Read the Bible

¹ If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover.

² Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.

³ If you appreciate wisdom, your parents will be proud of you.

It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.

⁴ When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.

⁵ If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.^[a]

⁶ Evil people are trapped in their own sins, while honest people are happy and free.

⁷ A good person knows the rights of the poor, but wicked people cannot understand such things.

⁸ People with no regard for others can throw whole cities into turmoil. Those who are wise keep things calm.

⁹ When an intelligent person brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive.

¹⁰ Bloodthirsty people hate anyone who's honest, but righteous people will protect^[b] the life of such a person.

¹¹ Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.

¹² If a ruler pays attention to false information, all his officials will be liars.

¹³ A poor person and his oppressor have this in common—the Lord gave eyes to both of them.

¹⁴ If a king defends the rights of the poor, he will rule for a long time.

¹⁵ Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.

¹⁶ When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people.

¹⁷ Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.

¹⁸ A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!

^19 (a)You cannot correct servants just by talking to them. They may understand you, but they will pay no attention.

²⁰ There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

²¹ If you give your servants everything they want from childhood on, some day they will take over everything you own.^[c]

²² People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.

²³ Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.

²⁴ A thief's partner is his own worst enemy. He will be punished if he tells the truth in court, and God will curse him if he doesn't.

²⁵ It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.

²⁶ Everybody wants the good will of the ruler, but only from the Lord can you get justice.

²⁷ The righteous hate the wicked, and the wicked hate the righteous.