Solomon’s Sayings

1The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son brings joy to his father,

but a foolish son grieves his mother.

2Nothing good comes from ill-gotten wealth,

but righteousness delivers from death.

3The LORD won’t cause the righteous to hunger,

but he will reject what the wicked crave.

4Lazy hands bring poverty,

but hard-working hands lead to wealth.

5Whoever harvests during summer acts wisely,

but the son who sleeps during harvest is disgraceful.

The Righteous and Wicked Compared

6Blessings comea upon the head of the righteous,

but the wordsb of the wicked conceal violence.

7The reputationc of the righteous leads to blessing,

but the name of the wicked will rot.

8The wise persond accepts commands,

but the chattering fool will be brought down.

9Whoever walks in integrity lives prudently,e

but whoever perverts his way of life will be exposed.

10Those who wink their eyesf are trouble makers,

and the mocking fool will be brought down.g

11What the righteous sayh is a flowing fountain,i

but what the wicked sayj conceals violence.

12Hatred awakens contention,

but love covers all transgressions.

13Wisdom characterizes the speechk of the discerning,

but the rod is for the backs of those lacking discernment.

14Those who are wise store up knowledge,

but when the fool speaks,l destruction is near.

15The rich hide within the fortress that is their wealth,

but the poor are dismayed due to their poverty.

16Honorable wages leadm to life;

the salaries of the wicked, to retribution.

17Whoever heeds correction is on the pathway to life,

but someone who ignores exhortation goes astray.

18Whoever conceals hatred is a deceitful liar,

and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

19Transgression is at work where people talk too much,

but anyone who holds his tongue is prudent.

20What the righteous person saysn is like precious silver;

the thoughts of the wicked are compared to small things.

21What the righteous person sayso nourishes many,

but fools die because they lack discerningp hearts.

22The blessing of the LORD establishes wealth,

and difficulty does not accompany it.

23Just as the fool considers wickedness his joy,

so is wisdom to the discerning man.

24What the wicked fears will come about,

but the longing of the righteous will be granted.

25When the storm ends, the wicked vanish,q

but the righteous person is forever firm.

26As vinegar is to the mouthr and smoke to the eyes,

so is the lazy person to those who send him.

27Fearing the LORD prolongs life,

but the wicked will not live long.

28What the righteous hope for brings joy,

but the expectation of the wicked dies.

29To the upright, the way of the LORD is a place of safety,

but it’s a place of ruin to those who practice evil.

30The righteous will never be overthrown,

but the wicked will never inhabit the land.

31The words of the righteous overflow with wisdom,

but the perverse tongue will be cut out.

32Righteous lips know what is prudent,

but the words of the wicked are perverse.