The Upright and the Wicked Contrasted

101 The Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivereth from death. 3 Jehovah suffereth not the soul of the righteous [man] to famish; but he repelleth the craving of the wicked.

4 He cometh to want that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

6 Blessings are upon the head of a righteous [man]; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.

7 The memory of the righteous [man] shall be blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot.

8 The wise in heart receiveth commandments; but a prating fool shall fall.

9 He that walketh in integrity walketh securely; but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

10 He that winketh with the eye causeth grief, and a prating fool shall fall.

11 The mouth of a righteous [man] is a fountain of life; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all transgressions.

13 In the lips of an intelligent [man] wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

14 The wise lay up knowledge; but the mouth of the fool is near destruction.

15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labour of a righteous [man] [tendeth] to life; the revenue of a wicked [man], to sin.

17 Keeping instruction is the path to life; but he that forsaketh reproof goeth astray.

18 He that covereth hatred hath lying lips, and he that sendeth forth a slander is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that restraineth his lips doeth wisely.

20 The tongue of the righteous [man] is [as] choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of a righteous [man] feed many; but fools die for want of understanding.

22 The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow to it.

23 It is as sport to a foolish [man] to do wickedness; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

24 The fear of a wicked [man], it shall come upon him; but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. 25 As a whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no [more]; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

27 The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 28 The hope of the righteous is joy; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

29 The way of Jehovah is strength to the perfect [man], but destruction to the workers of iniquity. 30 The righteous [man] shall never be moved; but the wicked shall not inhabit the land.

31 The mouth of a righteous [man] putteth forth wisdom; but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32 The lips of a righteous [man] know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked is frowardness.

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, forget not my teaching, and let thy heart observe my commandments; 2 for length of days, and years of life, and peace shall they add to thee. 3 Let not loving-kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart: 4 and thou shalt find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence; 6 in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil: 8 it shall be health for thy navel, and moisture for thy bones. 9 Honour Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase; 10 so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine. 11 My son, despise not the instruction of Jehovah, neither be weary of his chastisement; 12 for whom Jehovah loveth he chasteneth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the gain thereof is better than the gain of silver, and her revenue than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not equal unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is he that retaineth her. 19 Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

21 My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble; 24 when thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid, but thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh; 26 for Jehovah shall be thy confidence, and he will keep thy foot from being taken.

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give, when thou hast it by thee. 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 31 Envy not the man of violence, and choose none of his ways. 32 For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; but his secret is with the upright. 33 The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous. 34 He indeed scorneth the scorners; but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35 The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of the foolish.