Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son

1A wise son gladdens the father. Yet truly, a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

2Treasures of impiety will profit nothing. Truly, justice shall liberate from death.

3The Lord will not afflict with famine the soul of the just, and he will overthrow the treacheries of the impious.

4The neglectful hand has wrought destitution. But the hand of the steadfast prepares riches. He who advances by lies, this one feeds on the wind. For he is the same as one who runs after flying birds.

5He who gathers the harvest is a wise son. But he who snores in warm weather is a son of confusion.

6The blessing of the Lord is on the head of the just. But iniquity covers the mouth of the impious.

7The remembrance of the just is with praises. And the name of the impious shall decay.

8The wise of heart accept precepts. The foolish are cut down by the lips.

9He who walks in simplicity walks in confidence. But he who corrupts his ways shall be discovered.

10He who winks with the eye gives sorrow. And the foolish in lips shall be beaten.

11The mouth of the just is a vein of life. And the mouth of the impious covers iniquity.

12Hatred rises up from disputes. And charity covers all offenses.

13In the lips of the wise, wisdom is discovered. And a rod is for the back of one who lacks heart.

14The wise store away knowledge. But the mouth of the foolish is a neighbor to confusion.

15The substance of the rich is the city of his strength. The fear of the poor is their destitution.

16The work of the just is unto life. But the fruit of the impious is unto sin.

17The way of life is for those who observe discipline. But whoever abandons correction wanders astray.

18Lying lips conceal hatred; whoever brings forth contempt is unwise.

19In a multitude of speaking, sin will not be lacking. But whoever tempers his lips is most prudent.

20The tongue of the just is choice silver. But the heart of the impious is exchanged for nothing.

21The lips of the just instruct many. But those who are unlearned shall die in destitution of heart.

22The blessing of the Lord causes riches. Affliction will not be a companion to them.

23The foolish work wickedness as if in jest. But wisdom is prudence to a man.

24What the impious fear will overwhelm them. The just shall be given their desire.

25Like a passing tempest, so the impious one will be no more. But the just one is like an everlasting foundation.

26Like vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so is a lazy one to those who sent him.

27The fear of the Lord adds days. And the years of the impious will be shortened.

28The expectation of the just is rejoicing. But the hope of the impious will perish.

29The strength of the simple is the way of the Lord, and it is fear to those who work evil.

30The just in eternity shall not be moved. But the impious will not live upon the earth.

31The mouth of the just shall bring forth wisdom. The tongue of the depraved will perish.

32The lips of the just consider what is acceptable. And the mouth of the impious considers perversities.