1 ¶ The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son brings joy to his father: but a foolish son makes his mother sad.

2 ¶ Riches gotten through wickedness profit no one: but righteousness delivers from death.

3 The LORD will not allow a righteous person to starve: but he thwarts the desire of the wicked.

4 ¶ He who works with lazy hands becomes poor: but the hands of busy people make them rich.

5 ¶ The son who gathers during the summer is wise: but the son who sleeps during the harvest brings shame.

6 ¶ Blessings are upon the head of the righteous: but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

7 ¶ The memory of the righteous is blessed: but the name of the wicked will rot.

8 ¶ Those who are wise in heart will do what is commanded: but a back-talking fool will fall.

9 ¶ He who walks uprightly walks securely: but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

10 ¶ He who winks with his eye causes trouble: but a back-talking fool will fall.

11 ¶ The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12 ¶ Hatred stirs up strife: but love covers all offences.

13 ¶ Wisdom will be found on the lips of one who has understanding: but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense.

14 ¶ Wise men store up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish hastens destruction.

15 ¶ The rich man’s wealth is his fortress: but the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

16 ¶ The labor of the righteous leads to life: but the fruit of the wicked to sin.

17 ¶ One who follows instruction is on the path to life: but he who refuses reproof errs.

18 ¶ He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who utters slander, is a fool.

19 ¶ In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking: but he who restrains his lips is wise.

20 ¶ The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver: but the thoughts of the wicked are of little worth.

21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for lack of wisdom.

22 ¶ The blessing of the LORD, makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

23 ¶ A fool regards shameful conduct as sport: but a man of understanding has wisdom.

24 ¶ What the wicked person fears, will happen to him: but what the righteous want will be given to them.

25 A wicked man disappears like a storm that has passed: but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation.

26 ¶ As vinegar is to the mouth, and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

27 ¶ The fear of the LORD prolongs life: but the years of the wicked will be shortened.

28 The hope of the righteous is joy: but the expectation of the wicked will come to nothing.

29 ¶ The way of the LORD is strength and protection for the upright: but destruction for the workers of iniquity.

30 The righteous will never be removed: but the wicked will not inhabit the earth.

31 ¶ The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom: but the perverse tongue will be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.