2
A good man
1obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns.
3
No one is established by wickedness, but the root of
2the righteous will never be moved.
4
3An excellent wife is
4the crown of her husband, but she who
5brings shame is like
6rottenness in his bones.
5
7The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6
The words of the wicked
8lie in wait for blood, but
9the mouth of the upright delivers them.
7
10The wicked are
11overthrown and are no more,
12but the house of the righteous will stand.
8
A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is
13despised.
9
Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.
10
14Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
11
15Whoever works his land
16will have plenty of bread,
17but he who follows
18worthless pursuits lacks sense.
12
Whoever is wicked covets
19the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.
13
An evil man is ensnared
20by the transgression of his lips,
21but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14
From the fruit of his mouth
22a man is satisfied with good,
23and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
15
24The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
16
25The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
17
26Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but
27a false witness utters deceit.
18
28There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings
29healing.
19
Truthful lips endure forever, but
30a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20
Deceit is in the heart of
31those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
21
32No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
22
33Lying lips are
34an abomination to the LORD,
35but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23
36A prudent man conceals knowledge,
37but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24
38The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be
39put to forced labor.
25
40Anxiety 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
41Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.
28
42In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.