15 Through me kings reign, and rulers decree fair laws.

16 Through me princes rule, so do nobles and all fair judges.

17 I love those who love me.

Those eagerly looking for me will find me.

18 I have riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness.

19 What I produce is better than gold, pure gold.

What I yield is better than fine silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness, on the paths of justice, 21 to give an inheritance to those who love me and to fill their treasuries.

Wisdom as Creator 22 "Yahweh already possessed me long ago, when his way began, before any of his works.

23 I was appointed from everlasting from the first, before the earth began.

24 I was born before there were oceans, before there were springs filled with water.

25 I was born before the mountains were settled in their places and before the hills, 26 when he had not yet made land or fields or the first dust of the world.

27 "When he set up the heavens, I was there.

When he traced the horizon on the surface of the ocean, 28 when he established the skies above, when he determined the currents in the ocean, 29 when he set a limit for the sea so the waters would not overstep his command, when he traced the foundations of the earth, 30 I was beside him as a master craftsman.a I made him happy day after day, I rejoiced in front of him all the time, 31 found joy in his inhabited world, and delighted in the human race.

Wisdom as Lifegiver 32 "Now, sons, listen to me.

Blessed are those who follow my ways.

33 Listen to discipline, and become wise.

Do not leave my ways.

34 Blessed is the person who listens to me, watches at my door day after day, and waits by my doorposts.

35 Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from Yahweh .

36 Whoever sins against me harms himself.

All those who hate me love death."

Wisdom Hosts a Banquet 9 1 Wisdom has built her house.

She has carved out her seven pillars.

2 She has prepared her meat.

She has mixed her wine.

She has set her table.

3 She has sent out her servant girls.

She calls from the highest places in the city, 4 "Whoever is gullible turn in here!"

She says to a person without sense, 5 "Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Stop being gullible and live.

Start traveling the road to understanding."

Wisdom Prolongs Life 7 Whoever corrects a mocker receives abuse.

Whoever warns a wicked person gets hurt.

8 Do not warn a mocker, or he will hate you.

Warn a wise person, and he will love you.

9 Give advice to a wise person, and he will become even wiser.

Teach a righteous person, and he will learn more.

10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom.

The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 You will live longer because of me, and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will help you.

If you mock, you alone will be held responsible.

Stupidity Imitates Wisdom's Banquet 13 The woman Stupidity is loud, gullible, and ignorant.a 14 She sits at the doorway of her house.

She is enthroned on the high ground of the city 15 and calls to those who pass by, those minding their own business, 16 "Whoever is gullible turn in here!"

She says to a person without sense, 17 "Stolen waters are sweet, and food eaten in secret is tasty."

18 But he does not know that the souls of the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell.

10 1 The proverbs of Solomon: A Wise Son Is Righteous A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

2 Treasures gained dishonestly profit no one, but righteousness rescues from death.

3 Yahweh will not allow a righteous person to starve, but he intentionally ignores the desires of a wicked person.

4 Lazy hands bring poverty, but hardworking hands bring riches.

5 Whoever gathers in the summer is a wise son.

Whoever sleeps at harvest time brings shame.

6 Blessings cover the head of a righteous person, but violence covers the mouths of wicked people.

7 The name of a righteous person remains blessed, but the names of wicked people will rot away.

Proverbs Concerning the Mouth 8 The one who is truly wise accepts commands, but the one who talks foolishly will be thrown down headfirst.

9 Whoever lives honestly will live securely, but whoever lives dishonestly will be found out.

10 Whoever winks with his eye causes heartache.

The one who talks foolishly will be thrown down headfirst.

11 The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life, but the mouths of wicked people conceal violence.

12 Hate starts quarrels, but love covers every wrong.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of a person who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of one without sense.

14 Those who are wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a stubborn fool invites ruin.

15 The rich person's wealth is his strong city.

Poverty ruins the poor.

16 A righteous person's reward is life.

A wicked person's harvest is sin.

17 Whoever practices discipline is on the way to life, but whoever ignores a warning strays.

18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips.

Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

19 Sin is unavoidable when there is much talk, but whoever seals his lips is wise.

20 The tongue of a righteous person is pure silver.

The hearts of wicked people are worthless.

21 The lips of a righteous person feed many, but stubborn fools die because they have no sense.

22 It is Yahweh's blessing that makes a person rich, and hard work adds nothing to it.

23 Like the laughter of a fool when he carries out an evil plan, so is wisdom to a person who has understanding.

Righteous People Contrasted to Wicked People 24 That which wicked people dread happens to them, but the LORD grants the desire of righteous people.

25 When the storm has passed, the wicked person has vanished, but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation.

26 Like vinegar to the teeth, like smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy person to those who send him on a mission.

27 The fear of Yahweh lengthens the number of days, but the years of wicked people are shortened.

28 The hope of righteous people leads to joy, but the eager waiting of wicked people comes to nothing.

29 The way of Yahweh is a fortress for an innocent person but a ruin to those who are troublemakers.

30 A righteous person will never be moved, but wicked people will not continue to live in the land.

31 The mouth of a righteous person increases wisdom, but a devious tongue will be cut off.

32 The lips of a righteous person announce good will, but the mouths of wicked people are devious.

The Value of Righteousness 11 1 Dishonest scales are disgusting to Yahweh, but accurate weights are pleasing to him.

2 Arrogance comes, then comes shame, but wisdom remains with humble people.

3 Integrity guides decent people, but hypocrisy leads treacherous people to ruin.

4 Riches are of no help on the day of fury, but righteousness saves from death.

5 The righteousness of innocent people makes their road smooth, but wicked people fall by their own wickedness.

6 Decent people are saved by their righteousness, but treacherous people are trapped by their own greed.

7 At the death of a wicked person, hope vanishes.

Moreover, his confidence in strength vanishes.

8 A righteous person is rescued from trouble, and a wicked person takes his place.

9 With his talk a godless person can ruin his neighbor, but righteous people are rescued by knowledge.

10 When righteous people prosper, a city is glad.

When wicked people die, there are songs of joy.

11 With the blessing of decent people a city is raised up, but by the words of wicked people, it is torn down.

12 A person who despises a neighbor has no sense, but a person who has understanding keeps quiet.

13 Whoever gossips gives away secrets, but whoever is trustworthy in spirit can keep a secret.