Therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent to punish him.

12 Better to meet a bear robbed of its cubs than a fool carried away with his stupidity.

13 Whoever pays back evil for good- evil will never leave his home.

14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before the argument gets out of control.

15 Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people is disgusting to Yahweh .

16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn't have a mind to grasp anything?

17 A friend always loves, and a brother is born to share trouble.

18 A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake.

He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend.

19 Whoever loves sin loves a quarrel.

Whoever builds his city gate high invites destruction.

20 A twisted mind never finds happiness, and one with a devious tongue repeatedly gets into trouble.

21 The parent of a fool has grief, and the father of a godless fool has no joy.

22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one's strength.

23 A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice.

24 Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person, but the eyes of a fool are looking around all over the world.

How Fools Live 25 A foolish son is a heartache to his father and bitter grief to his mother.

26 To punish an innocent person is not good.

To strike down noble people is not right.

27 Whoever has knowledge controls his words, and a person who has understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even a stubborn fool is thought to be wise if he keeps silent.

He is considered intelligent if he keeps his lips sealed.

18 1 A loner is out to get what he wants for himself.

He opposes all sound reasoning.

2 A fool does not find joy in understanding but only in expressing his own opinion.

3 When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, and insult comes along with disgrace.

4 The words of a person's mouth are like deep waters.

The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.

5 It is not good to be partial toward a wicked person, thereby depriving an innocent person of justice.

6 By talking, a fool gets into an argument, and his mouth invites a beating.

7 A fool's mouth is his ruin.

His lips are a trap to his soul.

8 The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being.

How to Avoid Fools and Foolishness 9 Whoever is lazy in his work is related to a vandal.

10 The name of Yahweh is Migdal-Oz.

A righteous person runs to it and is safe.

11 A rich person's wealth is his strong city and is like a high wall in his imagination.

12 Before destruction a person's heart is arrogant, but humility comes before honor.

13 Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.

14 A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?

15 The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge.

The ears of wise people seek knowledge.

16 A gift opens doors for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people.

17 The first to state his case seems right until his neighbor comes to cross-examine him.

18 Flipping a coin ends quarrels and settles issues between powerful people.

19 An offended brother is more resistant than a strong city, and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower.

20 A person's speaking ability provides for his stomach.

His talking provides him a living.

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.

22 Whoever finds a wife finds something good and has obtained favor from Yahweh .

23 A poor person is timid when begging, but a rich person is blunt when replying.

24 Friends can destroy one another,a but a loving friend can stick closer than family.

19 1 Better to be a poor person who lives innocently than to be one who talks dishonestly and is a fool.

2 A person without knowledge is no good.

A person in a hurry makes mistakes.

3 The stupidity of a person turns his life upside down, and his heart rages against Yahweh.

4 Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friend.

5 A lying witness will not go unpunished.

One who tells lies will not escape.

6 Many try to win the kindness of a generous person, and everyone is a friend to a person who gives gifts.

7 The entire family of a poor person hates him.

How much more do his friends keep their distance from him!

When he chases them with words, they are gone.

8 A person who gains sense loves himself.

One who guards understanding finds something good.

9 A lying witness will not go unpunished.

One who tells lies will die.

10 Luxury does not fit a fool, much less a slave ruling princes.

11 A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense.

12 The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

A Foolish Son Brings Ruin to Others 13 A foolish son ruins his father, and a quarreling woman is like constantly dripping water.

14 Home and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a sensible wife comes from Yahweh.

15 Laziness throws one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will go hungry.

16 Whoever obeys the law preserves his life, but whoever despises Yahweh's ways will be put to death.

17 Whoever has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh, and he will repay him for his good deed.

18 Discipline your son while there is still hope.

Do not be the one responsible for his death.

19 A person who has a hot temper will pay for it.

If you rescue him, you will have to do it over and over.

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline so that you may be wise the rest of your life.

21 Many plans are in the human heart, but the advice of Yahweh will endure.

22 Loyalty is desirable in a person, and it is better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, and such a person will rest easy without suffering harm.a 24 A lazy person puts his fork in his food.

He doesn't even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a mocker, and a gullible person may learn a lesson.

Warn an understanding person, and he will gain more knowledge.

Foolproof Instructions 26 A son who assaults his father and who drives away his mother brings shame and disgrace.

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks justice, and the mouths of wicked people swallow up trouble.

29 Punishments are set for mockers and beatings for the backs of fools.

20 1 Wine makes people mock, liquor makes them noisy, and everyone under their influence is unwise.

2 The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion.

Whoever makes him angry forfeits his life.

3 Avoiding a quarrel is honorable.

After all, any stubborn fool can start a fight.

4 A lazy person does not plow in the fall.a He looks for something in the harvest but finds nothing.

5 A motive in the human heart is like deep water, and a person who has understanding draws it out.

6 Many people declare themselves loyal, but who can find someone who is really trustworthy?

7 A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity.

Blessed are his children after he is gone.