Wise Ways to Live
131A wise son accepts his father's discipline,
but a scornful son does not listen to a reprimand.
2From the fruit of his mouth a person eats well,
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
3Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life.
Whoever opens his lips carelessly ruins himself.
4The appetite of a lazy person craves things, but he gets nothing.
The appetite of hardworking people is fully satisfied.
5A righteous person hates everything false,
but a wicked person causes disgrace and shame.
6Righteousness guards a person who has integrity,
but wickedness perverts a sinner.
7One person pretends to be rich but has nothing.
Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.
8A man's riches may ransom his life,
but a poor man does not hear a threat.
9The light of the righteous brings joy,
but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10Insolence produces only strife,
but wisdom resides with those who take advice.
11Wealth gained out of thin air[] shrinks, but wealth accumulated by steady work grows.
12Hope delayed makes a heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13The person who despises a word of instruction will pay the price,
but the person who respects a command will be rewarded.
14The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life.
It can turn someone away from the snares of death.
15Good sense yields grace,
but the way of the treacherous is unchanging.[] 16Every sensible person acts with knowledge,
but a fool displays stupidity.
17A wicked[] messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18A person who ignores discipline ends up with poverty and shame,
but one who conforms to correction will be honored.
19A desire that is fulfilled tastes sweet to the soul,
but to fools it is disgusting[] to turn from evil. 20Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.
21Trouble pursues sinners,
but goodness repays the righteous.
22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23The farmland of the poor may produce much food,
but it may be swept away by injustice.
24A person who withholds his rod hates his son,
but one who loves him administers discipline promptly.
25A righteous person eats until his appetite is satisfied,
but the stomach of the wicked is always empty.
