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A wise son listens to his father’s instruction,
but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.

2 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things;
but the unfaithful crave violence.

3 He who guards his mouth guards his soul.
One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing,
but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

5 A righteous man hates lies,
but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.

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

7 There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing.
There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.

8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
but the poor hear no threats.

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

10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but with ones who take advice is wisdom.

11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,
but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

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

13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command will be rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a spring of life,
to turn from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding wins favor;
but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge,
but a fool exposes folly.

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

18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline,
but he who heeds correction shall be honored.

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

20 One who walks with wise men grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.

21 Misfortune pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.

23 An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields,
but injustice sweeps it away.

24 One who spares the rod hates his son,
but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

25 The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, don’t forget my teaching;
but let your heart keep my commandments: 2 for length of days, and years of life,
and peace, will they add to you. 3 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you.
Bind them around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor,
and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart,
and don’t lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your body,
and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor Yahweh with your substance,
with the first fruits of all your increase: 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline,
neither be weary of his reproof: 12 for whom Yahweh loves, he reproves;
even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gets understanding. 14 For her good profit is better than getting silver,
and her return is better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies.
None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand.
In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness.
All her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
Happy is everyone who retains her. 19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth.
By understanding, he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up,
and the skies drop down the dew.

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes.
Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 so they will be life to your soul,
and grace for your neck. 23 Then you shall walk in your way securely.
Your foot won’t stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear,
neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: 26 for Yahweh will be your confidence,
and will keep your foot from being taken.

27 Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again;
tomorrow I will give it to you,”
when you have it by you. 29 Don’t devise evil against your neighbor,
seeing he dwells securely by you. 30 Don’t strive with a man without cause,
if he has done you no harm. 31 Don’t envy the man of violence.
Choose none of his ways. 32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh,
but his friendship is with the upright. 33 Yahweh’s curse is in the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the habitation of the righteous. 34 Surely he mocks the mockers,
but he gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise will inherit glory,
but shame will be the promotion of fools.