The Wise Son
1A wise son heeds a father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the appetite of the treacherous is for violence. 3Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; whoever opens his lips wide brings ruin on himself. 4The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is richly satisfied. 5The righteous hates a lying word, but the wicked man makes himself a stench and a disgrace. 6Righteousness guards the one whose way has integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. 7One man pretends to be rich and has nothing; another pretends to be poor and has great wealth. 8A man’s riches may ransom his life, but the poor man never hears a rebuke. 9The light of the righteous shines bright, but the lamp of the wicked goes out. 10Pride breeds nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who take advice. 11Wealth won in a breath dwindles, but whoever gathers little by little makes it grow.
Hope Deferred
12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13Whoever despises a word will pay for it, but whoever respects a commandment will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one away from the snares of death. 15Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard. 16Every shrewd man acts with knowledge, but a fool spreads out folly. 17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. 18Poverty and shame come to whoever ignores discipline, but whoever heeds reproof is honored. 19A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is an abomination to fools. 20Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools comes to harm. 21Evil pursues sinners, but the righteous are repaid with good. 22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. 23The fallow ground of the poor yields plenty of food, but it is swept away for lack of justice. 24Whoever spares his rod hates his son, but whoever loves him is diligent to discipline him. 25The righteous eats until his appetite is satisfied, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
