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A Father’s Discipline

¹ A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

² From the fruit of his lips a man will enjoy good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.

³ He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

⁴ The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

⁵ The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

⁶ Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.

⁷ One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

⁸ Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.

⁹ The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

¹⁰ Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

¹¹ Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.

¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

¹³ He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.

¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

¹⁵ Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.

¹⁶ Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.

¹⁸ Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction will be honored.

¹⁹ Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools.

²⁰ He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

²¹ Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.

²² A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.

²³ Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.

²⁴ He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

²⁵ A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.