10
1 A wise son makes his father glad: but a foolish son is a grief to his mother. 2 Treasures shall not profit the lawless: but righteousness shall deliver from death. 3 The Lord will not famish a righteous soul: but he will overthrow the life of the ungodly.
4 Poverty brings a man low: but the hands of the vigorous make rich. 4a A son who is instructed shall be wise, and shall use the fool for a servant. 5 A wise son is saved from heat: but a lawless son is blighted of the winds in harvest.
6 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but untimely grief shall cover the mouth of the ungodly. 7 The memory of the just is praised; but the name of the ungodly man is extinguished. 8 A wise man in heart will receive commandments; but he that is unguarded in his lips shall be overthrown in his perverseness. 9 He that walks simply, walks confidently; but he that perverts his ways shall be known. 10 He that winks with his eyes deceitfully, procures griefs for men; but he that reproves boldly is a peacemaker. 11 There is a fountain of life in the hand of a righteous man; but destruction shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.
12 Hatred stirs up strife; but affection covers all that do not love strife. 13 He that brings forth wisdom from his lips smites the *fool with a rod. 14 The wise will hide discretion; but the mouth of the hasty draws near to ruin. 15 The wealth of rich men is a strong city; but poverty is the ruin of the ungodly. 16 The works of the righteous produce life; but the fruits of the ungodly produce sins. 17 Instruction keeps the right ways of life; but instruction unchastened goes astray.
18 Righteous lips cover enmity; but they that utter railings are most foolish. 19 By a multitude of words thou shalt not escape sin; but if thou refrain thy lips thou wilt be prudent. 20 The tongue of the just is tried silver; but the heart of the ungodly shall fail. 21 The lips of the righteous know sublime truths: but the foolish die in want. 22 The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the righteous; it enriches him, and grief of heart shall not be added to it.
23 A fool does mischief in †sport; but wisdom brings forth prudence for a man.
24 The ungodly is engulphed in destruction; but the desire of the righteous is acceptable. 25 When the storm passes by, the ungodly vanishes away; but the righteous turns aside and escapes for ever. 26 As a sour grape is hurtful to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so iniquity hurts those that practise it. 27 The fear of the Lord adds length of days: but the years of the ungodly shall be shortened. 28 Joy rests long with the righteous: but the hope of the ungodly shall perish. 29 The fear of the Lord is a strong hold of the saints: but ruin comes to them that work wickedness.
30 The righteous shall never fail: but the ungodly shall not dwell in the earth. 31 The mouth of the righteous drops wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish. 32 The lips of just men drop grace: but the mouth of the ungodly is perverse.
* 10:13 Lit. heartless man, Hebraism. † 10:23 Gr. laughter.