1 A wise sonheedshis father’s instruction,
# But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit ofhismouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
Buthe who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of a lazymandesires, andhasnothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
5 A righteousmanhates lying,
But a wickedmanis loathsome and comes to shame.
6 Righteousness guardshimwhoseway is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yethasnothing;
Andone who makes himself poor, yethasgreat riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s lifeishis riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
# But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By pride comes nothing butstrife,
But with the well-advisediswisdom.
11 Wealthgainedbydishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
# Butwhenthe desire comes,itisa tree of life.
13 He whodespises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The law of the wiseisa fountain of life,
# To turnoneaway fromthe snares of death.
15 Good understanding gainsfavor,
But the way of the unfaithfulishard.
16 Every prudentmanacts with knowledge,
But a fool lays openhisfolly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
# Buta faithful ambassadorbringshealth.
18 Poverty and shamewillcometo him who disdains correction,
# Buthe who regards a rebuke will be honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
Butitisan abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wisemenwill be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
22 A goodmanleaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
# Butthe wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
23 Much foodisinthe fallowgroundof the poor,
And for lack of justice there is waste.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.