The Proverbs of Solomon
1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is his mother’s grief. 2Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness rescues from death. 3Yahweh does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thrusts away the craving of the wicked. 4A slack hand makes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5The one who gathers in summer is a prudent son; the one who sleeps through harvest is a son who brings shame. 6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 7The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8The wise in heart accept commandments, but the senseless babbler comes to ruin. 9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever makes his ways crooked will be found out. 10Whoever winks the eye causes grief, and the senseless babbler comes to ruin. 11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers over all offenses. 13On the lips of the discerning wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense. 14The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the senseless is ruin close at hand. 15The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; the ruin of the poor is their poverty. 16The wages of the righteous lead to life; the earnings of the wicked, to sin.
The Lips of the Righteous
17Whoever keeps discipline is on the path to life, but whoever abandons reproof leads others astray. 18Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19When words are many, offense is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. 21The lips of the righteous feed many, but the senseless die for lack of sense. 22The blessing of Yahweh—it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. 23Doing what is vile is like a game to a fool, and so is wisdom to a man of understanding. 24What the wicked man dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25When the storm has passed, the wicked man is no more, but the righteous is a foundation forever. 26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. 27The fear of Yahweh adds days, but the years of the wicked are cut short. 28The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked perishes. 29The way of Yahweh is a stronghold for the person of integrity, but ruin for those who do wrong. 30The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not dwell in the land. 31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the twisted tongue will be cut off. 32The lips of the righteous know what pleases, but the mouth of the wicked, only what is twisted.
