1It is better to be poor but honest than to be a lying fool.

2Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good; impatience will get you into trouble.

3Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the LORD.

4Rich people are always finding new friends, but the poor cannot keep the few they have.

5If you tell lies in court, you will be punished — there will be no escape.

6Everyone tries to gain the favour of important people; everyone claims the friendship of those who give out favours.

7Even the relatives of a poor person have no use for him; no wonder he has no friends. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot win any.19.7 Probable text No matter… any; Hebrew unclear.

8Do yourself a favour and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper.

9No one who tells lies in court can escape punishment; he is doomed.

10Fools should not live in luxury, and slaves should not rule over noblemen.

11If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it.

12The king's anger is like the roar of a lion, but his favour is like welcome rain.

13Stupid children can bring their parents to ruin. A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip.

14A man can inherit a house and money from his parents, but only the LORD can give him a sensible wife.

15Be lazy if you want to; sleep on, but you will go hungry.

16Keep God's laws and you will live longer; if you ignore them, you will die.

17When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back.

18Discipline your children while they are young enough to learn. If you don't, you are helping them to destroy themselves.19.18 If you… themselves; or But don't beat them so hard that you kill them.

19If someone has a hot temper, let him take the consequences. If you get him out of trouble once, you will have to do it again.19.19 get him out… again; or try to get him out of trouble, you only make things worse.

20If you listen to advice and are willing to learn, one day you will be wise.

21People may plan all kinds of things, but the LORD's will is going to be done.

22It is a disgrace to be greedy;19.22 It… greedy; or Loyalty is what is desired in a person. poor people are better off than liars.

23Obey the LORD and you will live a long life, content and safe from harm.

24Some people are too lazy to put food in their own mouths.

25Arrogance should be punished, so that people who don't know any better can learn a lesson. If you are wise, you will learn when you are corrected.

26Only a shameful, disgraceful person would ill-treat his father or turn his mother away from his home.

27Son, when you stop learning, you will soon neglect what you already know.

28There is no justice where a witness is determined to hurt someone. Wicked people love the taste of evil.

29A conceited fool is sure to get a beating.