1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favor rather than silver and gold.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
- rather to be chosen H977 (בָּחַר) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
- than great H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
- riches H6239 (עֹשֶׁר) — wealth
- loving H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- favour H2580 (חֵן) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
- rather than silver H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
- and gold H2091 (זָהָב) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
2 The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The rich H6223 (עָשִׁיר) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
- and poor H7326 (רוּשׁ) — to be destitute
- meet together H6298 (פָּגַשׁ) — to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur
- Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- the maker H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
3 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A prudent H6175 (עָרוּם) — cunning (usually in a bad sense)
- foreseeth H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- the evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- and hideth H5641 (סָתַר) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
- himself: but the simple H6612 (פְּתִי) — silly (i.e. seducible)
- pass on H5674 (עָבַר) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation…
- and are punished H6064 (עָנַשׁ) — properly, to urge; by implication, to inflict a penalty, specifically, to fine
4 The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah Is riches, and honor, and life.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- By H6118 (עֵקֶב) — a heel, i.e. (figuratively) the last of anything (used adverbially, for ever); also result, i.e. compensation; and so (adverb with preposition or relatively) on…
- humility H6038 (עֲנָוָה) — condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency)
- the fear H3374 (יִרְאָה) — fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence
- of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- riches H6239 (עֹשֶׁר) — wealth
- and honour H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
- and life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Thorns H6791 (צֵן) — a thorn; hence, a cactus-hedge
- snares H6341 (פַּח) — a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina)
- in the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of the perverse H6141 (עִקֵּשׁ) — distorted; hence, false
- he that doth keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- his soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- shall be far H7368 (רָחַק) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Train up H2596 (חָנַךְ) — properly, to narrow; figuratively, to initiate or discipline
- a child H5288 (נַעַר) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age…
- in the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- he should go H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- and when he is old H2204 (זָקֵן) — to be old
- he will not depart H5493 (סוּר) — to turn off (literally or figuratively)
7 The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The rich H6223 (עָשִׁיר) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
- ruleth H4910 (מָשַׁל) — to rule
- over the poor H7326 (רוּשׁ) — to be destitute
- and the borrower H3867 (לָוָה) — properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (caus.) to lend
- servant H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- to the lender H3867 (לָוָה) — properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form of obligation) or (caus.) to lend
- to the lender H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He that soweth H2232 (זָרַע) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
- iniquity H5766 (עֶוֶל) — (moral) evil
- shall reap H7114 (קָצַר) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
- vanity H205 (אָוֶן) — strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
- and the rod H7626 (שֵׁבֶט) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
- of his anger H5678 (עֶבְרָה) — an outburst of passion
- shall fail H3615 (כָּלָה) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He that hath a bountiful H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- eye H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- shall be blessed H1288 (בָּרַךְ) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
- for he giveth H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- of his bread H3899 (לֶחֶם) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
- to the poor H1800 (דַּל) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin
10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Cast out H1644 (גָּרַשׁ) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
- the scorner H3887 (לוּץ) — properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or (generally) intercede
- and contention H4066 (מָדוֹן) — a contest or quarrel
- shall go out H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
- yea, strife H1779 (דִּין) — judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife
- and reproach H7036 (קָלוֹן) — disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda
- shall cease H7673 (שָׁבַת) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, For the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He that loveth H157 (אָהַב) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
- pureness H2889 (טָהוֹר) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
- pureness H2890 (טְהוֹר) — purity
- of heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- the grace H2580 (חֵן) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
- of his lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
- the king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- his friend H7453 (רֵעַ) — an associate (more or less close)
12 The eyes of Jehovah preserve him that hath knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- preserve H5341 (נָצַר) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
- knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
- and he overthroweth H5557 (סָלַף) — properly, to wrench, i.e. (figuratively) to subvert
- the words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- of the transgressor H898 (בָּגַד) — to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The slothful H6102 (עָצֵל) — indolent
- saith H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- a lion H738 (אֲרִי) — a lion
- without H2351 (חוּץ) — properly, separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors
- I shall be slain H7523 (רָצַח) — properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder
- in H8432 (תָּוֶךְ) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre
- the streets H7339 (רְחֹב) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; He that is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall therein.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- of strange women H2114 (זוּר) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
- a deep H6013 (עָמֹק) — deep (literally or figuratively)
- pit H7745 (שׁוּחָה) — a chasm
- he that is abhorred H2194 (זָעַם) — properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e. to be enraged
- of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- shall fall H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Foolishness H200 (אִוֶּלֶת) — silliness
- bound H7194 (קָשַׁר) — to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league)
- in the heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- of a child H5288 (נַעַר) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age…
- the rod H7626 (שֵׁבֶט) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
- of correction H4148 (מוּסָר) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
- shall drive it far H7368 (רָחַק) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain, And he that giveth to the rich, shall come only to want.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He that oppresseth H6231 (עָשַׁק) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
- the poor H1800 (דַּל) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin
- to increase H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- he that giveth H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- to the rich H6223 (עָשִׁיר) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
- to want H4270 (מַחְסוֹר) — deficiency; hence, impoverishment
17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Bow down H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- thine ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
- and hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- the words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- of the wise H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- and apply H7896 (שִׁית) — to place (in a very wide application)
- thine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- unto my knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- a pleasant thing H5273 (נָעִים) — delightful (objective or subjective, literal or figurative)
- if thou keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- them within H990 (בֶּטֶן) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
- thee; they shall withal H3162 (יַחַד) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
- be fitted H3559 (כּוּן) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, a…
- in thy lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
19 That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- That thy trust H4009 (מִבְטָח) — properly, a refuge, i.e. (objective) security, or (subjective) assurance
- may be in Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- I have made known H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- to thee this day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
20 Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Have not I written H3789 (כָּתַב) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
- to thee H8032 (שִׁלְשׁוֹם) — trebly, i.e. (in time) day before yesterday
- excellent things H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ) — a triple, i.e. (as a musical instrument) a triangle (or perhaps rather three-stringed lute); also (as an indefinite, great quantity) a three-fold measure (perha…
- in counsels H4156 (מוֹעֵצָה) — a purpose
- and knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
21 To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- That I might make thee know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- the certainty H7189 (קֹשֶׁט) — equity (as evenly weighed), i.e. reality
- of the words H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
- of truth H571 (אֶמֶת) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
- that thou mightest answer H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- the words H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
- to them that send H7971 (שָׁלַח) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Rob H1497 (גָּזַל) — to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
- not the poor H1800 (דַּל) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin
- poor H1800 (דַּל) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin
- neither oppress H1792 (דָּכָא) — to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)
- the afflicted H6041 (עָנִי) — depressed, in mind or circumstances
- in the gate H8179 (שַׁעַר) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
23 For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- will plead H7378 (רִיב) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
- their cause H7379 (רִיב) — a contest (personal or legal)
- and spoil H6906 (קָבַע) — to cover, i.e. (figuratively) defraud
- the soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- of those that spoiled H6906 (קָבַע) — to cover, i.e. (figuratively) defraud
24 Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Make no friendship H7462 (רָעָה) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)
- with an angry H639 (אַף) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
- man H1167 (בַּעַל) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
- and with a furious H2534 (חֵמָה) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
- man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- thou shalt not go H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
25 Lest thou learn his ways, And get a snare to thy soul.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Lest thou learn H502 (אָלַף) — hence, to learn (and causatively to teach)
- his ways H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- and get H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- a snare H4170 (מוֹקֵשׁ) — a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for the nose)
- to thy soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
26 Be thou not one of them that strike hands, Or of them that are sureties for debts.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- of them that strike H8628 (תָּקַע) — to clatter, i.e. slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become bondsman b…
- hands H3709 (כַּף) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); fig…
- of them that are sureties H6148 (עָרַב) — to braid, i.e. intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)
- for debts H4859 (מַשָּׁאָה) — a loan
27 If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- If thou hast nothing to pay H7999 (שָׁלַם) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in variou…
- why should he take away H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- thy bed H4904 (מִשְׁכָּב) — a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Remove H5253 (נָסַג) — to retreat
- not the ancient H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…
- landmark H1366 (גְּבוּל) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
- which thy fathers H1 (אָב) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
- have set H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Seest H2372 (חָזָה) — to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of
- thou a man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- diligent H4106 (מָהִיר) — quick; hence, skilful
- in his business H4399 (מְלָאכָה) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
- he shall stand H3320 (יָצַב) — to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
- before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- kings H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- he shall not stand H3320 (יָצַב) — to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue
- mean H2823 (חָשֹׁךְ) — dark (figuratively, i.e. obscure)