1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
Listen to instruction.
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
What I say can provide value. Choose your words wisely.
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
The desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. This is encouraging.
5 The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
I hate it when people lie.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
Following principles and having integrity protect me.
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
I want to be the person who pretends to be poor and has great wealth.
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
Not sure how to interpret. Googling. Rich people have rich people problems and poor people have poor people problems.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
Righteousness will shine.
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Wisdom is found on those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Gather money little by little. Naturally the definition of little is different by each person.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Patience teaches more appreciation.
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
Respect commands and you will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
Wisdom provides life. I wonder why Solomon repeats himself so many times.
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
Good judgement wins favor. Good to know.
16 All who are prudent act with knowledge,
but fools expose their folly.
Prudent people act with knowledge.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
Trustworthy envoy bring healing.
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Listen to correction and be honored.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools detest turning from evil.
This scripture is the same as verse 12.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.
I love this scripture. Birds of a feather flock together.
21 Trouble pursues the sinner,
but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
Righteous are rewarded with good things.
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
A good person leaves an inheritance for their grandchildren. I think this includes family values and other non-material blessings.
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
Not sure what this scripture means either. Googling. Poor people don’t know how to manage the blessings they are received with. I think that makes a lot of sense for people who win the lottery.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
Discipline your children if you love them. I do my best to discipline my child(ren) the best I can.
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Righteous are blessed. Those who are wicked will go hungry.
Practical Action: I seriously need to find people who live the way I want to live.