutting rooster,^[h] a goat, and a king at the head of his army.^[i]

If you have been foolish by exalting yourself or if you've been scheming, put your hand over your mouth.^(ai)

For the churning of milk produces butter, and twisting a nose draws blood, and stirring up anger produces strife.^(aj)