Proverbs 10
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to 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 delivers from death.
Wealth gained through evil does you no good; but living right saves you from death.
3 Jehovah will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
The Lord doesn't let good people go hungry, but he stops the wicked from getting what they want.
4 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
Lazy hands make you poor, but hard-working hands make you rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
A son who gathers crops during the summer is sensible, but the one who sleeps during harvest brings disgrace.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
Those who are good are blessed, but what the wicked say hides their violent nature.
7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
The good are remembered as a blessing, but the reputation of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.
Those who think wisely pay attention to instruction, but a stupid chatterbox ends up in disaster.
9 He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Honest people will live in safety, but those who behave deceitfully will be caught out.
10 The one who winks with the eye causes trouble, but the one who boldly rebukes makes peace.
People who wink slyly cause trouble, but someone who gives a strong rebuke brings peace.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
What good people say is a spring that gives life, but what the wicked say hides their violent nature.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
Hatred causes conflict, but love covers all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
Wisdom comes from people with good judgment, but stupid people are punished with a rod.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
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 labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
If you do right you're rewarded with life, but if you're wicked all you gain is sin.
17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
If you accept instruction, you're on the path to life, but if you reject correction you'll go astray.
18 He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters 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 is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does 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 is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of 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 the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
Advice from good people helps feed many others, but stupid people die because they have no sense.
22 Jehovah's blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
The Lord's blessing makes you rich, and he doesn't add any sadness to accompany it.
23 It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.
Stupid people think it's fun to do wrong, but someone who has wisdom understands what's right.
24 What the wicked fear, will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
What the wicked fear will happen to them, while what good people hope for will be granted.
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.
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 those who 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 prolongs 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 prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.
Good people look forward to happiness, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
29 The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to evildoers.
The way of the Lord protects those who do right, but he destroys those who do evil.
30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
The good will never be removed from the land, but the wicked will not remain there.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
What good people say produces wisdom, but liars will have their tongues cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
Good people know the right thing to say, but the wicked always lie.
