Who is a Wise Son?

1A wise son heedsa a father’s correction,

but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

2From the fruit of his words a man receives benefit,b

but the treacherous crave violence.

3Anyone who guards his words protects his life;

anyone who talks too muchc is ruined.

4The lazy person craves, yet receives nothing,

but the desires of the diligent are satisfied.

5A righteous person hates deceit,

but the wicked person is shameful and disgraceful.

6Righteousness protects the blameless,

but wickedness brings downd the sinner.

7One person pretends to be wealthy, but has nothing;

another pretends to be poor, yet is rich.

8The life of a wealthy man may be held for ransom,

but whoever is poor receives no threats.

9The light of the righteous shines,

but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

10Arrogance only brings quarreling,

but those receiving advice are wise.

11Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,

but whoever works diligently increases his prosperity.e

12Delayed hope makes the heart ill,

but fulfilled longing is a tree of life.

13Anyone who despises a word of advice will pay for it,

but whoever heeds a command will be rewarded.

14What the wise have to teach is a fountain of life

and causes someone to avoid the snares of death.

15Good understanding produces grace,

but the lifestyle of the treacherous never changes.f

16Every sensible person acts from knowledge,

but a fool demonstrates folly.

17An evil messenger stumbles into trouble,

but a faithful envoy brings healing.

18Poverty and shame are for those who ignore correction,

but whoever listens to instruction gains honor.

19Fulfilled longing is sweet to the soul,

but avoiding evil is detestable to the fool.

20Whoever keeps company with the wise becomes wise,

but the companion of fools suffers harm.

21Disaster pursues the sinful,

but good will reward the righteous.

22A good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren,

but the wealth of the wicked is reserved for the righteous.

23The field of the poor may produce much food,

but it can be swept away through injustice.

24Whoever does not disciplineg his son hates him,

but whoever loves him is diligent to correct him.

25A righteous person eats to his heart’s content,

but the stomach of the wicked remains hungry.