Dual Panel1THE PROVERBS of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish {and} self-confident son is the grief of his mother.
2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death.
3The Lord will not allow the [uncompromisingly] righteous to famish, but He thwarts the desire of the wicked.
4He becomes poor who works with a slack {and} idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
6Blessings are upon the head of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7The memory of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8The wise in heart will accept {and} obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong.
9He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out {and} punished.
10He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong {but} {he who boldly reproves makes peace}.
11The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.
13On the lips of him who has discernment skillful {and} godly Wisdom is found, but discipline {and} the rod are for the back of him who is without sense {and} understanding.
14Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
15The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin.
17He who heeds instruction {and} correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects {or} refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err {and} is a path toward ruin for others.
18He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool.
19In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.
20The tongues of those who are upright {and} in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked {and} out of harmony with God are of little value.
21The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed {and} guide many, but fools die for want of understanding {and} heart.
22The blessing of the Lord--it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].
23It is as sport to a [self-confident] fool to do wickedness, but to have skillful {and} godly Wisdom is pleasure {and} relaxation to a man of understanding.
24The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be granted.
25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous have an everlasting foundation.
26As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who employ {and} send him.
27The reverent {and} worshipful fear of the Lord prolongs one's days, but the years of the wicked shall be made short.
28The hope of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked (those who are out of harmony with God) comes to nothing.
29The way of the Lord is strength {and} a stronghold to the upright, but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30The [consistently] righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth [eventually].
31The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful {and} godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree].
32The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous know [and therefore utter] what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows [and therefore speaks only] what is obstinately willful {and} contrary.