Roots That Hold
1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates reproof is a brute. 2A good man obtains favor from Yahweh, but a man of schemes he condemns. 3No one is made secure by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be shaken. 4A woman of strength is her husband’s crown, but one who brings shame is like rot in his bones. 5The thoughts of the righteous are just; the guidance of the wicked is deceit. 6The words of the wicked are an ambush for blood, but the mouth of the upright rescues them. 7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. 8A man is praised according to his good sense, but one with a warped heart is despised. 9Better to be lightly regarded and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. 10The righteous cares for the life of his animal, but the compassion of the wicked is cruel. 11Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but whoever chases empty things lacks sense. 12The wicked man covets the catch of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit. 13In the offense of the lips is an evil snare, but the righteous escapes from trouble. 14From the fruit of his mouth a man is filled with good, and the work of a man’s hands comes back to him.
Words That Heal and Words That Wound
15The way of the senseless is right in his own eyes, but the wise man listens to advice. 16The senseless shows his anger at once, but the shrewd man covers over an insult. 17Whoever breathes out faithfulness declares what is right, but a false witness, deceit. 18There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who counsel peace have joy. 21No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with evil. 22Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who act faithfully are his delight. 23A shrewd man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. 24The hand of the diligent will rule, but slackness ends in forced labor. 25Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up. 26The righteous shows his neighbor the way, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27The slack man does not roast his game, but the diligent man has precious wealth. 28In the path of righteousness is life, and along its pathway there is no death.
