1A wise son pays attention when his father corrects him, but an arrogant person never admits he is wrong.
2Good people will be rewarded for what they say, but those who are deceitful are hungry for violence.
3Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself.
4No matter how much a lazy person may want something, he will never get it. A hard worker will get everything he wants.
5Honest people hate lies, but the words of wicked people are shameful and disgraceful.
6Righteousness protects the innocent; wickedness is the downfall of sinners.
7Some people pretend to be rich, but have nothing. Others pretend to be poor, but own a fortune.
8The rich have to use their money to save their lives, but no one threatens the poor.
9The righteous are like a light shining brightly; the wicked are like a lamp flickering out.
10Arrogance causes nothing but trouble. It is wiser to ask for advice.
11The more easily you get your wealth, the sooner you will lose it. The harder it is to earn, the more you will have.
12When hope is crushed, the heart is crushed, but a wish come true fills you with joy.
13If you refuse good advice, you are asking for trouble; follow it and you are safe.
14The teachings of the wise are a fountain of life; they will help you escape when your life is in danger.
15Intelligence wins respect, but those who can't be trusted are on the road to ruin.13.15 One ancient translation road to ruin; Hebrew permanent road.
16Sensible people always think before they act, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.
17Unreliable messengers cause trouble, but those who can be trusted bring peace.
18Someone who will not learn will be poor and disgraced. Anyone who listens to correction is respected.
19How good it is to get what you want! Stupid people refuse to turn away from evil.
20Keep company with the wise and you will become wise. If you make friends with stupid people, you will be ruined.
21Trouble follows sinners everywhere, but righteous people will be rewarded with good things.
22Good people will have wealth to leave to their grandchildren, but the wealth of sinners will go to the righteous.
23Unused fields could yield plenty of food for the poor, but unjust people keep them from being farmed.13.23 Verse 23 in Hebrew is unclear.
24If you don't punish your son, you don't love him. If you do love him, you will correct him.
25The righteous have enough to eat, but the wicked are always hungry.
Good News Translation® with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Anglicisation © The British and Foreign Bible Society 1976, 1994, 2004.
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