Read the Bible

¹ To accept correction is wise,
    to reject it is stupid.
² The Lord likes everyone
    who lives right,
    but he punishes everyone
    who makes evil plans.
³ Sin cannot offer security!
    But if you live right,
    you will be as secure
    as a tree with deep roots.
⁴ A helpful wife is a jewel
    for her husband,
    but a shameless wife
    will make his bones rot.

⁵ Good people have kind thoughts,
    but you should never trust
    the advice of someone evil.
⁶ Bad advice is a deadly trap,
    but good advice
    is like a shield.
⁷ Once the wicked are defeated,
    they are gone forever,
    but no one who obeys God
    will ever be thrown down.
⁸ Good sense is worthy of praise,
    but stupidity is a curse.
⁹ It's better to be ordinary
    and have only one servant^[a]
    than to think you are somebody
    and starve to death.
¹⁰ Good people are kind
to their animals,
    but a mean person is cruel.

¹¹ Hard working farmers have more
    than enough food;
    daydreamers are nothing more
    than stupid fools.
¹² An evil person tries to hide
    behind evil;^[b]
    good people are like trees
    with deep roots.
¹³ We trap ourselves
    by telling lies,
    but we stay out of trouble
    by living right.
¹⁴ We are rewarded or punished
    for what we say and do.
¹⁵ Fools think they know
    what is best,
    but a sensible person
    listens to advice.

¹⁶ Losing your temper is foolish;
    ignoring an insult is smart.
¹⁷ An honest person
    tells the truth in court,
    but a dishonest person
    tells nothing but lies.
¹⁸ Sharp words cut like a sword,
    but words of wisdom heal.
¹⁹ Truth will last forever;
    lies are soon found out.
²⁰ An evil mind is deceitful,
    but gentle thoughts
    bring happiness.
²¹ Good people never have trouble,
    but troublemakers
    have more than enough.
²² The Lord hates every liar,
    but he is the friend of all
    who can be trusted.
²³ Be sensible and don't tell
    everything you know—
    only fools spread
    foolishness everywhere.

²⁴ Work hard, and you
    will be a leader;
    be lazy, and you
    will end up a slave.
²⁵ Worry is a heavy burden,
    but a kind word
    always brings cheer.
²⁶ You are better off to do right,
    than to lose your way
    by doing wrong.^[c]
27 Anyone too lazy to cook
    will starve,
    but a hard worker
    is a valuable treasure.^[d]
28 Follow the road to life,
    and you won't be bothered
    by death.