[1] A peaceful answer causes anger to disappear. But a rough answer causes anger to grow.
[2] When a wise person speaks, other people want to listen. But a foolish person speaks only foolishness.
[3] The Lord sees what happens everywhere. The Lord watches every person—good and evil.
[4] Kind words are like a Tree of Life. But lying words will crush a man’s spirit.
[5] A foolish person refuses to listen to his father’s advice. But a wise person listens closely when people try to teach him.
[6] Good people are rich in many things. But the things that an evil person has only cause him trouble.
[7] Wise people say things that give you new information. But foolish people say nothing worth hearing.
[8] The Lord hates the offerings that evil people give. But the Lord is happy to hear a good person’s prayers.
[9] The Lord hates the way evil people live. The Lord loves people who try to do good.
[10] If a person begins to live wrong, then he will be punished. And the person that hates to be corrected will be destroyed.
[11] The Lord knows everything, even what happens in the place of death. So surely the Lord will know what happens in the hearts and minds of people.
[12] The foolish person hates to be told when he is wrong. And that person refuses to ask wise people for advice.
[13] If a person is happy, then his face will show joy. But if a person is sad in his heart, then his spirit will show that sadness.
[14] A wise person tries to gain more knowledge. But a foolish person only wants more foolishness.
[15] Some poor people are sad all the time. But for people with happiness in their hearts, life is one big party.
[16] It is better to be poor and respect the Lord than to be rich and have many troubles.
[17] It is better to eat a little in a place where there is love, than to eat a lot where there is hate.
[18] People that are easily angered cause trouble. But a patient person causes peace.
[19] A lazy person will have trouble everywhere. But life will be easy for honest people.
[20] A wise son brings happiness to his father. But a foolish person brings shame to his mother.
[21] Doing foolish things makes a foolish person happy. But a wise person is careful to do the things that are right.
[22] If a person does not get enough advice, then his plans will fail. But a person will succeed if he listens to the things wise people tell him.
[23] A person is happy when he gives a good answer. And the right word at the right time is very good.
[24] The things a wise person does leads to life here on earth and stop him from going down to the place of death.
[25] The Lord will destroy everything a proud person has. But the Lord protects the things that a widow has.
[26] The Lord hates evil thoughts. But the Lord is happy with kind words.
[27] If a person cheats to get things, then he will bring trouble to his family. But if a person is honest, then he will have no trouble.
[28] Good people think before they answer. But evil people speak before they think, and that causes them trouble.
[29] The Lord is far away from evil people. But he always hears the prayers of good people.
[30] A person that smiles makes other people happy. And good news makes people feel better.
[31] A person is very wise if he listens when someone tells him that he has done wrong.
[32] If a person refuses to learn, then he is only hurting himself. But the person who listens when someone tells him he is wrong, will understand more and more.
[33] The person who respects the Lord is learning to be wise. A person must be humble before he can truly respect the Lord.