1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction and correction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke.

2 A good man eats good from the fruit of his mouth, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.

3 H e who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

4 T he appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is abundantly supplied.

5 A righteous man hates lying and deceit, but a wicked man is loathsome and he comes to shame.

6 R ighteousness (rightness and justice in every area and relation) guards him who is upright in the way, but wickedness plunges into sin and overthrows the sinner.

7 O ne man considers himself rich, yet has nothing; another man considers himself poor, yet has great riches.

8 A rich man can buy his way out of threatened death by paying a ransom, but the poor man does not even have to listen to threats.

9 T he light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out shortly.

10 B y pride and insolence comes only contention, but with the well-advised is skillful and godly Wisdom.

11 W ealth won in haste or unjustly or from the production of things for vain or detrimental use will dwindle away, but he who gathers little by little will increase.

12 H ope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

13 W hoever despises the word and counsel brings destruction upon himself, but he who fears and respects the commandment is rewarded.

14 T he teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.

15 G ood understanding wins favor, but the way of the transgressor is hard.

16 E very prudent man deals with knowledge, but a fool exposes and flaunts his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador brings healing.

18 P overty and shame come to him who refuses instruction and correction, but he who heeds reproof is honored.

19 S atisfied desire is sweet to a person; therefore it is hateful and exceedingly offensive to fools to give up evil.

20 H e who walks with wise men is wise, but he who associates with fools is shall smart for it.

21 E vil pursues sinners, but the consistently upright and in right standing with God is recompensed with good.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, and the wealth of the sinner into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up.

23 M uch food is in the tilled land of the poor, but there are those who are destroyed because of injustice.

24 H e who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early.

25 T he righteous eats to his own satisfaction, but the stomach of the wicked is in want.