By the blessing of the upright a city is raised up,
But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
He who despises his neighbor lacks a heart of wisdom,
But a man of discernment keeps silent.
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
But he who is faithful in spirit conceals a matter.

The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the one with integrity,
But ruin to the workers of iniquity.

He who disciplines a scoffer receives disgrace for himself,
And he who reproves a wicked man receives injury for himself.
Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
Give knowledge to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Make a righteous man know it and he will increase his learning.
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

O simple ones, understand prudence;
And, O fools, understand a heart of wisdom.
Listen, for I will speak noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal upright things.
For my mouth will utter truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straightforward to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.
Take my discipline and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choicest fine gold.
For wisdom is better than pearls;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you.
Keep my commandments and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.

My son, if you have become a guarantor for your neighbor,
Have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger,
If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,
Have been caught with the words of your mouth,
Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;
Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go, humble yourself, and badger your neighbor.
Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;
Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

For the ways of a man are before the eyes of Yahweh,
And He watches all his tracks.
His own iniquities will capture him who is the wicked one,
And with the cords of his sin he will be held fast.
He will die for lack of discipline,
And in the abundance of his folly he will stumble in intoxication.

My son, pay attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them deviate from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart.
For they are life to those who find them
And healing to all his flesh.
Guard your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Put away from you a perverse mouth
And put devious lips far from you.
Let your eyes look directly ahead
And even let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you.
Watch the track of your feet
And all your ways will be established.
Do not turn to the right nor to the left;
Turn your foot from evil.

My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart guard my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
Do not let lovingkindness and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good insight
In the eyes of God and man.

Trust in Yahweh with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.

Honor Yahweh from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will burst with new wine.

My son, do not reject the discipline of Yahweh
Or loathe His reproof,
For whom Yahweh loves He reproves,
Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
To make your ear pay attention to wisdom,
Incline your heart to discernment;
For if you call out for understanding,
Give your voice for discernment;
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of Yahweh
And find the knowledge of God.
For Yahweh gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and discernment.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright,
A shield to those who walk in integrity,
To guard the paths of justice,
And He keeps the way of His holy ones.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice
And equity—every good track.
For wisdom will enter your heart
And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
Discretion will keep you,
Discernment will guard you,
To deliver you from the way of evil