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

2 F rom the fruit of the mouth a man eateth good, And the soul of the treacherous -- violence.

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

4 T he soul of the slothful is desiring, and hath not. And the soul of the diligent is made fat.

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

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

7 T here is who is making himself rich, and hath nothing, Who is making himself poor, and wealth abundant.

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

9 T he light of the righteous rejoiceth, And the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

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

11 W ealth from vanity becometh little, And whoso is gathering by the hand becometh great.

12 H ope prolonged is making the heart sick, And a tree of life the coming desire.

13 W hoso is despising the Word is destroyed for it, And whoso is fearing the Command is repayed.

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

15 G ood understanding giveth grace, And the way of the treacherous hard.

16 E very prudent one dealeth with knowledge, And a fool spreadeth out folly.

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

18 W hoso is refusing instruction -- poverty and shame, And whoso is observing reproof is honoured.

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

20 W hoso is walking with wise men is wise, And a companion of fools suffereth evil.

21 E vil pursueth sinners, And good recompenseth the righteous.

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

23 A bundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, And substance is consumed without judgment.

24 W hoso is sparing his rod is hating his son, And whoso is loving him hath hastened him chastisement.

25 T he righteous is eating to the satiety of his soul, And the belly of the wicked lacketh!