Solomon's Proverbs Begin
Solomon's own collection starts and the form changes: no more speeches, just paired opposites. The recurring preoccupations are speech and consequence, the mouth that nourishes against the mouth that hides violence, and whether the wealth a person holds actually holds him up.
10 1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. 2Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness rescues from death. 3Our Father will not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. 4Lazy hands make you poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. 5He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a son who brings shame. 6Blessings rest on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 7The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. 8A wise heart accepts commands, but a babbling fool comes to ruin. 9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. 10Whoever winks causes trouble, and a babbling fool comes to ruin. 11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all offenses. 13On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense. 14The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. 15The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; the ruin of the poor is their poverty. 16The wage of the righteous leads to life; the gain of the wicked leads to sin. 17Whoever accepts discipline is on the path to life, but he who ignores correction leads others astray. 18Whoever conceals hatred is a liar, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19Where words are many, sin is never absent; but whoever holds his tongue is wise. 20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. 21The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. 22The blessing of our Father brings wealth, and he adds no sorrow with it. 23Doing wickedness is a game to a fool, but wisdom is the delight of a person of understanding. 24What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25When the storm has passed, the wicked are gone, but the righteous are established forever. 26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. 27The fear of our Father lengthens life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short. 28The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. 29The way of our Father is a refuge for the blameless, but ruin for those who do evil. 30The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not remain in the land. 31The mouth of the righteous yields wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, only what is perverse.
