✧1A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke. ✧2By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence. ✧3He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. ✧4The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied. ✧5A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace. ✧6Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. ✧7There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth. ✧8The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.
World English Bible (WEB). World English Bible (Protestant edition). Public domain.
✧9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
✧10Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.
✧11Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
✧12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
✧13Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
✧14The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
✧15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
✧16Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
✧17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
✧18Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
✧19Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
✧20One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
✧21Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
✧22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
✧23An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
✧24One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
✧25The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.