A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
aBut a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 aA man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
3 aHe who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 aThe 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 aRighteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 aThere is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
aBut the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By pride comes nothing but astrife,
But with the well‑advised is wisdom.
11 aWealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But awhen the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
13 He who adespises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
14 aThe law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from bthe snares of death.
15 Good understanding gains afavor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 aEvery prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But aa faithful ambassador brings health.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But ahe 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 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 aEvil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But athe wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
23 aMuch food is in the fallow ground of the poor,
And for lack of justice there is waste.
24 aHe who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
25 aThe righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved.