Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
1 A wise son heedsandaccepts [and is the result of] his father’s disciplineandinstruction,
But a scoffer does not listen to reprimandanddoes not learn from his errors.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good,
But the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
3 The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life;
The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.
4 The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition],
But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is richandabundantly supplied.
5 A righteous man hates lies,
But a wicked man is loathsome, and he acts shamefully.
6 Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless,
But wickedness underminesandoverthrows the sinner.
7 There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing at all;
Anotherpretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 The ransom for a man’s life is his wealth,
But the poor man does not even have to listen to a rebukeorthreats [from the envious].
9 The light of the righteous [within him–grows brighter and] rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked [is a temporary light and] goes out.
10 Through prideandpresumption come nothing but strife,
But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.
11 Wealthobtainedby fraud dwindles,
But he who gathers gradually by [honest] labor will increase [his riches].
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises the wordandcounsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself,
But he who [reverently] fearsandrespects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountainandsource of life,
So that one may avoid the snares of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor [from others],
But the way of the unfaithful is hard [like barren, dry soil].
16 Every prudentandself-disciplined man acts with knowledge,
But a [closed-minded] fool [who refuses to learn] displays his foolishness [for all to see].
17 A wicked messenger falls into hardship,
But a faithful ambassador brings healing.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who refuses instructionanddiscipline,
But he who acceptsandlearns from reprooforcensure is honored.
19 Desire realized is sweet to the soul;
But it is detestable to fools to turn away from evil [which they have planned].
20 He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise,
But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.
21 Adversity pursues sinners,
But the [consistently] upright will be rewarded with prosperity.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.
23 Abundant food is in the fallow (uncultivated) ground of the poor,
But [without protection] it is swept away by injustice.
24 He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplinesandtrains him diligentlyandappropriately [with wisdom and love].
25 The [consistently] righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
But the stomach of the wicked is in need [of bread].