1 T he sayings of Solomon: A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother.

2 R iches taken by wrong-doing do no good, but doing what is right and good saves from death.

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death.

3 T he Lord will not let those who are right with Him go hungry, but He puts to one side the desire of the sinful.

The Lord will not allow the righteous to famish, but He thwarts the desire of the wicked.

4 H e who works with a lazy hand is poor, but the hand of the hard worker brings riches.

He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

5 A son who gathers in summer is wise, but a son who sleeps during gathering time brings shame.

He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

6 G ood things are given to those who are right with God, but the mouth of the sinful hides trouble.

Blessings are upon the head of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

7 T hose who are right with God are remembered with honor, but the name of the sinful will waste away.

The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked shall rot.

8 T he wise in heart will receive teaching, but a fast talking fool will become nothing.

The wise in heart will accept and obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong.

9 H e who is right in his walk is sure in his steps, but he who takes the wrong way will be found out.

He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out and punished.

10 H e who winks the eye causes trouble, and a fast talking fool will become nothing.

He who winks with the eye causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but he who boldly reproves makes peace.

11 T he mouth of the one who is right with God is a well of life, but the mouth of the sinful hides trouble.

The mouth of the righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12 H ate starts fights, but love covers all sins.

Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.

13 W isdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a stick is for the back of him who has no understanding.

On the lips of him who has discernment skillful and godly Wisdom is found, but discipline and the rod are for the back of him who is without sense and understanding.

14 W ise men store up learning, but the foolish will be destroyed with their mouths.

Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.

15 T he riches of a rich man are his strength, but the need of the poor is what destroys them.

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

16 T he pay earned by those who are right with God is life, but the sinful are paid by being punished.

The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin.

17 H e who listens to teaching is on the path of life, but he who will not listen to strong words goes the wrong way.

He who heeds instruction and correction is in the way of life is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof goes astray causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.

18 H e who hides hate has lying lips, and he who talks to hurt people is a fool.

He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a fool.

19 T he one who talks much will for sure sin, but he who is careful what he says is wise.

In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.

20 T he tongue of those who are right with God is like fine silver, but the heart of the sinful is not worth much.

The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value.

21 T he lips of those who are right with God feed many, but fools die for want of understanding.

The lips of the righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart.

22 T he good that comes from the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow to it.

The blessing of the Lord—it makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

23 D oing wrong is like play to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom.

It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness, but to have skillful and godly Wisdom is pleasure and relaxation to a man of understanding.

24 W hat the sinful man is afraid of will come upon him, and what is wanted by the man who is right with God will be given to him.

The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

25 W hen the storm passes, the sinful man is no more, but the man who is right with God has a place to stand forever.

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous have an everlasting foundation.

26 L ike sour wine to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him.

As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who employ and send him.

27 T he fear of the Lord makes life longer, but the years of the sinful will be cut off.

The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord prolongs one’s days, but the years of the wicked shall be made short.

28 T he hope of those who are right with God is joy, but the hope of the sinful comes to nothing.

The hope of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked (those who are out of harmony with God) comes to nothing.

29 T he way of the Lord is a strong-place to those who are faithful, but it destroys those who do wrong.

The way of the Lord is strength and a stronghold to the upright, but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.

30 T hose who are right with God will never be shaken, but the sinful will not live in the land.

The righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

31 T he mouth of those who are right with God flows with wisdom, but the sinful tongue will be stopped.

The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down.

32 T he lips of those who are right with God speak what is pleasing to others, but the mouth of the sinful speaks only what is bad.

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows what is obstinately willful and contrary.