1 Any who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate being corrected.

2The Lord is pleased with good people, but condemns those who plan evil.

3Wickedness does not give security, but righteous people stand firm.

4A good wife is her husband's pride and joy; but a wife who brings shame on her husband is like a cancer in his bones.

5Honest people will treat you fairly; the wicked only want to deceive you.

6The words of the wicked are murderous, but the words of the righteous rescue those who are threatened.

7The wicked meet their downfall and leave no descendants, but the families of the righteous live on.

8If you are intelligent, you will be praised; if you are stupid, people will look down on you.

9It is better to be an ordinary person working for a living than to play the part of someone great but go hungry.

10Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs.

11A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat, but it is stupid to waste time on useless projects.

12All that wicked people want is to find evil things to do, but the righteous stand firm.+

13The wicked are trapped by their own words, but honest people get themselves out of trouble.

14Your reward depends on what you say and what you do; you will get what you deserve.

15Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.

16When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Smart people will ignore an insult.

17When you tell the truth, justice is done, but lies lead to injustice.

18Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.

19A lie has a short life, but truth lives on forever.

20Those who plan evil are in for a rude surprise, but those who work for good will find happiness.

21Nothing bad happens to righteous people, but the wicked have nothing but trouble.

22The Lord hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

23Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.

24Hard work will give you power; being lazy will make you a slave.

25Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.

26The righteous person is a guide to his friend, but the path of the wicked leads them astray.

27If you are lazy, you will never get what you are after, but if you work hard, you will get a fortune.+

28Righteousness is the road to life; wickedness+ is the road to death.