Hope Deferred, Desire Fulfilled
Money and appetite run through it, from pretending to be rich while owning nothing to fraud that dwindles while slow saving grows. It also names the ache of waiting, since hope deferred makes the heart sick. Companions matter: walk with the wise and become wise.
13 1A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2From the fruit of his mouth a person enjoys good things, but the appetite of the treacherous is for violence. 3Whoever guards his mouth protects his life, but one who opens his lips wide comes to ruin. 4The lazy person craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is richly satisfied. 5The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. 6Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. 7One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. 8A person's wealth may ransom his life, but the poor hears no threat. 9The light of the righteous shines joyfully, but the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. 10Arrogance breeds nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who seek advice. 11Wealth gained by fraud dwindles away, but whoever gathers little by little makes it grow. 12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13Whoever despises the word brings ruin on himself, but the one who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person away from the snares of death. 15Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their undoing. 16Every prudent person acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his foolishness. 17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing. 18Poverty and shame come to whoever ignores discipline, but the one who heeds correction is honored. 19A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning away from evil is detestable to fools. 20Whoever walks with the wise grows wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm. 21Disaster pursues sinners, but good rewards the righteous. 22A good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. 23The unplowed field of the poor could yield abundant food, but it is swept away for lack of justice. 24Whoever withholds the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him is diligent to discipline him. 25The righteous eats to his heart's content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
