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Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked

¹ The ^(C1)proverbs of Solomon:

^(C2)A wise son makes a father glad,
But ^(C3)a foolish stubborn son who refuses to learn is a grief to his mother.

^2 (C1)Treasures of wickedness and ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness and moral integrity in daily life rescues from death.

³ The LORD ^(C1)will not allow the ^(F1)righteous to hunger God will meet all his needs,
But He ^(C2)will reject and cast away the craving of the wicked. ^(VR1)

⁴ Poor is he who works with a negligent and idle hand,
But the ^(C1)hand of the diligent makes him rich.

⁵ He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.

^6 (C1)Blessings are on the head of the righteous the upright, those in right standing with God,
But ^(C2)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

⁷ The ^(F1)(C1)memory of the righteous person is a source of blessing,
But ^(C2)the name of the wicked will be forgotten and rot like a corpse. ^(VR1)

⁸ The ^(C1)wise in heart are willing to learn so they will accept and obey commands (instruction),
But the babbling fool who is arrogant and thinks himself wise will come to ruin.

⁹ He ^(C1)who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely,
But ^(C2)he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished.

¹⁰ He ^(C1)who maliciously winks the eye of evil intent causes trouble;
And the ^(C2)babbling fool who is arrogant and thinks himself wise will come to ruin.

¹¹ The ^(C1)mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing,
But ^(C2)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence and evil.

¹² Hatred stirs up strife,
But ^(C1)love covers and overwhelms all transgressions forgiving and overlooking another's faults.

¹³ On ^(C1)the lips of the discerning, skillful and godly wisdom is found,
But discipline and the ^(C2)rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.

¹⁴ Wise men ^(C1)store up and treasure knowledge in mind and heart,
But with ^(C2)the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

¹⁵ The ^(C1)rich man's wealth is his fortress;
The ^(C2)ruin of the poor is their poverty. ^(VR1)

¹⁶ The ^(C1)wages of the righteous the upright, those in right standing with God is a worthwhile, meaningful life,
The income of the wicked, punishment. ^(VR1)

¹⁷ He who learns from instruction and correction is on ^(C1)the right path of life and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing,
But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin.

¹⁸ He ^(C1)who hides hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool. ^(VR1)

¹⁹ When there are ^(C1)many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But ^(C2)he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.

²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is like ^(C1)precious silver (greatly valued);
The heart of the wicked is worth little.

²¹ The ^(C1)lips of the righteous feed and guide many,
But fools who reject God and His wisdom ^(C2)die for lack of understanding.

²² The ^(C1)blessing of the LORD brings true riches,
And He adds no sorrow to it for it comes as a blessing from God.

²³ Engaging in evil is like ^(C1)sport to the fool who refuses wisdom and chases sin,
But to a man of understanding skillful and godly wisdom brings joy.

²⁴ What the ^(C1)wicked fears will come upon him,
But the ^(C2)desire of the righteous for the blessings of God will be granted.

²⁵ When the ^(C1)whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the ^(C2)righteous has an everlasting foundation. ^(VR1)

²⁶ Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the ^(C1)lazy one to those who send him to work.

²⁷ The reverent ^(C1)fear of the LORD worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect prolongs one's life,
But the ^(C2)years of the wicked will be shortened.

²⁸ The ^(C1)hope of the righteous those of honorable character and integrity is joy,
But the ^(C2)expectation of the wicked those who oppose God and ignore His wisdom comes to nothing.

²⁹ The ^(C1)way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright,
But it is ^(C2)ruin to those who do evil.

³⁰ The consistently ^(C1)righteous will never be shaken,
But ^(C2)the wicked will not inhabit the earth. ^(VR1)

³¹ The ^(C1)mouth of the righteous flows with skillful and godly wisdom,
But the ^(C2)perverted tongue will be cut out.

³² The lips of the righteous know (speak) ^(C1)what is acceptable,
But the ^(C2)mouth of the wicked knows (speaks) what is perverted (twisted).