13¹ A wise child accepts a parent's discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.

² Wise words will win you a good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

³ Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

⁴ Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

⁵ The godly hate lies; the wicked cause shame and disgrace.

⁶ Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin.

⁷ Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.

⁸ The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won't even get threatened.

⁹ The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

¹⁰ Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.

¹¹ Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.

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

¹³ People who despise advice are asking for trouble; those who respect a command will succeed.

¹⁴ The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

¹⁵ A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.

¹⁶ Wise people think before they act; fools don't-and even brag about their foolishness.

¹⁷ An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.

¹⁸ If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.

¹⁹ It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.

²⁰ Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.

²¹ Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous.

²² Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth passes to the godly.

²³ A poor person's farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.

²⁴ Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

²⁵ The godly eat to their hearts' content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

Exhortations to Obedience

3¹ My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. ² If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. ³ Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. ⁴ Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

⁷ Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. ⁸ Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. ⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. ¹⁰ Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. ¹¹ My child, don't reject the Lord 's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. ¹² For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

¹³ Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. ¹⁴ For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. ¹⁵ Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. ¹⁶ She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. ¹⁷ She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. ¹⁸ Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. ¹⁹ By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens. ²⁰ By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

²¹ My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, ²² for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. ²³ They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. ²⁴ You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. ²⁵ You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, ²⁶ for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them. ²⁸ If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, "Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you." ²⁹ Don't plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. ³⁰ Don't pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm. ³¹ Don't envy violent people or copy their ways. ³² Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly. ³³ The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright. ³⁴ The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. ³⁵ The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!