21:1
My child, have you sinned? Do so no more, and ask forgiveness for your previous faults.
21:2
Flee from sin as from a snake, if you approach it, it will bite you; its teeth are lion's teeth, they take human life away.
21:3
All law-breaking is like a two-edged sword, the wounds it inflicts are beyond cure.
21:4
Terror and violence make havoc of riches, similarly, desolation overtakes the houses of the proud.
21:5
A plea from the mouth of the poor goes straight to the ear of God, whose judgement comes without delay.
21:6
Whoever resents reproof walks in the sinner's footsteps; whoever fears the Lord is repentant of heart.
21:7
The glib speaker is known far and wide, but the wary detects every slip.
21:8
To build your house with other people's money is like collecting stones for your own tomb.
21:9
A meeting of the lawless is like a heap of tow: they will end in a blazing fire.
21:10
The sinner's road is smoothly paved, but it ends at the pit of Sheol.
21:11
Whoever keeps the Law will master his instincts; the fear of the Lord is made perfect in wisdom.
21:12
No one who lacks aptitude can be taught, but certain aptitudes give rise to bitterness.
21:13
The sage's knowledge is as rich as the abyss and his advice is like a living spring.
21:14
The heart of a fool is like a broken jar, it will not hold any knowledge.
21:15
If the educated hears a wise saying, he praises it and caps it with another; if a debauchee hears it, he does not like it and tosses it behind his back.
21:16
The talk of a fool is like a load on a journey, but it is a pleasure to listen to the intelligent.
21:17
The utterance of the shrewd will be eagerly awaited in the assembly, what he says will be given serious consideration.
21:18
The wisdom of a fool is like the wreckage of a house, the knowledge of a dolt is incoherent talk.
21:19
To the senseless fellow instruction is like fetters on the feet, like manacles on the right hand.
21:20
A fool laughs at the top of his voice, but the intelligent quietly smiles.
21:21
To the shrewd instruction is like a golden ornament, like a bracelet on the right arm.
21:22
The step of a fool goes straight into a house, but a person of much experience makes a respectful approach;
21:23
the stupid peeps inside through the door, a well-bred person waits outside.
21:24
Listening at doors is a sign of bad upbringing, the perceptive would be ashamed to do so.
21:25
The lips of gossips repeat the words of others, the words of the wise are carefully weighed.
21:26
The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
21:27
When the godless curses Satan, he is cursing himself.
21:28
The scandal-monger sullies himself and earns the hatred of the neighbourhood.
Previous
Next