16 All who are prudent act with knowledge,

but fools expose their folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,

but whoever heeds correction is honored.

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,

but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,

for a companion of fools suffers harm.

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,

but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: But a fool layeth open his folly. 17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: But a faithful ambassador is health. 18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. 19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: But it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 21 Evil pursueth sinners: But to the righteous good shall be repayed.

16 Wise people think before they act;

fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,

but a reliable messenger brings healing.

18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;

if you accept correction, you will be honored.

19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true,

but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise;

associate with fools and get in trouble.

21 Trouble chases sinners,

while blessings reward the righteous.

16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,

But a fool lays open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

But a faithful ambassador brings health.

18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,

But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,

But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,

But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

21 Evil pursues sinners,

But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

16 Every wise person acts with good sense,

but fools show how foolish they are.

17 A wicked messenger brings nothing but trouble,

but a trustworthy one makes everything right.

18 A person who refuses correction will end up poor and disgraced,

but the one who accepts correction will be honored.

19 It is so good when wishes come true,

but fools hate to stop doing evil.

20 Spend time with the wise and you will become wise,

but the friends of fools will suffer.

21 Trouble always comes to sinners,

but good people enjoy success.

16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge;

But a fool flaunteth his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil;

But a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth correction;

But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul;

But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise;

But the companion of fools shall smart for it.

21 Evil pursueth sinners;

But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.

16 Every prudent man acteth with knowledge; but the foolish layeth open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil; but a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction; but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul; but it is abomination to the foolish to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise men becometh wise; but a companion of the foolish will be depraved.

21 Evil pursueth sinners; but to the righteous good shall be repaid.

16 Any sensible person acts with knowledge, 

but a fool displays stupidity. 

17 An undependable messenger gets into trouble, 

but a dependable envoy brings healing. 

18 Poverty and shame come to a person who ignores discipline, 

but whoever pays attention to constructive criticism will be honored. 

19 A fulfilled desire is sweet to the soul, 

but turning from evil is disgusting to fools. 

20 Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, 

but whoever associates with fools will suffer. 

21 Disaster hunts down sinners, 

but righteous people are rewarded with good. 

16 Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,

but a fool displays his stupidity.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

but a trustworthy courier brings healing.

18 Poverty and disgrace come to those

who ignore discipline,

but the one who accepts correction will be honored.

19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste,

but to turn from evil

is an abomination to fools.

20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise,

but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

21 Disaster pursues sinners,

but good rewards the righteous.

16 The clever do all things intelligently,

but the fool displays folly.

17 A bad messenger brings trouble,

but a faithful envoy, healing.

18 Poverty and disgrace are for the one who ignores instruction,

but one who heeds reproof is honored.

19 A desire realized is sweet to the soul,

but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.

20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

but the companion of fools suffers harm.

21 Misfortune pursues sinners,

but prosperity rewards the righteous.

16 Anyone who is clever will act with intelligence,

but the fool will display folly.

17 A messenger of wickedness will fall into trouble,

but an envoy of the faithful brings healing.

18 Poverty and disgrace belong to him who ignores instruction,

but he who guards reproof will be honored.

19 A desire fulfilled will be sweet to the soul,

but an abomination of fools is turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and be wise,

but as for the companion of fools, he will suffer harm.

21 Misfortune will pursue sinners,

but the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.

16 Wise people act in keeping with the knowledge they have.

But foolish people show how foolish they are.

17 An evil messenger gets into trouble.

But a messenger who is trusted brings healing.

18 Those who turn away from their training become poor and ashamed.

But those who accept warnings are honored.

19 A longing that is met is like something that tastes sweet.

But foolish people hate to turn away from evil.

20 Anyone who walks with wise people grows wise.

But a companion of foolish people suffers harm.

21 Hard times chase those who are sinful.

But success is the reward of those who do right.

16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,

But a fool displays folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into adversity,

But a faithful envoy brings healing.

18 Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline,

But he who regards reproof will be honored.

19 Desire realized is sweet to the soul,

But it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil.

20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,

But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

21 Adversity pursues sinners,

But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.