8
A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is
1despised.
9
Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.
10
2Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11
3Whoever works his land
4will have plenty of bread,
5but he who follows
6worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12
Whoever is wicked covets
7the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13
An evil man is ensnared
8by the transgression of his lips,
9but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14
From the fruit of his mouth
10a man is satisfied with good,
11and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15
12The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
16
13The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
17
14Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but
15a false witness utters deceit.
18
16There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings
17healing.
19
Truthful lips endure forever, but
18a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20
Deceit is in the heart of
19those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
21
20No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22
21Lying lips are
22an abomination to the LORD,
23but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23
24A prudent man conceals knowledge,
25but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24
26The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be
27put to forced labor.
25
28Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
26
One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
27
29Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
28
30In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.