Read the Bible

¹ A kind answer
    soothes angry feelings,
    but harsh words
    stir them up.
² Words of wisdom
come from the wise,
    but fools speak foolishness.

³ The Lord sees everything,
    whether good or bad.
⁴ Kind words are good medicine,
    but deceitful words
    can really hurt.
⁵ Don't be a fool
and disobey your parents.
    Be smart! Accept correction.
⁶ Good people become wealthy,
    but those who are evil
    will lose what they have.
⁷ Words of wisdom
    make good sense;
    the thoughts of a fool
    make no sense at all.

⁸ The Lord is disgusted
    by gifts from the wicked,
    but it makes him happy
    when his people pray.
⁹ The Lord is disgusted
    with all who do wrong,
    but he loves everyone
    who does right.
¹⁰ If you turn from the right way,
    you will be punished;
    if you refuse correction,
    you will die.

¹¹ If the Lord can see everything
in the world of the dead,
    he can see in our hearts.
¹² Those who sneer at others
    don't like to be corrected,
    and they won't ask help
    from someone with sense.
¹³ Happiness makes you smile;
    sorrow can crush you.
¹⁴ Anyone with good sense
    is eager to learn more,
    but fools are hungry
    for foolishness.

¹⁵ The poor have a hard life,
    but being content is as good
    as an endless feast.
¹⁶ It's better to obey the Lord
    and have only a little,
    than to be very rich
    and terribly confused.
¹⁷ A simple meal with love
is better than a feast
    where there is hatred.

¹⁸ Losing your temper
    causes a lot of trouble,
    but staying calm
    settles arguments.
¹⁹ Being lazy is like walking
    in a thorn patch,
    but everyone who does right
    walks on a smooth road.
²⁰ Children with good sense
    make their parents happy,
    but foolish children
    are hateful to them.
²¹ Stupidity brings happiness
    to senseless fools,
    but everyone with good sense
    follows the straight path.

²² Without good advice
    everything goes wrong—
    it takes careful planning
    for things to go right.
²³ Giving the right answer
at the right time
    makes everyone happy.
²⁴ All who are wise follow a road
    that leads upward to life
    and away from death.

²⁵ The Lord destroys the homes
    of those who are proud,
    but he protects the property
    of widows.
²⁶ The Lord hates evil thoughts,
    but kind words please him.
²⁷ Being greedy causes trouble
    for your family,
    but you protect yourself
    by refusing bribes.
²⁸ Good people think
    before they answer,
    but the wicked speak evil
    without ever thinking.

²⁹ The Lord never even hears
    the prayers of the wicked,
    but he answers the prayers
    of all who obey him.
³⁰ A friendly smile
    makes you happy,
    and good news
    makes you feel strong.
³¹ Healthy correction is good,
    and if you accept it,
    you will be wise.
³² You hurt only yourself
    by rejecting instruction,
    but it makes good sense
    to accept it.
³³ Showing respect to the Lord
    will make you wise,
    and being humble
    will bring honor to you.