Our thoughts are tested by the LORD

1A dry crust of bread eaten

in peace and quiet

is better than a feast eaten

where everyone argues.

2A hard-working slave

will be placed in charge

of a no-good child,

and that slave will be given

the same inheritance

that each child receives.

3Silver and gold are tested

by flames of fire;

our thoughts are tested

by the LORD.

4Troublemakers listen

to troublemakers,

and liars listen to liars.

5By insulting the poor,

you insult your Creator.

You will be punished

if you make fun

of someone in trouble.

6Grandparents are proud

of their grandchildren,

and children should be proud

of their parents.

7It sounds strange for a fool

to talk sensibly,

but it's even worse

for a ruler to tell lies.

8A bribe works miracles

like a magic charm

that brings good luck.

9You will keep your friends

if you forgive them,

but you will lose your friends

if you keep talking about

what they did wrong.

10A sensible person

accepts correction,

but you can't beat sense

into a fool.

11Cruel people want to rebel,

and so vicious attackers

will be sent against them.

12A bear robbed of her cubs

is far less dangerous

than a stubborn fool.

13You will always have trouble

if you are mean to those

who are good to you.

14The start of an argument

is like a water leak—

so stop it before

real trouble breaks out.

15The LORD doesn't like those

who defend the guilty

or condemn the innocent.

16Why should fools have money

for an education

when they refuse to learn?

17A friend is always a friend,

and relatives are born

to share our troubles.

18It's stupid to guarantee

someone else's loan.

19The wicked and the proud

love trouble and keep begging

to be hurt.

20Dishonesty does you no good,

and telling lies

will get you in trouble.

21It's never pleasant

to be the parent of a fool

and have nothing but pain.

22If you are cheerful,

you feel good;

if you are sad,

you hurt all over.

23Crooks accept secret bribes

to keep justice

from being done.

24Anyone with wisdom knows

what makes good sense,

but fools can never

make up their minds.

25Foolish children bring sorrow

to their father

and pain to their mother.

26It isn't fair

to punish the innocent

and those who do right.

27It makes a lot of sense

to be a person of few words

and to stay calm.

28Even fools seem clever

when they are quiet.