Proverbs 10
1 The Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
Solomon's proverbs. A wise son makes his father happy, but a stupid son only brings his mother grief.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivereth from death.
Wealth gained through evil does you no good; but living right saves you from death.
3 Jehovah suffereth not the soul of the righteous [man] to famish; but he repelleth the craving of the wicked.
The Lord doesn't let good people go hungry, but he stops the wicked from getting what they want.
4 He cometh to want that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
Lazy hands make you poor, but hard-working hands make you rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
A son who gathers crops during the summer is sensible, but the one who sleeps during harvest brings disgrace.
6 Blessings are upon the head of a righteous [man]; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.
Those who are good are blessed, but what the wicked say hides their violent nature.
7 The memory of the righteous [man] shall be blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot.
The good are remembered as a blessing, but the reputation of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart receiveth commandments; but a prating fool shall fall.
Those who think wisely pay attention to instruction, but a stupid chatterbox ends up in disaster.
9 He that walketh in integrity walketh securely; but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Honest people will live in safety, but those who behave deceitfully will be caught out.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth grief, and a prating fool shall fall.
People who wink slyly cause trouble, but someone who gives a strong rebuke brings peace.
11 The mouth of a righteous [man] is a fountain of life; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.
What good people say is a spring that gives life, but what the wicked say hides their violent nature.
12 Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all transgressions.
Hatred causes conflict, but love covers all wrongs.
13 In the lips of an intelligent [man] wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Wisdom comes from people with good judgment, but stupid people are punished with a rod.
14 The wise lay up knowledge; but the mouth of the fool is near destruction.
Wise people accumulate knowledge, but the chattering of stupid people is a prelude to disaster.
15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
The wealth of the rich provides them protection, while the poverty of the poor ruins them.
16 The labour of a righteous [man] [tendeth] to life; the revenue of a wicked [man], to sin.
If you do right you're rewarded with life, but if you're wicked all you gain is sin.
17 Keeping instruction is the path to life; but he that forsaketh reproof goeth astray.
If you accept instruction, you're on the path to life, but if you reject correction you'll go astray.
18 He that covereth hatred hath lying lips, and he that sendeth forth a slander is a fool.
Anyone who hides their hatred is lying, and anyone who spreads slander is stupid.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that restraineth his lips doeth wisely.
If you talk too much, you'll say something wrong. Be wise and take care what you say.
20 The tongue of the righteous [man] is [as] choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth.
What good people say is like the best silver, but the mind of the wicked isn't worth much.
21 The lips of a righteous [man] feed many; but fools die for want of understanding.
Advice from good people helps feed many others, but stupid people die because they have no sense.
22 The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow to it.
The Lord's blessing makes you rich, and he doesn't add any sadness to accompany it.
23 It is as sport to a foolish [man] to do wickedness; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
Stupid people think it's fun to do wrong, but someone who has wisdom understands what's right.
24 The fear of a wicked [man], it shall come upon him; but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
What the wicked fear will happen to them, while what good people hope for will be granted.
25 As a whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no [more]; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
When the storm hits, the wicked are no more, but the good are safe and secure forever.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
In the same way vinegar irritates the teeth and smoke irritates the eyes, lazy people irritate their employers.
27 The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
Honoring the Lord makes your life longer, but the years the wicked live will be cut short.
28 The hope of the righteous is joy; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
Good people look forward to happiness, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The way of Jehovah is strength to the perfect [man], but destruction to the workers of iniquity.
The way of the Lord protects those who do right, but he destroys those who do evil.
30 The righteous [man] shall never be moved; but the wicked shall not inhabit the land.
The good will never be removed from the land, but the wicked will not remain there.
31 The mouth of a righteous [man] putteth forth wisdom; but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
What good people say produces wisdom, but liars will have their tongues cut out.
32 The lips of a righteous [man] know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked is frowardness.
Good people know the right thing to say, but the wicked always lie.
