He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him];
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],

So you will walk in the way of good men [that is, those of personal integrity, moral courage and honorable character],
And keep to the paths of the righteous.

Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you];
Bind them [securely] around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.

For the devious are repulsive to the Lord;
But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].

Let your eyes look directly ahead [toward the path of moral courage]
And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you [toward the path of integrity].

Do not turn away to the right nor to the left [where evil may lurk];
Turn your foot from [the path of] evil.

Bind them [securely] on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.

“Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness (upright, in right standing with God);
There is nothing contrary to truth or perverted (crooked) in them.

“They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind],
And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.

“Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring wealth and righteousness (right standing with God).

Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser;
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

Blessings are on the head of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God],
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

The memory of the righteous [person] is a [source of] blessing,
But the name of the wicked will [be forgotten and] rot [like a corpse].

On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,
But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.

The wages of the righteous [the upright, those in right standing with God] is [a worthwhile, meaningful] life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.

The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued);
The heart of the wicked is worth little.

The hope of the righteous [those of honorable character and integrity] is joy,
But the expectation of the wicked [those who oppose God and ignore His wisdom] comes to nothing.

Riches will not provide security in the day of wrath and judgment,
But righteousness rescues from death.

He who is steadfast in righteousness attains life,
But he who pursues evil attains his own death.

A man will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the [consistently] righteous will not be moved.

The wicked desire the plunder of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields richer fruit.

The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,
But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.

He who speaks truth [when he testifies] tells what is right,
But a false witness utters deceit [in court].

Adversity pursues sinners,
But the [consistently] upright will be rewarded with prosperity.

He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].

In the mouth of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God] is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise [when they speak with godly wisdom] will protect them.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.

Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.

A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

The Lord is far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them],
But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].

Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income [gained] with injustice.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.

There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].

The first one to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and cross-examines him.

Even a boy is known and distinguished by his acts,
Whether his conduct is pure and right.

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].

The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God),
But to the evildoers it is disaster.

He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

He who sows injustice will reap [a harvest of] trouble,
And the rod of his wrath [with which he oppresses others] will fail.

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.

Do not withhold discipline from the child;
If you swat him with a reed-like rod [applied with godly wisdom], he will not die.

You shall swat him with the reed-like rod
And rescue his life from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).

Yes, my heart will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.

The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.

Do not look at wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the glass,
When it goes down smoothly.

Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous;
Do not destroy his resting place;

He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of people]
Who gives a right and straightforward answer.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn].

Whoever attempts to restrain her [criticism] might as well try to stop the wind,
And grasps oil with his right hand.

The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.