Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

From those who leave the paths of uprightness
To walk in the ways of darkness;

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.

For they are life to those who find them
And health to all their body.

“They are all straightforward to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

“I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.

To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.

“But he who sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death.”

Calling to those who pass by,
Who are making their paths straight:

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him.

Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

Through insolence comes nothing but strife,
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

The poor is hated even by his neighbor,
But those who love the rich are many.

Will they not go astray who devise evil?
But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

For the Lord will plead their case
And take the life of those who rob them.

Do not be among those who give pledges,
Among those who become guarantors for debts.

Those who linger long over wine,
Those who go to taste mixed wine.

Deliver those who are being taken away to death,
And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.

My son, fear the Lord and the king;
Do not associate with those who are given to change,

But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But those who keep the law strive with them.

Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all things.

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