12  Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but ^ga desire fulfilled is a ^htree of life.

13  Whoever ⁱdespises the word¹ brings destruction on himself,

but he who reveres the commandment² will be rewarded.

14  The teaching of the wise ^jis a fountain of life,

that one may turn away from the snares of death.

15  ^kGood sense wins favor,

but the way of the ^ltreacherous is their ruin.³

16  ^mEvery prudent man acts with knowledge,

ⁿbut a fool flaunts his folly.

17  A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a faithful envoy brings healing.

18  Poverty and ^odisgrace come to him who ^pignores instruction,

but whoever ^qheeds reproof is honored.

19  A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.

20  ^rWhoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

^sbut the ^tcompanion of fools will suffer harm.

21  Disaster⁴ pursues sinners,

but the righteous are rewarded with good.

22  A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,

^ubut the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.

23  The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,

but it is swept away through injustice.

24  ^vWhoever spares the rod hates his son,

^wbut he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.⁵

25  ^xThe righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,

but the belly of the wicked suffers want.