1Intelligent children listen to their parents;
foolish children do their own thing.
2The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation;
bullies push and shove their way through life.
3Careful words make for a careful life;
careless talk may ruin everything.
4Indolence wants it all and gets nothing;
the energetic have something to show for their lives.
5A good person hates false talk;
a bad person wallows in gibberish.
6A God-loyal life keeps you on track;
sin dumps the wicked in the ditch.
7A pretentious, showy life is an empty life;
a plain and simple life is a full life.
8The rich can be sued for everything they have,
but the poor are free of such threats.
9The lives of good people are brightly lit streets;
the lives of the wicked are dark alleys.
10Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord,
but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel.
11Easy come, easy go,
but steady diligence pays off.
12Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick,
but a sudden good break can turn life around.
13Ignore the Word and suffer;
honor God’s commands and grow rich.
14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
so, no more drinking from death-tainted wells!
15Sound thinking makes for gracious living,
but liars walk a rough road.
16A commonsense person lives good sense;
fools litter the country with silliness.
17Irresponsible talk makes a real mess of things,
but a reliable reporter is a healing presence.
18Refuse discipline and end up homeless;
embrace correction and live an honored life.
19Souls who follow their hearts thrive;
fools bent on evil despise matters of soul.
20Become wise by walking with the wise;
hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.
21Disaster entraps sinners,
but God-loyal people get a good life.
22A good life gets passed on to the grandchildren;
ill-gotten wealth ends up with good people.
23Banks foreclose on the farms of the poor,
or else the poor lose their shirts to crooked lawyers.
24A refusal to correct is a refusal to love;
love your children by disciplining them.
25An appetite for good brings much satisfaction,
but the belly of the wicked always wants more.