14 A nation will fall when there is no direction, but with many advisers there is victory.

15 Whoever guarantees a stranger's loan will get into trouble, but whoever hates the closing of a deal remains secure.

16 A gracious woman wins respect, but ruthless men gain riches.

17 A merciful person helps himself, but a cruel person hurts himself.

18 A wicked person earns dishonest wages, but whoever spreads righteousness earns honest pay.

19 As righteousness leads to life, so whoever pursues evil finds his own death.

20 Devious people are disgusting to Yahweh , but he is delighted with those whose ways are innocent.

21 Certainly, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will escape.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks good taste.

23 The desire of righteous people ends only in good, but the hope of wicked people ends only in fury.

24 One person spends freely and yet grows richer, while another holds back what he owes and yet grows poorer.

25 A generous person will be made rich, and whoever satisfies others will himself be satisfied.a 26 People will curse the one who hoards grain, but a blessing will be upon the head of the one who sells it.

27 Whoever eagerly seeks good searches for good will, but whoever looks for evil finds it.

28 Whoever trusts his riches will fall, but righteous people will flourish like a green leaf.

29 Whoever brings trouble upon his family inherits only wind, and that stubborn fool becomes a slave to the wise in heart.

30 The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a winner of souls is wise.

31 If the righteous person is rewarded on earth, how much more the wicked person and the sinner!

12 1 Whoever loves discipline loves to learn, but whoever hates correction is a dumb animal.

2 A good person obtains favor from Yahweh, but Yahweh condemns everyone who schemes.

3 A person cannot stand firm on a foundation of wickedness, and the roots of righteous people cannot be moved.

4 A wife with strength of character is the crown of her husband, but the wife who disgraces him is like bone cancer.

5 The thoughts of righteous people are fair.

The advice of wicked people is treacherous.

6 The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush, but the wordsa of decent people rescue.

7 Overthrow wicked people, and they are no more, but the families of righteous people continue to stand.

8 A person will be praised based on his insight, but whoever has a twisted mind will be despised.

9 Better to be unimportant and have a slave than to act important and have nothing to eat.

10 A righteous person cares even about the life of his animals, but the compassion of wicked people is nothing but cruelty.

11 Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat, but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.

12 A wicked person delights in setting a trap for other evil people, but the roots of righteous people produce fruit.b 13 An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk, but a righteous person escapes from trouble.

14 One person enjoys good things as a result of his speaking ability.

Another is paid according to what his hands have accomplished.

15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one, but a person who listens to advice is wise.

16 When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately, but a sensible person hides the insult.

17 A truthful witness speaks honestly, but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.

18 Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.

19 The word of truth lasts forever, but lies last only a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil, but joy belongs to those who advise peace.

21 No lasting harm comes to a righteous person, but wicked people have lots of trouble.

22 Lips that lie are disgusting to Yahweh , but honest people are his delight.

23 A sensible person discreetly hides knowledge, but foolish minds preach stupidity.

24 Hardworking hands gain control, but lazy hands do slave labor.

25 A person's anxiety will weigh him down, but an encouraging word makes him joyful.

26 A righteous person looks out for his neighbor, but the path of wicked people leads others astray.

27 A lazy hunter does not catcha his prey, but a hardworking person becomes wealthy.b 28 Everlasting life is on the way of righteousness.

Eternal death is not along its path.

A Wise Son Lives Righteously 13 1 A wise son listens to his father's discipline, but a mocker does not listen to reprimands.

2 A person eats well as a result of his speaking ability, but the appetite of treacherous people craves violence.

3 Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life.

Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin.

4 A lazy person craves food and there is none, but the appetite of hardworking people is satisfied.

5 A righteous person hates lying, but a wicked person behaves with shame and disgrace.

6 Righteousness protects the honest way of life, but wickedness ruins a sacrifice for sin.

7 One person pretends to be rich but has nothing.

Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.

8 A person's riches are the ransom for his life, but the poor person does not pay attention to threats.

9 The light of righteous people beams brightly, but the lamp of wicked people will be snuffed out.

10 Arrogance produces only quarreling, but those who take advice gain wisdom.

11 Wealth gained through injustice dwindles away, but whoever gathers little by little has plenty.

12 Delayed hope makes one sick at heart, but a fulfilled longing is a tree of life.

13 Whoever despises God's words will pay the penalty, but the one who fears God's commands will be rewarded.

14 The teachings of a wise person are a fountain of life to turn one away from the grasp of death.

15 Good sense brings favor, but the way of treacherous people is always the same.c 16 Any sensible person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays stupidity.

17 An undependable messenger gets into trouble, but a dependable envoy brings healing.

18 Poverty and shame come to a person who ignores discipline, but whoever pays attention to constructive criticism will be honored.

19 A fulfilled desire is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is disgusting to fools.

20 Whoever walks with wise people will be wise, but whoever associates with fools will suffer.

21 Disaster hunts down sinners, but righteous people are rewarded with good.

22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the wealth of sinners is stored away for a righteous person.

23 When poor people are able to plow, there is much food, but a person is swept away where there is no justice.

24 Whoever refuses to spank his son hates him, but whoever loves his son disciplines him from early on.

25 A righteous person eats to satisfy his appetite, but the bellies of wicked people are always empty.

Wise People Live Righteously 14 1 The wisest of women builds up her home, but a stupid one tears it down with her own hands.

2 Whoever lives right fears Yahweh, but a person who is devious in his ways despises him.

3 Because of a stubborn fool's words a whip is lifted against him, but wise people are protected by their speech.

4 Where there are no cattle, the feeding trough is empty, but the strength of an ox produces plentiful harvests.

5 A trustworthy witness does not lie, but a dishonest witness breathes lies.

6 A mocker searches for wisdom without finding it, but knowledge comes easily to a person who has understanding.

7 Stay away from a fool, because you will not receive knowledge from his lips.

8 The wisdom of a sensible person guides his way of life, but the stupidity of fools misleads them.

9 Stubborn fools make fun of guilt, but there is forgiveness among decent people.

10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger can share its joy.

11 The houses of wicked people will be destroyed, but the tents of decent people will continue to expand.

12 There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death.

13 Even while laughing a heart can ache, and joy can end in grief.

14 A heart that turns from God becomes bored with its own ways, but a good person is satisfied with Yahweh's ways.

15 A gullible person believes anything, but a sensible person watches his step.

16 A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is carelessa and overconfident.

17 A short-tempered person acts stupidly, and a person who plots evil is hated.

18 Gullible people are gifted with stupidity, but sensible people are crowned with knowledge.

19 Evil people will bow to good people.

Wicked people will bow at the gates of a righteous person.

20 A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but a rich person is loved by many.

21 Whoever despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who is kind to humble people.

22 Don't those who stray plan what is evil, while those who are merciful and faithful plan what is good?

23 In hard work there is always something gained, but idle talk leads only to poverty.

24 The crown of wise people is their wealth.

The stupidity of fools is just that-stupidity!

25 An honest witness saves lives, but one who tells lies is dangerous.

26 In the fear of Yahweh there is strong confidence, and his children will have a place of refuge.