17 One who (A)is on the path of life follows instruction,
But one who ignores a rebuke goes astray.
18 One (B)who conceals hatred has lying lips,
And one who spreads slander is a fool.
19 When there are (C)many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable,
But (D)one who restrains his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the righteous is like (E)choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
21 The (F)lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools (G)die for lack of [a]understanding.
22 It is the (H)blessing of the Lord that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.
23 Doing wickedness is like (I)sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a person of understanding.
24 What (J)the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the (K)desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the (L)whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the (M)righteous has an everlasting foundation.
26 Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the [b](N)lazy one to those who send him.
27 The (O)fear of the Lord prolongs [c]life,
But the (P)years of the wicked will be shortened.
28 The (Q)hope of the righteous is gladness,
But the (R)expectation of the wicked perishes.
29 The (S)way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright,
But (T)ruin to the workers of injustice.
30 The (U)righteous will never be shaken,
But (V)the wicked will not live in the land.
31 The (W)mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the (X)perverted tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know (Y)what is acceptable,
But the (Z)mouth of the wicked, what is perverted.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:21 Lit heart
  2. Proverbs 10:26 Lit idle one
  3. Proverbs 10:27 Lit days

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