Loving Correction and Hating Deception
Study note
These proverbs establish that loving correction is a sign of wisdom. A good person earns God's favor, while a person who schemes earns condemnation. The image of a virtuous wife as a crown to her husband shows how a good marriage partner brings honor and respect.
1 If you love to learn, then you love real knowledge. But if you cannot stand being corrected, you are acting foolishly. Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
2 A good person gets a thumbs-up from the Lord, but God condemns anyone who spends their time cooking up evil plans. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 Nobody builds a lasting life on a base of evil. But people who do right have roots so deep they can never be pulled up. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A wife who makes her husband proud is like a crown on his head, but a wife who brings disgrace is like a sickness eating through his bones. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 When good people make plans, those plans are fair and. But the guidance wicked people give is full of deception. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 What the wicked say is designed to trap people, but what honest people say rescues lives. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 Wicked people get knocked down and are gone. But a good person's family keeps standing for many years to come. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 People look up to someone who shows good judgment, but they look down on someone whose thinking is twisted. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
Hard Work and Honest Speech
Study note
Several proverbs here compare hard workers to lazy people, and honest speakers to liars. A righteous person even cares for their animals, showing that character extends to how we treat all creatures. A fool thinks they are always right, but a wise person listens to advice.
9 Being common but having food on the table is better. Do not pretend to be great while your stomach is empty. He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A good person takes care of their animals. But even the nicest thing a wicked person does still has cruelty behind it. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 If you put in the work to farm your land, you will always have plenty to eat. But if you spend your time chasing fantasies, you have no sense. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12 Wicked people are jealous of what other troublemakers get. But the roots of righteous people keep producing good fruit. The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 Evil people get trapped by the sinful things they say. But good people find a way through their problems. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 The good words you speak bring good things your way, and the honest work your hands do comes back to reward you. 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 A fool is sure they are right. But a wise person stops to hear advice from others. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16 When a fool gets annoyed, everyone knows about it immediately. But a wise person can take an insult and let it roll right off. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 Someone who is honest tells the truth when they testify, but a dishonest witness fills the room with lies. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
Words That Heal and Words That Harm
Study note
Reckless words are compared to sword thrusts that wound, while the tongue of the wise brings healing. The Lord hates lying but delights in people who are truthful. A wise person does not show off their knowledge, while a fool broadcasts their foolishness.
18 Careless words can slice as deep as a knife, but words from a wise person bring healing. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 Honest words hold up forever, but lies have an exceedingly short shelf life. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 People who scheme have hearts full of deception, but those who encourage peace end up filled with happiness. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 Good people are kept safe from real harm. But trouble fills every part of the wicked person's life. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 The Lord is disgusted by people who lie, but he takes real pleasure in those who are honest. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 Someone with real wisdom does not show off everything they know. But a fool lets everyone hear their foolishness. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Anxiety, Diligence, and the Path of Life
Study note
The chapter ends with proverbs about the emotional and practical benefits of righteous living. Anxiety weighs a person down, but a kind word lifts them up. The path of righteousness leads to life, with no death along its way.
24 People who work hard end up in leadership positions, but people who are lazy end up being told what to do. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 When worry sits heavy on your heart, it drags you down. But one encouraging word can change everything. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 A righteous person helps their neighbor find the right way, but the road the wicked travel pulls people off course. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 A lazy person will not even cook what they catch. But a hard worker treats every resource as something valuable. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 The path of doing right is the path of life. Walk down it and death is nowhere in sight. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.