Read the Bible

¹ A woman's family
is held together
    by her wisdom,
    but it can be destroyed
    by her foolishness.
² By living right, you show
    that you respect the Lord;
    by being deceitful, you show
    that you despise him.
³ Proud fools are punished
    for their stupid talk,
    but sensible talk
    can save your life.
⁴ Without the help of an ox
    there can be no crop,
    but with a strong ox
    a big crop is possible.
⁵ An honest witness
    tells the truth;
    a dishonest witness
    tells nothing but lies.

⁶ Make fun of wisdom,
    and you will never find it.
    But if you have understanding,
    knowledge comes easily.
⁷ Stay away from fools,
    or you won't learn a thing.
⁸ Wise people have enough sense
to find their way,
    but stupid fools get lost.
⁹ Fools don't care
    if they are wrong,^[a]
    but God is pleased
    when people do right.

¹⁰ No one else can really know
    how sad or happy you are.
¹¹ The tent of a good person
stands longer
    than the house
    of someone evil.
¹² You may think you are
on the right road
    and still end up dead.
¹³ Sorrow may hide
    behind laughter,
    and happiness may end
    in sorrow.
¹⁴ You harvest what you plant,
    whether good or bad.

¹⁵ Don't be stupid
    and believe all you hear;
    be smart and know
    where you are headed.
¹⁶ Only a stupid fool
    is never cautious—
    so be extra careful
    and stay out of trouble.
¹⁷ Fools have quick tempers,
    and no one likes you
    if you can't be trusted.
¹⁸ Stupidity leads to foolishness;
    be smart and learn.

¹⁹ The wicked will come crawling
    to those who obey God.
²⁰ You have no friends
    if you are poor,
    but you have lots of friends
    if you are rich.
²¹ It's wrong to hate others,
    but God blesses everyone
    who is kind to the poor.
²² It's a mistake
    to make evil plans,
    but you will have loyal friends
    if you want to do right.
²³ Hard work is worthwhile,
    but empty talk
    will make you poor.
²⁴ Wisdom can make you rich,
    but foolishness leads
    to more foolishness.
²⁵ An honest witness
can save your life,
    but liars can't be trusted.

²⁶ If you respect the Lord,
you and your children
    have
a strong fortress
²⁷ and a life-giving fountain
    that keeps you safe
    from deadly traps.

²⁸ Rulers of powerful nations
    are held in honor;
    rulers of weak nations
    are nothing at all.
²⁹ It's smart to be patient,
    but it's stupid
    to lose your temper.
³⁰ It's healthy to be content,
    but envy can eat you up.
³¹ If you mistreat the poor,
    you insult your Creator;
    if you are kind to them,
    you show him respect.
³² In times of trouble
    the wicked are destroyed,
    but even at death
    the innocent have faith.^[b]

³³ Wisdom is found in the minds
of people with good sense,
    but fools don't know it.^[c]
34 Doing right brings honor
to a nation,
    but sin brings disgrace.
³⁵ Kings reward servants
    who act wisely,
    but they punish those
    who act foolishly.