The collection of Solomon's proverbs begins. A wise son makes a glad father. Righteousness delivers from death, the lazy become poor and the diligent become rich, and love covers all sins. Many sayings contrast the righteous and the wicked.
1 The proverbs of Solomon . A wise son maketh a glad father : but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother .
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death .
3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish : but he casteth away the substance of the wicked .
4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand : but the hand of the diligent maketh rich .
5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son : but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame .
6 Blessings are upon the head of the just : but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked .
7 The memory of the just is blessed : but the name of the wicked shall rot .
8 The wise in heart will receive commandments : but a prating fool shall fall .
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely : but he that perverteth his ways shall be known .
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow : but a prating fool shall fall .
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life : but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked .
12 Hatred stirreth up strifes : but love covereth all sins .
13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found : but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding .
14 Wise men lay up knowledge : but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction .
15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city : the destruction of the poor is their poverty .
16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life : the fruit of the wicked to sin .
17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction : but he that refuseth reproof erreth .
18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips , and he that uttereth a slander , is a fool .
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin : but he that refraineth his lips is wise .
20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver : the heart of the wicked is little worth .
21 The lips of the righteous feed many : but fools die for want of wisdom .
22 The blessing of the LORD , it maketh rich , and he addeth no sorrow with it.
23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief : but a man of understanding hath wisdom .
24 The fear of the wicked , it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted .
25 As the whirlwind passeth , so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation .
26 As vinegar to the teeth , and as smoke to the eyes , so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days : but the years of the wicked shall be shortened .
28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness : but the expectation of the wicked shall perish .
29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright : but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity .
30 The righteous shall never be removed : but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth .
31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom : but the froward tongue shall be cut out .
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable : but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness .