A Wise Son Heeds his Father's Instruction

1A wise son [heareth] his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2A man shall eat good by the fruit of [his] mouth: but the soul of the transgressors [shall eat] violence.

3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and [hath] nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5A righteous [man] hateth lying: but a wicked [man] is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

6Righteousness keepeth [him that is] upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7There is that maketh himself rich, yet [hath] nothing: [there is] that maketh himself poor, yet [hath] great riches.

8The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom.

11Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.

13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14The law of the wise [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors [is] hard.

16Every prudent [man] dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open [his] folly.

17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador [is] health.

18Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but [it is] abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20He that walketh with wise [men] shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

21Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

22A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.

23Much food [is in] the tillage of the poor: but there is [that is] destroyed for want of judgment.

24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.