10
1 The proverbs of Solomon [Peaceable, Recompense].
A wise son makes a glad father;
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
2 Treasures of ethical wickedness profit nothing,
but righteousness delivers from death.
3 Adonai will not allow the soul of the upright to go hungry,
but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
4 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand,
but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son,
but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the upright,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the upright is blessed,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart receives mitzvot ·instructions·,
but a chattering fool will fall.
9 He who walks blamelessly walks surely,
but he who perverts his ways * will be found out.
10 One winking with the eye causes sorrow,
but a chattering fool will fall.
11 The mouth of the upright is a spring of life,
but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all rebellious breaches of relationships. †
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment,
but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city.
The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labor of the upright leads to life.
The increase of the wicked leads to habitual sin ·missing the mark·.
17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction,
but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
18 He who hides hatred has lying lips.
He who utters a slander is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there is no lack of rebellious breach of relationship,
but he who restrains his lips ‡ does wisely.
20 The tongue of the upright is like choice silver.
The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the upright feed many,
but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
22 Adonai’s blessing brings wealth,
and he adds no trouble to it.
23 It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness,
but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.
24 What the wicked fear, will overtake them,
but the desire of the upright will be granted.
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more;
but the upright stand firm forever.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,
so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of Adonai prolongs days,
but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28 The prospect of the upright is joy,
but the hope of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of Adonai is a stronghold to the upright,
but it is a destruction to the workers of vain striving of iniquity.
30 The upright will never be removed,
but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 The mouth of the upright produces wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the upright know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
* 10:9 . Quoted in Acts 13:10 † 10:12 . Quoted in James 5:20; 1 Pet 4:8 ‡ 10:19 . Quoted in James 1:19