1 A wise son listens when his father tells him the right way, but one who laughs at the truth does not listen when strong words are spoken to him.

A wise son -- the instruction of a father, And a scorner -- he hath not heard rebuke.

2 T he one who is careful what he says will have good come to him, but the one who wants to hurt others will have trouble.

From the fruit of the mouth a man eateth good, And the soul of the treacherous -- violence.

3 H e who watches over his mouth keeps his life. He who opens his lips wide will be destroyed.

Whoso is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, Whoso is opening wide his lips -- ruin to him!

4 T he soul of the lazy person has strong desires but gets nothing, but the soul of the one who does his best gets more than he needs.

The soul of the slothful is desiring, and hath not. And the soul of the diligent is made fat.

5 A man who is right with God hates lies, but the actions of a sinful man are hated and he is put to shame.

A false word the righteous hateth, And the wicked causeth abhorrence, and is confounded.

6 W hat is right and good watches over the one whose way is without blame, but sin destroys the sinful.

Righteousness keepeth him who is perfect in the way, And wickedness overthroweth a sin offering.

7 T here is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing. Another pretends to be poor, but has many riches.

There is who is making himself rich, and hath nothing, Who is making himself poor, and wealth abundant.

8 A rich man can use his riches to save his life, but the poor man does not hear strong words spoken to him.

The ransom of a man's life his riches, And the poor hath not heard rebuke.

9 T hose who are right with God are full of light, but the lamp of the sinful will be put out.

The light of the righteous rejoiceth, And the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

10 F ighting comes only from pride, but wisdom is with those who listen when told what they should do.

A vain man through pride causeth debate, And with the counselled wisdom.

11 R iches taken by false ways become less and less, but riches grow for the one who gathers by hard work.

Wealth from vanity becometh little, And whoso is gathering by the hand becometh great.

12 H ope that is put off makes the heart sick, but a desire that comes into being is a tree of life.

Hope prolonged is making the heart sick, And a tree of life the coming desire.

13 H e who hates the Word is under its power, but he who fears the Word will be well paid.

Whoso is despising the Word is destroyed for it, And whoso is fearing the Command is repayed.

14 T he teaching of the wise is a well of life, to save one from the nets of death.

The law of the wise a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.

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

Good understanding giveth grace, And the way of the treacherous hard.

16 E very wise man acts with much learning, but a fool makes his foolish way known.

Every prudent one dealeth with knowledge, And a fool spreadeth out folly.

17 A sinful helper falls into trouble, but a faithful helper brings healing.

A wicked messenger falleth into evil, And a faithful ambassador is healing.

18 H e who will not listen to strong teaching will become poor and ashamed, but he who listens when strong words are spoken will be honored.

Whoso is refusing instruction -- poverty and shame, And whoso is observing reproof is honoured.

19 A desire that is filled is sweet to the soul, but fools hate to give up what is sinful.

A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, And an abomination to fools: Turn from evil.

20 H e who walks with wise men will be wise, but the one who walks with fools will be destroyed.

Whoso is walking with wise men is wise, And a companion of fools suffereth evil.

21 T rouble follows sinners, but good things will be given to those who are right with God.

Evil pursueth sinners, And good recompenseth the righteous.

22 A good man leaves what he owns for his children’s children. The riches of the sinner are stored up for those who are right with God.

A good man causeth sons' sons to inherit, And laid up for the righteous the sinner's wealth.

23 M uch food is in the plowed land of the poor, but it is taken away because of wrong-doing.

Abundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, And substance is consumed without judgment.

24 H e who does not punish his son when he needs it hates him, but he who loves him will punish him when he needs it.

Whoso is sparing his rod is hating his son, And whoso is loving him hath hastened him chastisement.

25 T he man who is right with God has all the food he needs, but the stomach of the sinful man never has enough.

The righteous is eating to the satiety of his soul, And the belly of the wicked lacketh!