Solomon's Proverbs: The Wise Son

1A wise son makes his father glad: but a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

2Treasures shall not profit the lawless: but righteousness shall deliver from death.

3The Lord will not famish a righteous soul: but he will overthrow the life of the ungodly.

4Poverty brings a man low: but the hands of the vigorous make rich. A son who is instructed shall be wise, and shall use the fool for a servant.

5A wise son is saved from heat: but a lawless son is blighted of the winds in harvest.

6The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.

7The memory of the just is praised; but the name of the ungodly man is extinguished.

8A wise man in heart will receive commandments; but he that is unguarded in his lips shall be overthrown in his perverseness.

9He that walks simply, walks confidently; but he that perverts his ways shall be known.

10He that winks with his eyes deceitfully, procures griefs for men; but he that reproves boldly is a peacemaker.

11There is a fountain of life in the hand of a righteous man; but destruction shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.

12Hatred stirs up strife; but affection covers all that do not love strife.

13He that brings forth wisdom from his lips smites the fool with a rod.

14The wise will hide discretion; but the mouth of the hasty draws near to ruin.

15The wealth of rich men is a strong city; but poverty is the ruin of the ungodly.

16The works of the righteous produce life; but the fruits of the ungodly produce sins.

17Instruction keeps the right ways of life; but instruction unchastened goes astray.

18Righteous lips cover enmity; but they that utter railings are most foolish.

19By a multitude of words thou shalt not escape sin; but if thou refrain thy lips thou wilt be prudent.

20The tongue of the just is tried silver; but the heart of the ungodly shall fail.

21The lips of the righteous know sublime truths: but the foolish die in want.

22The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the righteous; it enriches him, and grief of heart shall not be added to it.

23A fool does mischief in sport; but wisdom brings forth prudence for a man.

24The ungodly is engulphed in destruction; but the desire of the righteous is acceptable.

25When the storm passes by, the ungodly vanishes away; but the righteous turns aside and escapes for ever.

26As a sour grape is hurtful to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so iniquity hurts those that practise it.

27The fear of the Lord adds length of days: but the years of the ungodly shall be shortened.

28Joy rests long with the righteous: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish.

29The fear of the Lord is a strong hold of the saints: but ruin comes to them that work wickedness.

30The righteous shall never fail: but the ungodly shall not dwell in the earth.

31The mouth of the righteous drops wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish.

32The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse.