A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. – Parental response to an offspring’s behaviour!
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. – Real value is found in good characterL
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. – the glutton may gormandize but it doesn’t really satisfy. Jesus is the Bread which truly satisfies! (Jn 6 32&33)
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. – this applies in both the physical and spiritual worlds!
He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame. – a pretty basic statement!
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. – These two couplets seem very closely related. The righteous bring blessing both while living and when remembered; the wicked breath out rottenness and end up rotting!
The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. – Again two very similar thoughts – the Wise listen and are stable; the foolish both in speech and behaviour make a mess of life!
****Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. – in this duo there are 3 reports on the evil side of life for one for the Godly side, but Oh so true!
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. – so, so true!
On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. – It is truly sad to see the mess that ignorance or refusing to listen to good advice leads people!
A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. – wages are not paid in money but rather in strength and quality of life; the wages of sin is death!
Comment: My comments are interspersed with the reading.
Prayer: You provide so much Father but then You call us to choose! Help me to repetitively choose wisely, please!
As I read it! 