Wisdom and Wickedness Contrasted

1The person who loves correction loves knowledge,

but anyone who hates a rebuke is stupid.

2The good person will gain favor from the LORD,

but the man who plots evil will be condemned by him.

3A person doesn’t gain security by wickedness,

but the righteous won’t be uprooted.

4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,

but a wifea who puts him to shame is like bone cancer.b

5The plans of the righteous are just,

but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

6The words of the wicked lead toc bloodshed,

but the speech of the upright delivers them.

7After they’re overthrown, the wicked won’t be found,

but the house of the righteous stands firm.

8A man is praised because of his wise words,

but the perverted mindd will be despised.

9It’s better to be unimportant, yet have a servant,

than to pretend to be important, but lack food.

10The righteous person looks out for the welfare of his livestock,

but evene the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

11Whoever tills his soil will have a lot to eat,

but anyone who pursues fantasies lacks sense.f

12The wicked desires what evil people gain,

but the foundationg of the righteous is productive.

13An evil man’s sinful speech ensnares him,

but the righteous person escapes from trouble.

14By his fruitful speech a man can remain satisfied,

and a man’s handiwork will reward him.

15The lifestyle of the fool is right in his own opinion,

but wise is the man who listens to advice.

16The anger of a fool becomes readily apparent,

but the prudent person overlooks an insult.

17The truth teller speaks what is right,

but the false witness speaks what ish deceitful.

18Some speak rashly like the cutting of a sword,

but what the wise say promotes healing.

19A truthful sayingi is trusted forever,

but the liarj only for a moment.

20Deceit is at homek in the heart of those who plan evil,

but those who promote peace rejoice.

21No harm overwhelms the righteous,

but the wicked overflow with trouble.

22Deceitful speech is reprehensible to the LORD,

but those who act faithfully are his delight.

23A prudent man keeps what he knows to himself,l

but the hearts of fools shout forth their foolishness.

24The diligent will take control,

but the lazy will be put to forced labor.

25A person’s anxiety weighs down his heart,

but an appropriate word is encouraging.

26The righteous person is cautious with respect to his neighbor,

but the lifestyle of the wicked leads them astray.

27The lazy person does not roast what he has hunted,

but diligence is one’s most important possession.

28In the pathway to righteousness there is life,

and in that lifestyle there is no death.