1 Whoever loves discipline loves
knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord
condemns a crafty man.
3 A man cannot be established through wickedness, but
the righteous cannot be uprooted.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice
of the wicked is deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but
the speech of the upright rescues them.
7 Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the
house of the righteous stands firm.
8 A man is praised according to his wisdom, but men
with warped minds are despised.
9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than
pretend to be somebody and have no food.
10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but
he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the
root of the righteous flourishes.
13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a
righteous man escapes trouble.
14 From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with
good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise
man listens to advice.
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent
man overlooks an insult.
17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a
false witness tells lies.
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue
of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue
lasts only a moment.
20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot
evil, but joy for those who promote peace.
21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have
their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men
who are truthful.
23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but
the heart of fools blurts out folly.
24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in
slave labor.
25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word
cheers him up.
26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the
way of the wicked leads them astray.
27 The lazy man does not roast his game, but the
diligent man prizes his possessions.
28 In the way of righteousness there is life; along
that path is immortality.
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