1The proverbs of Solomon . A wise son maketh a glad father ; But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. 2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing ; But righteousness delivereth from death . 3Jehovah will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish ; But he thrusteth away the desire of the wicked . 4He becometh poor that worketh with a slack hand ; But the hand of the diligent maketh rich . 5He that gathereth in summer is a wise son ; But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
The Value of Wisdom and Hard Work
6Blessings are upon the head of the righteous ; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked . 7The memory of the righteous is blessed ; But the name of the wicked shall rot . 8The wise in heart will receive commandments ; But a prating fool shall fall . 9He that walketh uprightly walketh surely ; But he that perverteth his ways shall be known . 10He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow ; But a prating fool shall fall .
The Power of Words
11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life ; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked . 12Hatred stirreth up strifes ; But love covereth all transgressions . 13In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found ; But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding . 14Wise men lay up knowledge ; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction .
The Consequences of Actions
15The rich man ’s wealth is his strong city : The destruction of the poor is their poverty . 16The labor of the righteous tendeth to life ; The increase of the wicked , to sin . 17He is in the way of life that heedeth correction ; But he that forsaketh reproof erreth . 18He that hideth hatred is of lying lips ; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool . 19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression ; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely . 20The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver : The heart of the wicked is little worth . 21The lips of the righteous feed many ; But the foolish die for lack of understanding . 22The blessing of Jehovah , it maketh rich ; And he addeth no sorrow therewith.
The Path of the Righteous vs. the Wicked
23It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness ; And so is wisdom to a man of understanding . 24The fear of the wicked , it shall come upon him ; And the desire of the righteous shall be granted . 25When the whirlwind passeth , the wicked is no more ; But the righteous is an everlasting foundation . 26As vinegar to the teeth , and as smoke to the eyes , So is the sluggard to them that send him . 27The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days ; But the years of the wicked shall be shortened . 28The hope of the righteous shall be gladness ; But the expectation of the wicked shall perish. 29The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright ; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. 30The righteous shall never be removed ; But the wicked shall not dwell in the land. 31The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom ; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off . 32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable ; But the mouth of the wicked speaketh perverseness.