Proverbs 10

²Things gained through cheating or wrongdoing help no one in the end. But doing what is right before God delivers you from real harm.

³God will not let the righteous person go hungry — He takes care of them! But the wicked person's gains will not last.

⁴A lazy person who puts in little effort ends up with little. But the person who works hard and diligently will see their efforts grow!

⁵The child who works when the work needs to be done is wise — they gather when the harvest is ready! But sleeping through the important moment brings shame.

⁶The person who lives rightly has blessings raining down on their head! But the wicked person's own harmful words cover and ruin them.

⁷When a righteous person is remembered, their memory is a blessing to everyone who knew them. But the wicked person is forgotten — or remembered badly.

⁸A person who is truly wise in their heart will gladly receive God's instructions. But the person who just keeps chattering without listening will stumble.

⁹The person who walks with honesty and integrity walks securely — they have nothing to worry about! But the person who twists and hides their ways will eventually be found out.

¹⁰The person who gives deceptive winks — who sends secret, dishonest signals — causes real pain. And the one who only chatters on will come to ruin.

¹¹The words of a righteous person are like a well of fresh, life-giving water — they refresh and nourish everyone! But the wicked person's words only bring harm.

¹²Hate causes fights to grow bigger and bigger. But love covers over wrongs — it chooses kindness even when things go wrong!

¹³When someone truly understands, their lips speak wisdom — it just comes out naturally. But the person who lacks understanding needs correction to learn.

¹⁴Wise people store up knowledge — they keep learning and holding onto what they know. But the foolish person's mouth gets them into trouble!

¹⁵Wealth can feel like a strong city — like protection. But poverty can feel like it breaks everything down. This is how life works in the world.

¹⁶The work of a righteous person grows toward life and goodness. But everything the wicked person produces only leads to more sin.

¹⁷The person who holds onto instruction is on the road to life — they are going the right way! But the one who refuses correction wanders off the path.

¹⁸Pretending to be friendly while secretly hating someone is foolish — and so is spreading bad stories about people. Both are the actions of a fool.

¹⁹The more you talk and talk without stopping, the more likely you are to say something wrong! But the person who is careful with their words is truly wise.

²⁰The words of a righteous person are like precious silver — valuable and beautiful. But the heart of the wicked produces nothing of real worth.

²¹The righteous person's words feed and nourish many people — like a good meal for their souls! But fools, having rejected wisdom, end up starved of the very thing they needed.

²²The blessing that comes from God — true blessing — makes you rich in the best way. And the wonderful thing is: His blessing brings no sadness or regret with it!

²³A foolish person thinks causing trouble is fun — like a game! But a person of true understanding chooses wisdom instead.

²⁴The very things the wicked person dreads will come to them. But the righteous person's deepest wishes and desires — God will grant them!

²⁵The wicked person is swept away like a storm that comes and goes in an instant. But the righteous person is like an everlasting foundation — solid, lasting, and sure!

²⁶A lazy person sent on an errand is like vinegar on your teeth or smoke in your eyes — unpleasant, irritating, and not at all helpful!

²⁷Loving and respecting God adds more days to your life! But the wicked person's years are cut short.

²⁸The hopes of the righteous person will come true and bring gladness! But the wicked person's expectations will melt away.

²⁹God's way is like a source of strength for the person who walks uprightly — it makes them strong! But for the person doing wrong, the same road is their undoing.

³⁰The righteous person is permanently established — they will never be uprooted! But the wicked will not have a lasting home in the earth.

³¹The mouth of the just person brings forth wisdom — it grows and produces like a good fruit tree! But the twisted, dishonest tongue leads only to being silenced.

³²The righteous person's lips know what is good and right to say — they choose words that are acceptable and kind. But the wicked person speaks twisted, harmful things.