Chapter text
World English Bible
Verse-by-verse text with stable anchors, canonical chapter URLs, and copyable verse links.
- 1 A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
- 2 By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful crave violence.
- 3 He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
- 4 The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
- 5 A righteous man hates lies, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
- 6 Righteousness guards the way of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
- 7 There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
- 8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.
- 9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
- 10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.
- 11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
- 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
- 13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command will be rewarded.
- 14 The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
- 15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
- 16 Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
- 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
- 18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, but he who heeds correction shall be honored.
- 19 Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
- 20 One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
- 21 Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.
- 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
- 23 An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
- 24 One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
- 25 The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.