Lexicon :: Strong's H376 - 'îš

To keep you from the way of evil and the evil man,

From the man who speaks perverse things;

Do not envy a man of violence

And do not choose any of his ways.

For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the LORD,

And He carefully watches all of his paths [all of his comings and goings].

So your poverty will come like an approaching prowler who walks [slowly, but surely]

And your need [will come] like an armed man [making you helpless].

For on account of a prostitute one is reduced to a piece of bread [to be eaten up],

And the immoral woman hunts [with a hook] the precious life [of a man].

“For my husband is not at home.

He has gone on a long journey;

“To you, O men, I call,

And my voice is directed to the sons of men.

Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin],

But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy.

He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,

But a man of understanding keeps silent.

The merciful and generous man benefits his soul [for his behavior returns to bless him],

But the cruel and callous man does himself harm.

A good man will obtain favor from the LORD,

But He will condemn a man who devises evil.

A man will be commended according to his insight and sound judgment,

But the one who is of a perverse mind will be despised.

A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words,

And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him [as a harvest].

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,

But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.

From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good,

But the desire of the treacherous is for violence.

The ransom for a man’s life is his wealth,

But the poor man does not even have to listen to a rebuke or threats [from the envious].

Leave the presence of a [shortsighted] fool,

For you will not find knowledge or hear godly wisdom from his lips.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,

But its end is the way of death.

The backslider in heart will have his fill with his own [rotten] ways,

But a good man will be satisfied with his ways [the godly thought and action which his heart pursues and in which he delights].

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly and without self-control,

And a man of wicked schemes is hated.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.

Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense,

But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].

A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,

And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],

But the LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].

When a man’s ways please the LORD,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,

But a wise man will appease it.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,

But its end is the way of death.

A worthless man devises and digs up evil,

And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.

Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs

Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly.

He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words,

And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];

The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance,

But humility comes before honor.

The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness,

But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it?

A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;

He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words.

The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin,

But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.

Many will seek the favor of a generous and noble man,

And everyone is a friend to him who gives gifts.

Many plans are in a man’s mind,

But it is the LORD’S purpose for him that will stand (be carried out).

It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight],

But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].

A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well,

But a man of understanding draws it out.

Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man,

But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair].

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,

But the LORD weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].

The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked,

But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man;

He who loves and is devoted to [fn]wine and [olive] oil will not become rich.