1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.

3 H e who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 T he soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

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

6 R ighteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 T here is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

8 T he ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke.

9 T he light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

10 B y pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 W ealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.

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

13 H e who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

14 T he law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

15 G ood understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

16 E very prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador brings health.

18 P overty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 H e who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

21 E vil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

23 M uch food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste.

24 H e who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

25 T he righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.