Proverbs

¹THE PROVERBS of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother. ²Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death. ³The Lord will not allow the [uncompromisingly] righteous to famish, but He thwarts the desire of the wicked. [Ps. 34:9, 10; 37:25.] ⁴He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. ⁵He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. ⁶Blessings are upon the head of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.