Bible Browser

Various Sins

21Have you sinned, my child? Do so no more,
   but ask forgiveness for your past sins.
² Flee from sin as from a snake;
   for if you approach sin, it will bite you.
Its teeth are lion’s teeth,
   and can destroy human lives.
³ All lawlessness is like a two-edged sword;
   there is no healing for the wound it inflicts.

⁴ Panic and insolence will waste away riches;
   thus the house of the proud will be laid waste.^*
5 The prayer of the poor goes from their lips to the ears of God,^*
   and his judgement comes speedily.
⁶ Those who hate reproof walk in the sinner’s steps,
   but those who fear the Lord repent in their heart.
⁷ The mighty in speech are widely known;
   when they slip, the sensible person knows it.

⁸ Whoever builds his house with other people’s money
   is like one who gathers stones for his burial mound.^*
9 An assembly of the wicked is like a bundle of tow,
   and their end is a blazing fire.
¹⁰ The way of sinners is paved with smooth stones,
   but at its end is the pit of Hades.

Wisdom and Foolishness

¹¹ Whoever keeps the law controls his thoughts,
   and the fulfilment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
¹² One who is not clever cannot be taught,
   but there is a cleverness that increases bitterness.