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 treacherous shall eat violence.

3He that guardeth 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 guardeth 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 wealth.

8The ransom of a man's life is his riches: but the poor heareth no threatening.

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

10By pride cometh only contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

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

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

13Whoso despiseth the word bringeth destruction on himself: 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 the treacherous is rugged.

16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge: but a fool spreadeth out folly.

17A wicked messenger falleth into evil: but a faithful ambassador is health.

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

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

20Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise: but the companion of fools shall smart for it.

21Evil pursueth sinners: but the righteous shall be recompensed with good.

22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children; and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.

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.