The Wise Words of Solomon
10 These are the ·wise words [proverbs] of Solomon:
Wise ·children [sons] make their father happy,
but foolish ·children [sons] make their mother sad.
2 ·Riches gotten by doing wrong [L The treasures of the wicked] have no value,
but ·right living [righteousness] will save you from death.
3 The Lord does not let ·good [righteous] people ·go hungry [starve],
but he keeps evil people from getting what they want.
4 A ·lazy person will end up [L slack palm makes a person] poor,
but a ·hard worker will become [L determined hand makes a person] rich.
5 Those who gather crops ·on time [L in the summer] are wise,
but those who sleep through the harvest are a disgrace.
6 ·Good [Righteous] people will have rich blessings,
but the mouth of the wicked ·will be overwhelmed by [or conceals] violence.
7 ·Good [Righteous] people will be remembered as a blessing,
but the name of evil people will soon ·be forgotten [L rot].
8 The wise of heart ·do what they are told [L grasps commands],
but ·a talkative fool [L the lips of a fool] will be ruined.
9 ·The honest person will live [L Those who walk in innocence walk] in safety,
but ·the dishonest [L those who twist their path] will be ·caught [found out].
10 A wink may ·get you into [or cause] trouble,
and foolish talk will lead to your ruin.
11 The ·words [L mouth] of a ·good [righteous] person ·give life, like a fountain of water [L is a fountain of life],
but the ·words [L mouth] of the wicked ·contain nothing but [conceals] violence.
12 Hatred stirs up ·trouble [conflict; fights],
but love ·forgives [covers] all wrongs.
13 ·Wise people speak with understanding [L Wisdom is found on understanding lips],
but ·people without wisdom should be punished [L a rod is for the backs of those who lack sense/heart].
14 The wise ·don’t tell [store up; treasure] everything they know,
but the ·foolish talk too much and are ruined [L mouth of a fool means imminent ruin].
15 ·Having lots of money protects the rich [L The wealth of the rich is their strong city],
but having no money ·destroys [is the ruin of] the poor.
16 ·Good [Righteous] people are rewarded with life,
but evil people are paid with punishment.
17 Whoever ·accepts correction [guards instruction/discipline] is on the way to life,
but whoever ·ignores [abandons] correction ·will lead others away from life [L wanders aimlessly].
18 Whoever ·hides [conceals] hate is a liar.
Whoever ·tells lies [spreads slander] is a fool.
19 ·If you talk a lot [L In an abundance of words], ·you are sure to sin [L wickedness does not cease];
if you are wise, you will ·keep quiet [L restrain your lips].
20 The ·words [L tongue] of a ·good [righteous] person ·are like pure [is choice] silver,
but an evil person’s ·thoughts are [L heart is] worth very little.
21 ·Good [Righteous] people’s ·words [L lips] ·will help [L nourish] many others,
but fools will die because they ·don’t have wisdom [lack sense/heart].
22 The Lord’s blessing brings wealth,
and no ·sorrow [trouble] comes with it.
23 A foolish person ·enjoys [makes a sport of] doing wrong,
but a person with understanding enjoys doing what is wise.
24 Evil people will get what they fear most,
but ·good [righteous] people will get what they want most.
25 A ·storm [whirlwind] will blow the evil person away,
but a ·good [righteous] person will always ·be safe [L have a firm foundation].
26 A lazy person affects the one ·he works for [L who sends him]
like vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes [C irritating].
27 Whoever ·respects [fears] the Lord will ·have a long life [L increase his days],
but the ·life [L years] of an evil person will be cut short.
28 A ·good [righteous] person can look forward to happiness,
but ·an evil person can expect nothing [L the hope of an evil person will perish].
29 The path of the Lord ·will protect good people [L is a refuge for the innocent]
but ruin for those who do evil.
30 ·Good [Righteous] people will ·always be safe [L never be shaken],
but evil people will not ·remain [dwell] in the land.
31 ·A good person says wise things [L The mouth of a righteous person flows with wisdom],
but a ·liar’s [perverse person’s] tongue will be ·stopped [L cut off].
32 ·Good people [L The lips of the wise] know the right thing to say,
but [L the mouth of] evil people only tell ·lies [perversities].