19 It is better to be poor and honest

than to be foolish and tell lies.

2  Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good.

If you act too quickly, you might make a mistake.

3  People’s own foolishness ruins their lives,

but in their minds they blame the Lord.

4  Wealthy people are always finding more friends,

but the poor lose all theirs.

5  A witness who lies will not go free;

liars will never escape.

6  Many people want to please a leader,

and everyone is friends with those who give gifts.

7  Poor people’s relatives avoid them;

even their friends stay far away.

They run after them, begging,

but they are gone.

8  Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor,

and those who love learning will succeed.

9  A witness who lies will not go free,

liars will die.

10  A fool should not live in luxury.

A slave should not rule over princes.

11  The wise are patient;

they will be honored if they ignore insults.

12  An angry king is like a roaring lion,

but his kindness is like the dew on the grass.

13  A foolish child brings disaster to a father,

and a quarreling wife is like dripping water.

14  Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,

but a wise wife is a gift from the Lord.

15  Lazy people sleep a lot,

and idle people will go hungry.

16  Those who obey the commands protect themselves,

but those who are careless will die.

17  Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord;

he will reward you for what you have done.

18  Correct your children while there is still hope;

do not let them destroy themselves.

19  People with quick tempers will have to pay for it.

If you help them out once, you will have to do it again.

20  Listen to advice and accept correction,

and in the end you will be wise.

21  People can make all kinds of plans,

but only the Lord’s plan will happen.

22  People want others to be loyal,

so it is better to be poor than to be a liar.

23  Those who respect the Lord will live

and be satisfied, unbothered by trouble.

24  Though the lazy person puts his hand in the dish,

he won’t lift the food to his mouth.

25  Whip those who make fun of wisdom, and perhaps foolish people will gain some wisdom.

Correct those with understanding, and they will gain knowledge.

26  A child who robs his father and sends away his mother

brings shame and disgrace on himself.

27  Don’t stop listening to correction, my child,

or you will forget what you have already learned.

28  An evil witness makes fun of fairness,

and wicked people love what is evil.

29  People who make fun of wisdom will be punished,

and the backs of foolish people will be beaten.