Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked

1The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son makes a father glad,

But a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.

2Treasures of wickedness and ill-gotten gains do not profit,

But righteousness and moral integrity in daily life rescues from death.

3The LORD will not allow the [a]righteous to hunger [God will meet all his needs],

But He will reject and cast away the craving of the wicked.

4Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,

But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.

5He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely,

But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.

6Blessings are on the head of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God],

But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

7The [b][c]memory of the righteous [person] is a [source of] blessing,

But the name of the wicked will [be forgotten and] rot [like a corpse].

8The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will accept and obey commands (instruction),

But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

9He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely,

But he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished.

10He who [maliciously] winks the eye [of evil intent] causes trouble;

And the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing,

But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence and evil.

12Hatred stirs up strife,

But love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults].

13On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,

But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.

14Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart],

But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

15The rich man’s wealth is his fortress;

The ruin of the poor is their poverty.

16The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life,

The income of the wicked, punishment.

17He who learns from instruction and correction is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing],

But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin].

18He who hides hatred has lying lips,

And he who spreads slander is a fool.

19When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,

But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.

20The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);

The heart of the wicked is worth little.

21The lips of the righteous feed and guide many,

But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding.

22The blessing of the LORD brings [true] riches,

And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].

23Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin],

But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy.

24What the wicked fears will come upon him,

But the desire of the righteous [for the blessings of God] will be granted.

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

But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

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

So is the lazy one to those who send him to work.

27The [reverent] fear of the LORD [worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect] prolongs one’s life,

But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

28The hope of the righteous [those of honorable character and integrity] is joy,

But the expectation of the wicked [those who oppose God and ignore His wisdom] comes to nothing.

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

But it is ruin to those who do evil.

30The [consistently] righteous will never be shaken,

But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.

31The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,

But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

32The lips of the righteous know (speak) what is acceptable,

But the mouth of the wicked knows (speaks) what is perverted (twisted).