1 A wise son—the instruction of a father, || And a scorner—he has not heard rebuke. 2 A man eats good from the fruit of the mouth, || And the soul of the treacherous—violence. 3 Whoever is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, || Whoever is opening wide his lips—ruin to him! 4 The soul of the slothful is desiring, and does not have. And the soul of the diligent is made fat. 5 The righteous hates a false word, || And the wicked causes abhorrence, and is confounded. 6 Righteousness keeps him who is perfect in the way, || And wickedness overthrows a sin offering. 7 There is he who is making himself rich, and has nothing, || Who is making himself poor, and wealth is abundant. 8 The ransom of a man’s life are his riches, || And the poor has not heard rebuke. 9 The light of the righteous rejoices, || And the lamp of the wicked is extinguished. 10 A vain man causes debate through pride, || And wisdom is with the counseled. 11 Wealth from vanity becomes little, || And whoever is gathering by the hand becomes great. 12 Hope prolonged is making the heart sick, || And a tree of life is the coming desire. 13 Whoever is despising the word is destroyed for it, || And whoever is fearing the command is repaid. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, || To turn aside from snares of death. 15 Good understanding gives grace, || And the way of the treacherous is hard. 16 Every prudent one deals with knowledge, || And a fool spreads out folly. 17 A wicked messenger falls into evil, || And a faithful ambassador is healing. 18 Whoever is refusing instruction—poverty and shame, || And whoever is observing reproof is honored. 19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, || And an abomination to fools || Is to turn from evil. 20 Whoever is walking with wise men is wise, || And a companion of fools suffers evil. 21 Evil pursues sinners, || And good repays the righteous. 22 A good man causes sons’ sons to inherit, || And the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. 23 Abundance of food—the tillage of the poor, || And substance is consumed without judgment. 24 Whoever is sparing his rod is hating his son, || And whoever is loving him has hurried his discipline. 25 The righteous is eating to the satiety of his soul, || And the belly of the wicked lacks!