1 The proverbs of Solomon:+b A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 2 Treasures gained dishonestly profit no one, but righteousness rescues from death. 3 The LORD will not allow a righteous person to starve, but he intentionally ignores the desires of a wicked person. 4 Lazy hands bring poverty, but hard-working hands bring riches. 5 Whoever gathers in the summer is a wise son. Whoever sleeps at harvest time brings shame. 6 Blessings cover the head of a righteous person, but violence covers the mouths of wicked people. 7 The name of a righteous person remains blessed, but the names of wicked people will rot away. 8 The one who is truly wise accepts commands, but the one who talks foolishly will be thrown down headfirst. 9 Whoever lives honestly will live securely, but whoever lives dishonestly will be found out. 10 Whoever winks with his eye causes heartache. The one who talks foolishly will be thrown down headfirst. 11 The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life, but the mouths of wicked people conceal violence. 12 Hate starts quarrels, but love covers every wrong. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of a person who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of one without sense. 14 Those who are wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a stubborn fool invites ruin. 15 The rich person's wealth is his strong city. Poverty ruins the poor. 16 A righteous person's reward is life. A wicked person's harvest is sin. 17 Whoever practices discipline is on the way to life, but whoever ignores a warning strays. 18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips. Whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19 Sin is unavoidable when there is much talk, but whoever seals his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of a righteous person is pure silver. The hearts of wicked people are worthless. 21 The lips of a righteous person feed many, but stubborn fools die because they have no sense. 22 It is the LORD's blessing that makes a person rich, and hard work adds nothing to it. 23 Like the laughter of a fool when he carries out an evil plan, so is wisdom to a person who has understanding. 24 That which wicked people dread happens to them, but the LORD grants the desire of righteous people. 25 When the storm has passed, the wicked person has vanished, but the righteous person has an everlasting foundation. 26 Like vinegar to the teeth, like smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy person to those who send him on a mission. 27 The fear of the LORD lengthens the number of days, but the years of wicked people are shortened. 28 The hope of righteous people leads to joy, but the eager waiting of wicked people comes to nothing. 29 The way of the LORD is a fortress for an innocent person but a ruin to those who are troublemakers. 30 A righteous person will never be moved, but wicked people will not continue to live in the land. 31 The mouth of a righteous person increases wisdom, but a devious tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of a righteous person announce good will, but the mouths of wicked people are devious. GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. | |