1 W hoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

¶ Whosoever loves chastening loves knowledge, but he that hates reproof is carnal.

2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

¶ The good man shall attain the favour of the LORD, but the man of wicked thoughts he will condemn.

3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

¶ Man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4 A n excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

¶ The virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5 T he thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

¶ The thoughts of the righteous are upright, but the astuteness of the wicked is deceit.

6 T he words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

¶ The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 T he wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.

¶ God shall overthrow the wicked, and they shall not be any longer, but the house of the righteous shall remain.

8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

¶ A man shall be commended according to his wisdom, but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 B etter is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

¶ He that despises himself and becomes a slave is better than he that honours himself and lacks bread.

10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

¶ The righteous is merciful even unto his beast, but the piety of the wicked is cruel.

11 H e who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

¶ He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding.

12 T he wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

¶ The wicked desires the net of evil men, but the root of the righteous shall yield fruit.

13 T he wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.

¶ The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the just shall come out of the tribulation.

14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

¶ Man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 T he way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

¶ The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hears counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.

¶ A fool’s wrath is presently known, but he who covers the injury is sane.

17 H e who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.

¶ He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.

18 T here is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

¶ There are those that speak like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is medicine.

19 T he truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

¶ The lip of truth shall be established for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 D eceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.

¶ Deceit is in the heart of those whose thoughts are evil, but joy in that of those whose thoughts are good.

21 N o grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

¶ No iniquity shall overtake the righteous: but the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22 L ying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

¶ Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but the workers of the truth are his delight.

23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

¶ The sane man conceals his wisdom: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

24 T he hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

¶ The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the negligent shall be under tribute.

25 A nxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

¶ Heaviness in the heart of man makes it stoop: but a good word makes it glad.

26 T he righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

¶ The righteous causes his neighbour to consider: but the way of the wicked causes them to err.

27 T he lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.

¶ The deceitful man does not even roast that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 I n the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

¶ In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.