1
A wise son hears his father's instruction, but
1a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2
From the fruit of his mouth a man
2eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous
3is for violence.
3
4Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
5he who opens wide his lips
6comes to ruin.
4
7The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent
8is richly supplied.
5
The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
6
9Righteousness guards him whose
10way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.
7
11One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
12another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8
The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man
13hears no threat.
9
14The light of the righteous rejoices, but
15the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10
16By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11
17Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
18but a desire fulfilled is
19a tree of life.
13
Whoever
20despises
21the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be
22rewarded.
14
The teaching of the wise is
23a fountain of life, that one may
24turn away from the snares of death.