Daily Bible Reading

1He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,

will suddenly be broken beyond healing.

2When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,

but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4By justice a king builds up the land,

but he who exacts gifts tears it down.

5A man who flatters his neighbor

spreads a net for his feet.

6An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,

but a righteous man sings and rejoices.

7A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;

a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.

8Scoffers set a city aflame,

but the wise turn away wrath.

9If a wise man has an argument with a fool,

the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

10Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless

and seek the life of the upright.

11A fool gives full vent to his spirit,

but a wise man quietly holds it back.

12If a ruler listens to falsehood,

all his officials will be wicked.

13The poor man and the oppressor meet together;

the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

14If a king faithfully judges the poor,

his throne will be established forever.

15The rod and reproof give wisdom,

but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

16When the wicked increase, transgression increases,

but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

17Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;

he will give delight to your heart.

18Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,

but blessed is he who keeps the law.

19By mere words a servant is not disciplined,

for though he understands, he will not respond.

20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

21Whoever pampers his servant from childhood

will in the end find him his heir.

22A man of wrath stirs up strife,

and one given to anger causes much transgression.

23One’s pride will bring him low,

but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

24The partner of a thief hates his own life;

he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.

25The fear of man lays a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

26Many seek the face of a ruler,

but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

1Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes

will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.

2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;

when the wicked rule, the people groan.

3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,

but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

4By justice a king gives a country stability,

but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.

5Those who flatter their neighbors

are spreading nets for their feet.

6Evildoers are snared by their own sin,

but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

7The righteous care about justice for the poor,

but the wicked have no such concern.

8Mockers stir up a city,

but the wise turn away anger.

9If a wise person goes to court with a fool,

the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

10The bloodthirsty hate a person of integrity

and seek to kill the upright.

11Fools give full vent to their rage,

but the wise bring calm in the end.

12If a ruler listens to lies,

all his officials become wicked.

13The poor and the oppressor have this in common:

The Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.

14If a king judges the poor with fairness,

his throne will be established forever.

15A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,

but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

16When the wicked thrive, so does sin,

but the righteous will see their downfall.

17Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;

they will bring you the delights you desire.

18Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;

but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

19Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;

though they understand, they will not respond.

20Do you see someone who speaks in haste?

There is more hope for a fool than for them.

21A servant pampered from youth

will turn out to be insolent.

22An angry person stirs up conflict,

and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

23Pride brings a person low,

but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

24The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;

they are put under oath and dare not testify.

25Fear of man will prove to be a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

26Many seek an audience with a ruler,

but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.

27The righteous detest the dishonest;

the wicked detest the upright.