1 W hoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4 A n excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5 T he thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 T he words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 T he wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.

The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 B etter is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 H e who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

12 T he wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 T he wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 T he way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame.

A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

17 H e who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18 T here is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19 T he truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 D eceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.

Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 N o grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

22 L ying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24 T he hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

25 A nxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

26 T he righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

27 T he lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 I n the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.