A wise son makes a father glad,
But a foolish [stubborn] son [who refuses to learn] is a grief to his mother.
² 
Treasures of wickedness and ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness and moral integrity in daily life rescues from death.
³ 
The 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.^(A)
4 
Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes him rich.
⁵ 
He 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.
⁶ 
Blessings are on the head of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God],
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
⁷ 
The ^[b]memory of the righteous [person] is a [source of] blessing,
But the name of the wicked will [be forgotten and] rot [like a corpse].^(B)
8 
The 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.
⁹ 
He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely,
But he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished.
¹⁰ 
He 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.
¹¹ 
The 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.
¹² 
Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults].
¹³ 
On 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.
¹⁴ 
Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart],
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
¹⁵ 
The rich man’s wealth is his fortress;
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.^(C)
16 
The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.^(D)
17 
He 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].
¹⁸ 
He who hides hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.^(E)
19 
When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.
²⁰ 
The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
²¹ 
The lips of the righteous feed and guide many,
But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding.
²² 
The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches,
And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].
²³ 
Engaging 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.
²⁴ 
What the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the desire of the righteous [for the blessings of God] will be granted.
²⁵ 
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.^(F)
26 
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him to work.
²⁷ 
The [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.
²⁸ 
The 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.
²⁹ 
The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the upright,
But it is ruin to those who do evil.
³⁰ 
The [consistently] righteous will never be shaken,
But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.^(G)
31 
The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.
³² 
The lips of the righteous know (speak) what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked knows (speaks) what is perverted (twisted).