Study

13. Proverbs of Solomon

    ² From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
   but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

    ³ Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
   but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

    ⁴ A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
   but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

    ⁵ The righteous hate what is false,
   but the wicked make themselves a stench
   and bring shame on themselves.

    ⁶ Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
   but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

    ⁷ One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
   another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

    ⁸ A person’s riches may ransom their life,
   but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

    ⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly,
   but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

    ¹⁰ Where there is strife, there is pride,
   but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

    ¹¹ Dishonest money dwindles away,
   but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

    ¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
   but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

    ¹³ Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
   but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

    ¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
   turning a person from the snares of death.

    ¹⁵ Good judgment wins favor,
   but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction. Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

    ¹⁶ All who are prudent act with Or prudent protect themselves through knowledge,
   but fools expose their folly.

    ¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
   but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

    ¹⁸ Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
   but whoever heeds correction is honored.

    ¹⁹ A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
   but fools detest turning from evil.

    ²⁰ Walk with the wise and become wise,
   for a companion of fools suffers harm.

    ²¹ Trouble pursues the sinner,
   but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

    ²² A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
   but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

    ²³ An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
   but injustice sweeps it away.

    ²⁴ Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
   but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

    ²⁵ The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
   but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.