1Wine is a mocker , strong drink is raging : and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise . 2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion : whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul . 3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife : but every fool will be meddling . 4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold ; therefore shall he beg in harvest , and have nothing. 5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water ; but a man of understanding will draw it out . 6Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness : but a faithful man who can find ? 7The just man walketh in his integrity : his children are blessed after him. 8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes . 9Who can say , I have made my heart clean , I am pure from my sin ? 10Divers weights , and divers measures , both of them are alike abomination to the LORD .
Integrity and Justice
11Even a child is known by his doings , whether his work be pure , and whether it be right . 12The hearing ear , and the seeing eye , the LORD hath made even both of them. 13Love not sleep , lest thou come to poverty ; open thine eyes , and thou shalt be satisfied with bread . 14It is naught , it is naught , saith the buyer : but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth . 15There is gold , and a multitude of rubies : but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel .
The Role of Discipline
16Take his garment that is surety for a stranger : and take a pledge of him for a strange woman . 17Bread of deceit is sweet to a man ; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel . 18Every purpose is established by counsel : and with good advice make war . 19He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets : therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips . 20Whoso curseth his father or his mother , his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness .
The Sovereignty of God
21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning ; but the end thereof shall not be blessed . 22Say not thou, I will recompense evil ; but wait on the LORD , and he shall save thee. 23Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD ; and a false balance is not good . 24Man’s goings are of the LORD ; how can a man then understand his own way ? 25It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy , and after vows to make enquiry . 26A wise king scattereth the wicked , and bringeth the wheel over them. 27The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD , searching all the inward parts of the belly . 28Mercy and truth preserve the king : and his throne is upholden by mercy . 29The glory of young men is their strength : and the beauty of old men is the gray head . 30The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil : so do stripes the inward parts of the belly .