The Proverbs of Solomon

1The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

2Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,

but righteousness delivers from death.

3The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,

but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4A slack hand causes poverty,

but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

5He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,

but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

6Blessings are on the head of the righteous,

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.10:6 Or but violence covers the mouth of the wicked; also verse 11

7The memory of the righteous is a blessing,

but the name of the wicked will rot.

8The wise of heart will receive commandments,

but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

10Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,

and a babbling fool will come to ruin.

11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12Hatred stirs up strife,

but love covers all offences.

13On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,

but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

14The wise lay up knowledge,

but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

15A rich man's wealth is his strong city;

the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

16The wage of the righteous leads to life,

the gain of the wicked to sin.

17Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,

but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,

and whoever utters slander is a fool.

19When words are many, transgression is not lacking,

but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;

the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

21The lips of the righteous feed many,

but fools die for lack of sense.

22The blessing of the LORD makes rich,

and he adds no sorrow with it.10:22 Or and toil adds nothing to it

23Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,

but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

24What the wicked dreads will come upon him,

but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

25When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,

but the righteous is established for ever.

26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

so is the sluggard to those who send him.

27The fear of the LORD prolongs life,

but the years of the wicked will be short.

28The hope of the righteous brings joy,

but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless,

but destruction to evildoers.

30The righteous will never be removed,

but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,

but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,

but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.