1 A kind answer

soothes angry feelings,

but harsh words

stir them up.

2 Words of wisdom

come from the wise,

but fools speak foolishness.

3 The Lord sees everything,

whether good or bad.

4 Kind words are good medicine,

but deceitful words

can really hurt.

5 Don't be a fool

and disobey your parents.

Be smart! Accept correction.

6 Good people become wealthy,

but those who are evil

will lose what they have.

7 Words of wisdom

make good sense;

the thoughts of a fool

make no sense at all.

8 The Lord is disgusted

by gifts from the wicked,

but it makes him happy

when his people pray.

9 The Lord is disgusted

with all who do wrong,

but he loves everyone

who does right.

10 If you turn from the right way,

you will be punished;

if you refuse correction,

you will die.

11 If the Lord can see everything

in the world of the dead,

he can see in our hearts.

12 Those who sneer at others

don't like to be corrected,

and they won't ask help

from someone with sense.

13 Happiness makes you smile;

sorrow can crush you.

14 Anyone with good sense

is eager to learn more,

but fools are hungry

for foolishness.

15 The poor have a hard life,

but being content is as good

as an endless feast.

16 It's better to obey the Lord

and have only a little,

than to be very rich

and terribly anxious.

17 A simple meal with love

is better than a feast

where there is hatred.

18 Losing your temper

causes a lot of trouble,

but staying calm

settles arguments.

19 A lazy person refuses

to clear a thorny path,

but everyone who does right

walks on a smooth road.

20 Children with good sense

make their parents happy,

but foolish children

despise them.

21 Stupidity brings happiness

to senseless fools,

but everyone with good sense

follows the straight path.

22 Without good advice

everything goes wrong—

it takes careful planning

for things to go right.

23 Giving the right answer

at the right time

makes everyone happy.

24 All who are wise follow a road

that leads upward to life

and away from death.

25 The Lord destroys the homes

of those who are proud,

but he protects the property

of widows.

26 The Lord hates evil thoughts,

but kind words please him.

27 Being greedy causes trouble

for your family,

but you protect yourself

by refusing bribes.

28 Good people think

before they answer,

but the wicked speak evil

without ever thinking.

29 The Lord never even hears

the prayers of the wicked,

but he answers the prayers

of all who obey him.

30 A friendly smile

makes you happy,

and good news

makes you feel strong.

31 Healthy correction is good,

and if you accept it,

you will be wise.

32 You hurt only yourself

by rejecting instruction,

but it makes good sense

to accept it.

33 Showing respect to the Lord

will make you wise,

and being humble

will bring honor to you.