Proverbs

A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

1A wise son listens when his father teaches him. But a person who mocks others will not listen when he is corrected.

2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

2Good words bring a person good things. But people who break faith only hunger for violence.

3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

3The person who guards what he says protects his own life. The one who talks without thinking ruins himself.

4The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

4The lazy person wants things but ends up with nothing. The hard worker gets everything he needs.

5A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

5A person who does right hates lies. But the wicked bring shame and disgrace on themselves.

6Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

6Doing what is right keeps an honest person safe. Doing wrong tears down the one who sins.

7There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

7One person acts rich but owns nothing. Another acts poor but has great wealth.

8The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

8A rich man may have to pay money to save his life. A poor man never even hears such a threat.

Note"The poor heareth not rebuke" means a poor person never gets threatened this way, because he has no money worth demanding.

9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

9The light of good people shines bright. But the lamp of the wicked is put out.

10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

10Pride causes nothing but fights. Wisdom belongs to those who take good advice.

11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

11Money gotten by cheating slips away. Money earned by hard work keeps growing.

12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

12Waiting and waiting for something makes the heart sick. But getting it is like a tree that gives life.

13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

13The person who sneers at good teaching pays for it. The one who respects a command is rewarded.

14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

14What wise people teach is like a fresh spring of water. It leads a person away from deadly traps.

15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

15Good sense makes people like you. But the road of those who break faith is rough.

16Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

16A careful person thinks before he acts. A fool puts his foolishness on display.

17A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

17A messenger who cannot be trusted lands in trouble. A messenger who can be trusted brings healing.

18Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

18The person who ignores correction ends up poor and ashamed. The one who listens to it is honored.

19The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

19Getting what you longed for feels sweet. But fools hate the thought of turning away from evil.

20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

20Spend time with wise people and you will grow wise. Spend it with fools and you will be ruined.

21Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

21Trouble chases after people who do wrong. But good things come back to those who do right.

22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

22A good man leaves something behind for his grandchildren. And the sinner's money ends up with people who do right.

23Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

23The field of a poor man can grow plenty of food. But without fair treatment, it is all swept away.

Note"Want of judgment" here means the lack of fair, honest treatment from others, not a poor decision by the farmer.

24He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

24The father who never corrects his son does not really love him. The one who loves him corrects him early.

Note"Betimes" is an old word meaning early, or without delay.

25The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

25People who do right eat until they are full. But the wicked go hungry.