² A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

³ A man is not established by wickedness,
But the ^(A)root of the righteous cannot be moved.

^4 (B)An^[a] excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is ^(C)like rottenness in his bones.

⁵ The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
^6 (D)The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,”
^(E)But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

^7 (F)The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.

⁸ A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
^(G)But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

^9 (H)Better is the one who is ^[b]slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

^10 (I)A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

^11 (J)He who ^[c]tills his land will be satisfied with ^(K)bread,
But he who follows ^[d]frivolity ^(L)is devoid of ^[e]understanding.

¹² The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
^13 (M)The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
^(N)But the righteous will come through trouble.
^14 (O)A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
^(P)And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

^15 (Q)The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.
^16 (R)A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.

^17 (S)He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.
^18 (T)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
¹⁹ The truthful lip shall be established forever,
^(U)But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
^21 (V)No grave ^[f]trouble will overtake the righteous,
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
^22 (W)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

^23 (X)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

^24 (Y)The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

^25 (Z)Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But ^(AA)a good word makes it glad.

²⁶ The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

²⁷ The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
But diligence is man’s precious possession.

²⁸ In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.