1  Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but he who ^xhates reproof is stupid.

2  A good man obtains favor from the Lord,

but ^ya man of evil devices he condemns.

3  No one is established by wickedness,

but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

4  ^zAn excellent wife is the crown of her husband,

but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

5  The thoughts of the righteous are just;

the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

6  The words of the wicked ^alie in wait for blood,

but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

7  The wicked are overthrown and are no more,

but ^bthe house of the righteous will stand.

8  A man is commended according to his good sense,

but one of twisted mind is despised.

9  ^cBetter to be lowly and have a servant

than to play the great man and lack bread.

10  Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,

but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

11  ^dWhoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

12  Whoever is wicked ^ecovets the spoil of evildoers,

but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

13  ^fAn evil man is ^gensnared by the transgression of his lips,¹

but the righteous escapes from trouble.

14  ^hFrom the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,

and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.