Read the Bible

¹ Wise children pay attention when their parents correct them, but arrogant people never admit they are wrong.

² Good people will be rewarded for what they say, but those who are deceitful are hungry for violence.

^3 (a)Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself.

⁴ No matter how much a lazy person may want something, he will never get it. A hard worker will get everything he wants.

⁵ Honest people hate lies, but the words of wicked people are shameful and disgraceful.

⁶ Righteousness protects the innocent; wickedness is the downfall of sinners.

⁷ Some people pretend to be rich, but have nothing. Others pretend to be poor, but own a fortune.

⁸ The rich have to use their money to save their lives, but no one threatens the poor.

⁹ The righteous are like a light shining brightly; the wicked are like a lamp flickering out.

¹⁰ Arrogance causes nothing but trouble. It is wiser to ask for advice.

¹¹ The more easily you get your wealth, the sooner you will lose it. The harder it is to earn, the more you will have.

¹² When hope is crushed, the heart is crushed, but a wish come true fills you with joy.

¹³ If you refuse good advice, you are asking for trouble; follow it and you are safe.

¹⁴ The teachings of the wise are a fountain of life; they will help you escape when your life is in danger.

¹⁵ Intelligence wins respect, but those who can't be trusted are on the road to ruin.^[a]

¹⁶ Sensible people always think before they act, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.

¹⁷ Unreliable messengers cause trouble, but those who can be trusted bring peace.

¹⁸ Someone who will not learn will be poor and disgraced. Anyone who listens to correction is respected.

¹⁹ How good it is to get what you want! Stupid people refuse to turn away from evil.

^20 (b)Keep company with the wise and you will become wise. If you make friends with stupid people, you will be ruined.

²¹ Trouble follows sinners everywhere, but righteous people will be rewarded with good things.

²² Good people will have wealth to leave to their grandchildren, but the wealth of sinners will go to the righteous.

²³ Unused fields could yield plenty of food for the poor, but unjust people keep them from being farmed.^[b]

²⁴ If you don't punish your children, you don't love them. If you do love them, you will correct them.

²⁵ The righteous have enough to eat, but the wicked are always hungry.