Bible in 90 Days
The Woman of Adultery
7 My son, remember what I say.
Treasure my commands.
2 Obey my commands, and you will live.
Protect my teachings as you would your own eyes.
3 Remind yourself of them.
Write them down in your mind as if on a tablet.
4 Be good to wisdom as if she were your sister.
Make understanding your closest friend.
5 Wisdom and understanding will keep you away from adultery.
They will keep you away from the unfaithful wife and her pleasing words.
6 I once was standing at the window of my house.
I looked out through the shutters.
7 I saw some foolish, young men.
I noticed one of them who had no wisdom.
8 He was walking down the street near the corner.
He was on the road leading to her house.
9 It was the twilight of the evening.
The darkness of the night was just beginning.
10 Then the woman approached him.
She was dressed like a prostitute
and was planning to trick him.
11 She was a loud and stubborn woman.
She never stayed at home.
12 She was always out in the streets or in the city squares.
She was always waiting around on the street corners.
13 She grabbed him and kissed him.
Without shame she said to him,
14 “I made my fellowship offering and have the meat at home.
I have kept my special promises.
15 So I have come out to meet you.
I have been looking for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored sheets from Egypt.
17 I have made my bed smell sweet
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s make love until morning.
Let’s enjoy each other’s love!
19 My husband is not home.
He has gone on a long trip.
20 He took a lot of money with him.
And he won’t be home for weeks.”
21 By her clever words she made him give in.
By her pleasing words she led him into doing wrong.
22 All at once he followed her.
He was like an ox being led to the butcher.
He was like a deer caught in a trap.
23 But quickly an arrow shot through his liver.
He was like a bird caught in a trap.
He didn’t know what he did would kill him.
24 Now, my sons, listen to me.
Pay attention to what I say.
25 Don’t let yourself be tricked by the woman who is guilty of adultery.
Don’t join her in her evil actions.
26 She has ruined many good men.
Many have died because of her.
27 Going to her house is like taking the road to death.
That road leads down to where the dead are.
Listen to Wisdom
8 Like a person, wisdom calls out to you.
Understanding raises her voice.
2 On the hilltops along the road
and at the crossroads, she stands calling.
3 She stands beside the city gates.
At the entrances into the city, she calls out:
4 “People, I’m calling out to you.
I am shouting to all people.
5 You who do not know better, get the ability to think.
You who are foolish, get understanding.
6 Listen. I have important things to say.
What I tell you is right.
7 What I say is true.
I hate it when people speak evil.
8 Everything I say is honest.
Nothing I say is crooked or false.
9 People with good sense know that what I say is true.
People with knowledge know that my words are right.
10 Choose my teachings instead of silver.
Choose knowledge rather than the finest gold.
11 Wisdom is more precious than rubies.
Nothing you want is equal to it.
12 “I am wisdom, and I have the ability to think.
I also have knowledge and good sense.
13 If you respect the Lord, you also will hate evil.
It is wise to hate pride and bragging,
evil ways and lies.
14 I have good sense and advice.
I have understanding and power.
15 Kings use me to govern.
And rulers use me to make fair laws.
16 Princes use me to lead.
So do important men and all good judges.
17 I love those who love me.
Those who want me find me.
18 Riches and honor are mine.
So are wealth and lasting success.
19 What I give is better than the finest gold.
What I give is better than pure silver.
20 I do what is right.
I do what is fair.
21 I give wealth to those who love me.
I fill them with treasures.
22 “I, wisdom, was with God when he began his work.
This was before he made anything else long ago.
23 I was appointed in the very beginning,
even before the world began.
24 I began before there were oceans.
There were no springs overflowing with water.
25 I began before the hills were there.
The mountains had not even been put in place.
26 God still had not made the earth or fields.
He had not even made the first dust of the earth.
27 I was there when God put the skies in place,
when he stretched the horizon over the oceans.
28 I was there when he made the clouds above.
I was there when he put the fountains in the oceans.
29 I was there when he ordered the sea
not to go beyond the borders he had set for it.
I was there when he laid the earth’s foundation.
30 I was like a child by his side.
I was happy every day
and enjoyed being in his presence.
31 I enjoyed the whole world.
And I was happy with all its people.
32 “Now, my children, listen to me.
Those who follow my ways are happy.
33 Listen to my teaching, and you will be wise.
Do not ignore it.
34 Those who listen to me are happy.
They stand watching at my door every day.
They are at my open doorway, wanting to be with me.
35 Whoever finds me finds life.
And the Lord will be pleased with him.
36 Whoever does not find me hurts himself.
Those who hate me love death.”
Being Wise or Foolish
9 Wisdom has built her house.
She has made its seven columns.
2 She has prepared her food and wine.
She has set her table.
3 She has sent out her servant girls.
She calls out from the highest place in the city.
4 She says to those who are not wise,
“Come in here, you foolish people!
5 Come and eat my food.
And drink the wine I have prepared.
6 Stop your foolish ways, and you will live.
Be a person of understanding.
7 “If you correct someone who makes fun of wisdom, you will get insulted.
If you correct an evil person, you will get hurt.
8 Do not correct someone who makes fun of wisdom, or he will hate you.
But correct a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Teach a wise man, and he will become even wiser.
Teach a good man, and he will learn even more.
10 “Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord.
And understanding begins with knowing God, the Holy One.
11 If you live wisely, you will live a long time.
Wisdom will add years to your life.
12 The wise person is rewarded by his wisdom.
But a person who makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it.”
13 Foolishness is like a loud woman.
She does not have wisdom or knowledge.
14 She sits at the door of her house.
It is at the highest place in the city.
15 She calls out to those who are passing by.
They are minding their own business.
16 She says to those who are not wise,
“Come in here, you foolish people!
17 Stolen water is sweeter.
Stolen food tastes better.”
18 But these people don’t know that everyone dies who goes there.
They don’t realize that her guests are deep in the grave.
The Proverbs of Solomon
10 These are the wise words of Solomon:
A wise son makes his father happy.
But a foolish son makes his mother sad.
2 Riches gotten by doing wrong have no value.
But right living will save you from death.
3 The Lord does not let people who live right go hungry.
But he does not let evil people get what they hunger for.
4 A lazy person will end up poor.
But a hard worker will become rich.
5 A son who gathers crops when they are ready is wise.
But the son who sleeps through the harvest is a disgrace.
6 People who do what is right will have rich blessings.
But the wicked will be overwhelmed by violence.
7 Good people will be remembered as a blessing.
But evil people will soon be forgotten.
8 A wise person does what he is told.
But a talkative fool will be ruined.
9 The honest person will live safely.
But the one who is dishonest will be caught.
10 A wink may get you into trouble.
And foolish talk will lead to your ruin.
11 Like a fountain of water, the words of a good person give life.
But the words of the wicked contain nothing but violence.
12 Hatred stirs up trouble.
But love forgives all wrongs.
13 You can expect wise people to speak with understanding.
But people without wisdom can expect to be punished.
14 Wise people don’t tell everything they know.
But a foolish person talks too much and is ruined.
15 Having lots of money protects the rich.
But having no money destroys the poor.
16 Good people are rewarded with life.
But evil people are paid back with punishment.
17 The person who accepts correction is on the way to life.
But the person who ignores correction will be ruined.
18 Whoever hides his hate is a liar.
Whoever tells lies is a fool.
19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin.
If you are wise, you will keep quiet.
20 The words of a good person are like pure silver.
But an evil person’s thoughts are worth little.
21 A good person’s words will help many others.
But a foolish person dies because he doesn’t have wisdom.
22 The Lord’s blessing brings wealth.
And with it comes no sorrow.
23 A foolish person enjoys doing wrong.
But a person with understanding enjoys doing what is wise.
24 An evil person will get what he fears most.
But a good person will receive what he wants most.
25 A storm will blow the evil person away.
But a good person will always be safe.
26 A lazy person brings trouble to the one he works for.
He bothers others like vinegar on the teeth or smoke in the eyes.
27 Whoever respects the Lord will have a long life.
But an evil person will have his life cut short.
28 A good person can look forward to happiness.
But an evil person can expect nothing.
29 The Lord will protect good people.
But he will ruin those who do evil.
30 Good people will always be safe.
But evil people will not remain in the land.
31 A good person says wise things.
But a liar’s tongue will be stopped.
32 Good people say the right thing.
But the wicked tell lies.
11 The Lord hates dishonest scales.
But he is pleased with correct weights.
2 Pride leads only to shame.
It is wise not to be proud.
3 Good people will be guided by honesty.
But dishonesty will destroy those who are not trustworthy.
4 Riches will not help when it’s time to die.
But doing what is right will save you from dying too soon.
5 The goodness of an innocent person makes his life easier.
But a wicked person will be destroyed by his wickedness.
6 Doing what is right brings freedom to honest people.
But those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires.
7 When a wicked person dies, his hope is gone.
The hopes he placed in his riches will come to nothing.
8 The good man is saved from trouble.
It comes to the wicked instead.
9 By his words an evil person can destroy his neighbor.
But a good person will escape by being smart.
10 When good people succeed, the city is happy.
When evil people die, there are shouts of joy.
11 The influence of good people makes a city great.
But the wicked can destroy it with their words.
12 A person without good sense finds fault with his neighbor.
But a person with understanding keeps quiet.
13 A person who gossips can’t keep secrets.
But a trustworthy person can keep a secret.
14 Without leadership a nation will be defeated.
But when many people give advice, it will be safe.
15 Whoever guarantees to pay what somebody else owes will suffer.
It is safer to avoid such promises.
16 A kind woman is respected.
But cruel men get wealth.
17 A kind person is doing himself a favor.
But a cruel person brings trouble on himself.
18 An evil person really gains nothing from what he earns.
But a good person will surely be rewarded.
19 Those who are truly good will live.
But those who chase after evil will die.
20 The Lord hates those with evil hearts.
But he is pleased with those who are innocent.
21 You can be sure that evil people will be punished.
But those who do what is right will not be punished.
22 A beautiful woman without good sense
is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
23 The wishes of those who do right will come true.
But the hopes of the wicked will be defeated by God’s anger.
24 Some people give much but get back even more.
But others don’t give what they should, and they end up poor.
25 A person who gives to others will get richer.
Whoever helps others will himself be helped.
26 People curse someone who keeps all the grain for himself.
But they bless a person who is willing to sell it.
27 Whoever looks for good will find kindness.
But whoever looks for evil will find trouble.
28 Those who trust in riches will be ruined.
But a good person will be as healthy as a green leaf.
29 Whoever brings trouble to his family will be left with nothing but the wind.
And a foolish person will become a servant to the wise.
30 As a tree makes fruit, a good person gives life to others.
The wise person shows others how to be wise.
31 Good people will be rewarded on earth.
So the wicked and the sinners will also be punished.
12 Anyone who loves learning accepts being corrected.
But a person who hates being corrected is stupid.
2 The Lord is pleased with a good person.
But he will punish anyone who plans evil.
3 Doing evil brings a person no safety at all.
But a good person has safety and security.
4 A good wife is like a crown for her husband.
But a disgraceful wife is like a disease in his bones.
5 The plans that good people make are fair.
But the advice of the wicked will trick you.
6 The wicked talk of killing people.
But the words of good people will save them.
7 Wicked people die and leave nothing behind.
But a good man’s family goes on.
8 A wise person is praised.
But a stupid person is not respected.
9 A person might not be important but still have a servant.
He is better off than someone who acts important but has no food.
10 A good man takes care of his animals.
But even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
11 The person who works his land will have plenty of food.
But the one who chases useless dreams isn’t wise.
12 Evil people want what other evil people have stolen.
But good people want to give to others.
13 Evil people are trapped by their evil talk.
But good people stay out of trouble.
14 A person will be rewarded for what he says.
And he will also be rewarded for what he does.
15 A foolish person thinks he is doing right.
But a wise person listens to advice.
16 A foolish person quickly shows that he is upset.
But a wise person ignores an insult.
17 An honest witness tells the truth.
But a dishonest witness tells lies.
18 Careless words stab like a sword.
But wise words bring healing.
19 Truth will last forever.
But lies last only a moment.
20 Those who plan evil mean to lie.
But those who plan peace will be happy.
21 No harm comes to a good person.
But an evil person’s life is full of trouble.
22 The Lord hates those who tell lies.
But he is pleased with those who do what they promise.
23 A wise person keeps what he knows to himself.
But a foolish person shows how foolish he is.
24 Hard workers will become leaders.
But those who are lazy will be slaves.
25 Worry makes a person feel as if he is carrying a heavy load.
But a kind word cheers up a person.
26 A good person takes advice from his friends.
But an evil person is easily led to do wrong.
27 A lazy person catches no food to cook.
But a hard worker will have great wealth.
28 Doing what is right is the way to life.
But there is another way that leads to death.
13 A wise son takes his father’s advice.
But a person who makes fun of wisdom won’t listen to correction.
2 A person will be rewarded for what he says.
But those who can’t be trusted want only violence.
3 Whoever is careful about what he says protects his life.
But anyone who speaks without thinking will be ruined.
4 The lazy person will not get what he wants.
But a hard worker gets everything he wants.
5 Good people hate what is false.
But wicked people do shameful and disgraceful things.
6 Doing what is right protects the honest person.
But evil ruins the sinner.
7 Some people pretend to be rich but really have nothing.
Other people pretend to be poor but really are wealthy.
8 A rich man may have to pay a ransom for his life.
But a poor person will never have to face such a danger.
9 Good people will live long like bright flames.
But the wicked will die like a flame going out.
10 Pride leads to arguments.
But those who take advice are wise.
11 Money that comes easily disappears quickly.
But money that is gathered little by little will slowly grow.
12 It is sad when you don’t get what you hoped for.
But when wishes come true, it’s like eating fruit from the tree of life.
13 Whoever rejects what he is taught will pay for it.
But whoever does what he is told will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of a wise person gives life.
It is like a fountain of water that can save people from death.
15 People with good understanding will be liked.
But the lives of those who are not trustworthy are hard.
16 Every wise person acts with good sense.
But a foolish person shows how foolish he is.
17 A wicked messenger brings nothing but trouble.
But a trustworthy one makes everything right.
18 A person who refuses correction will end up poor and disgraced.
But a person who accepts correction will be honored.
19 It is so good when wishes come true.
But foolish people still refuse to stop doing evil.
20 Whoever spends time with wise people will become wise.
But whoever makes friends with fools will suffer.
21 Trouble always comes to sinners.
But good people enjoy success.
22 Good people’s wealth will be inherited by their grandchildren.
And a sinner’s wealth will be saved for good people.
23 A poor man’s field might have plenty of food.
But unfair people steal it from him.
24 If a person does not punish his children, he does not love them.
But the person who loves his children is careful to correct them.
25 Good people have enough to eat.
But the wicked will go hungry.
14 A wise woman strengthens her family.
But a foolish woman destroys hers by what she does.
2 People who live good lives show respect for the Lord.
But those who live evil lives show no respect for him.
3 A foolish person will be punished for his proud words.
But a wise person’s words will protect him.
4 When there are no oxen, there is no food in the barn.
But with the strength of an ox, much grain can be grown.
5 A truthful witness does not lie.
But a false witness tells nothing but lies.
6 Those who make fun of wisdom look for it but do not find it.
But the person with understanding easily finds knowledge.
7 Stay away from a foolish person.
You won’t learn anything from him.
8 What makes a person wise is understanding what to do.
But what makes a person foolish is dishonesty.
9 Foolish people don’t care if they sin.
But honest people work at being right with others.
10 No one else can know your sadness.
Strangers cannot share your joy.
11 The wicked person’s house will be destroyed.
But a good person’s tent will still be standing.
12 Some people think they are doing what’s right.
But what they are doing will really kill them.
13 When someone is laughing, he may be sad inside.
And when the laughter is over, there is sorrow.
14 Evil people will be paid back for their evil ways.
And good people will be rewarded for their good ones.
15 A foolish person will believe anything.
But a wise person thinks about what he does.
16 A wise person is careful and stays out of trouble.
But a foolish person is quick to act and careless.
17 A person who quickly loses his temper does foolish things.
But a person with understanding remains calm.
18 Foolish people get nothing for their work but more foolishness.
But wise people are rewarded with knowledge.
19 Evil people will have to bow down to good people.
The wicked will bow down at the door of those who do right.
20 The poor are rejected, even by their neighbors.
But rich people have many friends.
21 It is a sin to hate your neighbor.
But being kind to the needy brings happiness.
22 Those who make evil plans will be ruined.
But people love and trust those who plan to do good.
23 Those who work hard make a profit.
But those who only talk will be poor.
24 Wise people are rewarded with wealth.
But foolish people will only be rewarded with more foolishness.
25 A truthful witness saves lives.
But a false witness is a traitor.
26 A person who respects the Lord will have security.
And his children will be protected.
27 Respect for the Lord gives life.
It is like a fountain of water that can save people from death.
28 A king is honored when he has many people to rule.
But a prince is ruined if he has none.
29 A person who does not quickly get angry shows that he has understanding.
But a person who quickly loses his temper shows his foolishness.
30 Peace of mind means a healthy body.
But jealousy will rot your bones.
31 Whoever is cruel to the poor insults their Maker.
But anyone who is kind to the needy honors God.
32 The wicked are ruined by their own evil.
But those who do what is right are protected by their honesty.
33 The person who has understanding has wisdom.
And even fools recognize it.
34 Doing what is right makes a nation great.
But sin will bring disgrace to any people.
35 A king is pleased with a wise servant.
But he will become angry with one who causes him shame.
15 A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger.
But an unkind answer will cause more anger.
2 Wise people use knowledge when they speak.
But fools speak only foolishness.
3 The Lord’s eyes see everything that happens.
He watches both evil and good people.
4 As a tree gives us fruit, healing words give us life.
But evil words crush the spirit.
5 A foolish person rejects his father’s correction.
But anyone who accepts correction is wise.
6 There is much wealth in the houses of good people.
But evil people are paid only with trouble.
7 With their words wise people spread knowledge.
But there is no knowledge in the thoughts of the foolish.
8 The Lord hates the sacrifice that the wicked person offers.
But he is pleased with an honest person’s prayer.
9 The Lord hates what evil people do.
But he loves those who do what is right.
10 The person who quits doing what is right will really be punished.
The one who hates to be corrected will die.
11 The Lord knows what is happening where the dead people are.
So he can surely know what living people are thinking.
12 A person who laughs at wisdom does not like to be corrected.
He will not ask advice from the wise.
13 Happiness makes a person smile.
But sadness breaks a person’s spirit.
14 Smart people want more knowledge.
But a foolish person just wants more foolishness.
15 Every day is hard for those who suffer.
But a happy heart makes it like a continual feast.
16 It is better to be poor and respect the Lord
than to be wealthy and have much trouble.
17 It is better to eat vegetables with those who love you
than to eat meat with those who hate you.
18 A person who quickly gets angry causes trouble.
But a person who controls his temper stops a quarrel.
19 A lazy person’s life is as difficult as walking through a patch of thorns.
But an honest person’s life is as easy as walking down a smooth highway.
20 A wise son makes his father happy.
But a foolish person hates his mother.
21 A man without wisdom enjoys being foolish.
But a man with understanding does what is right.
22 Plans fail without good advice.
But plans succeed when you get advice from many others.
23 People enjoy giving good answers!
Saying the right word at the right time is so pleasing!
24 A wise person does things that will make his life better.
He avoids whatever would cause his death.
25 The Lord will tear down the proud person’s house.
But he will protect the property of a widow.
26 The Lord hates evil thoughts.
But he is pleased with kind words.
27 A greedy person brings trouble to his family.
But the person who can’t be paid to do wrong will live.
28 Good people think before they answer.
But the wicked simply give evil answers.
29 The Lord does not listen to the wicked.
But he hears the prayers of those who do right.
30 Good news makes you feel better.
Your happiness will show in your eyes.
31 A wise person pays attention to correction
that will improve his life.
32 A person who refuses correction hates himself.
But a person who accepts correction gains understanding.
33 Respect for the Lord will teach you wisdom.
If you want to be honored, you must not be proud.
16 People make plans in their hearts.
But only the Lord can make those plans come true.
2 A person may believe he is doing right.
But the Lord will judge his reasons.
3 Depend on the Lord in whatever you do.
Then your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord makes everything work the way he wants it.
He even has a day of disaster for evil people.
5 The Lord hates those who are proud.
You can be sure that they will be punished.
6 Love and truth bring forgiveness of sin.
By respecting the Lord you will avoid evil.
7 A person should live so that he pleases the Lord.
If he does, even his enemies will make peace with him.
8 It is better to be poor and do what is right
than to be wealthy and be unfair.
9 A person may think up plans.
But the Lord decides what he will do.
10 The words of a king are like a message from God.
So his decisions should be fair.
11 The Lord wants honest balances and scales to be used.
He wants all weights to be honest.
12 Kings hate those who do wrong
because governments only last if they are fair.
13 Kings are pleased with those who speak honest words.
They value a person who speaks the truth.
14 If a king becomes angry, he may put someone to death.
So a wise man will try to keep peace.
15 A king’s kindness can give people life.
His kindness is like a spring shower.
16 It is better to get wisdom than gold.
It is better to choose understanding than silver!
17 A good person stays away from evil.
A person who watches what he does protects his life.
18 Pride leads to destruction.
A proud attitude brings ruin.
19 It is better not to be proud and to be with those who suffer
than to share stolen property with proud people.
20 Whoever pays attention to what he is taught will succeed.
And whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.
21 A wise person is known for his understanding.
He wins people to his side with pleasant words.
22 Understanding is like a fountain of water which gives life to those who use it.
But foolishness will cause foolish people to be punished.
23 A wise person’s mind tells him what to say.
This helps him to teach others better.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb.
They make a person happy and healthy.
25 Some people think they are doing what’s right.
But in the end it causes them to die.
26 The worker’s hunger helps him.
His desire to eat makes him work.
27 An evil person makes evil plans.
And his words are like a burning fire.
28 An evil person causes trouble.
And a person who gossips ruins friendships.
29 A cruel man tricks his neighbor.
He leads him to do wrong.
30 Someone who winks at you is planning evil.
And the one who grins at you is about to do something wrong.
31 Gray hair is like a crown of honor.
You earn it by living a good life.
32 Patience is better than strength.
Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.
33 People throw lots to make a decision.
But the answer comes from the Lord.
17 It is better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace
than to have a feast where there is quarreling.
2 A wise servant will rule over his master’s disgraceful son.
And he will even inherit a share of what the master leaves his sons.
3 A hot furnace tests silver and gold.
In the same way, the Lord tests a person’s heart.
4 An evil person listens to evil words.
A liar pays attention to cruel words.
5 If you make fun of the poor,
you insult God, who made them.
If you laugh at someone’s trouble,
you will be punished.
6 Grandchildren are the reward of old people.
And children are proud of their parents.
7 Foolish people should not be proud.
And rulers should not be liars!
8 A person might think he can pay people and they will do anything he asks.
He thinks it will succeed every time.
9 Whoever forgives someone’s sin makes a friend.
But the one who tells about the sin breaks up friendships.
10 A wise man will learn more from a warning
than a foolish person will learn from 100 lashings.
11 A disobedient person is only looking for trouble.
So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to meet a foolish person doing foolish things.
13 If a person gives evil in return for good,
his house will always be full of trouble.
14 Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam.
So stop the quarrel before a fight breaks out.
15 The Lord hates both these things:
letting guilty people go free and punishing those who are not guilty.
16 It won’t do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom.
He doesn’t really want to be wise.
17 A friend loves you all the time.
A brother is always there to help you.
18 It is not wise to promise
to pay what your neighbor owes.
19 Whoever loves to quarrel loves to sin.
Whoever is proud is asking for trouble.
20 A person with an evil heart will find no success.
And the person whose words are evil will get into trouble.
21 It is sad to have a foolish son.
There is no joy in being the father of a fool.
22 A happy heart is like good medicine.
But a broken spirit drains your strength.
23 A wicked person secretly accepts money to do wrong.
Then there will be no fairness.
24 The person with understanding looks for wisdom.
But a foolish person lets his mind wander everywhere.
25 A foolish son makes his father sad.
And he causes his mother great sorrow.
26 It is not good to punish those who have done what is right.
Nor is it good to punish leaders for being honest.
27 The person who has knowledge says very little.
And a person with understanding stays calm.
28 Even a foolish person seems to be wise if he keeps quiet.
He appears to have understanding if he doesn’t speak.
18 An unfriendly person cares only about himself.
He makes fun of all wisdom.
2 A foolish person does not want to understand anything.
He only enjoys telling others what he thinks.
3 Do something evil, and people won’t like you.
Do something shameful, and they will make fun of you.
4 Understanding people’s words is as hard as getting water out of a deep well.
But understanding wisdom is as easy as getting water from a flowing stream.
5 It is not good to honor the wicked.
Nor is it good to be unfair to the innocent.
6 A fool’s words start quarrels.
They make people want to give him a beating.
7 A fool’s words will ruin him.
He will be trapped by his own words.
8 The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food.
People take them all in.
9 A person who doesn’t work hard
is just like a person who destroys things.
10 The Lord is like a strong tower.
Those who do what is right can run to him for safety.
11 Rich people trust their wealth to protect them.
They think it is like the high walls of a city.
12 People who are proud will be ruined.
But those who are not proud will be honored.
13 A person who answers without listening
is foolish and disgraceful.
14 The will to live can get you through sickness.
But no one can live with a broken spirit.
15 The mind of a smart person is ready to get knowledge.
The wise person listens to learn more.
16 Taking a gift to an important person
will help get you in to see him.
17 The first person to tell his side of a story seems right.
But that may change when somebody comes and asks him questions.
18 Throwing lots settles arguments.
It keeps the two sides from fighting.
19 A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city.
And arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace.
20 What you say affects how you live.
You will be rewarded by how you speak.
21 What you say can mean life or death.
Those who love to talk will be rewarded for what they say.
22 A man who finds a wife finds something good.
She shows that the Lord is pleased with him.
23 Poor people beg for mercy.
Rich people give rude answers.
24 Some friends may ruin you.
But a real friend will be more loyal than a brother.
19 It is better to be poor and honest
than to be foolish and tell lies.
2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good.
If you act too quickly, you might make a mistake.
3 A person’s own foolishness ruins his life.
But in his mind he blames the Lord for it.
4 Wealthy people are always finding more friends.
But the poor lose their friends.
5 A witness who lies will be punished.
An untruthful person will not be left unpunished.
6 Many people want to please a leader.
And everyone is friends with those who give gifts.
7 A poor person’s relatives avoid him.
Even his friends stay far away!
He runs after them, begging.
But they are gone.
8 The person who gets wisdom is good to himself.
And the one who has understanding will succeed.
9 A witness who lies will be punished.
An untruthful person will die.
10 No foolish person should live in luxury.
No slave should rule over princes!
11 A wise person is patient.
He will be honored if he ignores a wrong done against him.
12 A king’s anger scares people like the roar of a lion.
But his kindness is as pleasant as the dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son will ruin his father.
And a quarreling wife is as bothersome as dripping water.
14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents.
But a wise wife is a gift from the Lord.
15 Lazy people sleep a lot.
Idle people will go hungry.
16 Whoever obeys the commands protects his life.
Whoever is careless in what he does will die.
17 Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord.
The Lord will reward you for what you have done.
18 Correct your son while there is still hope.
Do not help him destroy himself.
19 A person who is always getting angry will pay for it.
If you help him, you will have to do it again and again.
20 Listen to advice and accept correction.
Then in the end you will be wise.
21 People can make many different plans.
But only the Lord’s plan will happen.
22 People want others to be loyal.
So it is better to be poor than to be a liar.
23 Those who respect the Lord will live
and be content, unbothered by trouble.
24 The lazy person may put his hand in the dish,
but he won’t lift the food to his mouth!
25 Whip a person who makes fun of wisdom, and then foolish people will learn how to think.
Just correct a smart man, and he will gain knowledge.
26 A son who robs his father and sends away his mother
brings shame and disgrace on himself.
27 Don’t stop listening to correction, my child.
If you do, you will not obey what you have already learned.
28 An evil witness makes fun of fairness.
And wicked people love what is evil.
29 People who make fun of wisdom will be punished.
And the backs of foolish people will be beaten.
20 Wine and beer make people loud and uncontrolled.
It is not wise to get drunk on them.
2 A king’s anger is like the roar of a lion.
Making him angry may cost you your life.
3 Foolish people are always getting into quarrels.
But avoiding quarrels will bring you honor.
4 A lazy farmer doesn’t plow when he should.
So at harvest time he has no crop.
5 Understanding a person’s thoughts is as hard as getting water from a deep well.
But someone with understanding can find the wisdom there.
6 Many people claim to be loyal.
But it is hard to find someone who really can be trusted.
7 The good person who lives an honest life
is a blessing to his children.
8 A king sits on his throne and judges people.
He knows evil when he sees it.
9 No one can say, “I am innocent.
I have never done anything wrong.”
10 The Lord hates both these things:
dishonest weights and dishonest measures.
11 Even a child is known by his behavior.
His actions show if he is innocent and good.
12 The Lord has made both these things:
Ears that can hear and eyes that can see.
13 If you love to sleep, you will be poor.
If you stay awake, you will have plenty of food.
14 The buyer says, “This is bad. It’s no good.”
Then he goes away and brags about what he bought.
15 There is plenty of gold, and there are many rubies.
But there are only a few people who speak with knowledge.
16 Take the coat of someone who promises to pay what a stranger owes.
Keep it until he pays the stranger’s bills.
17 When a person gets food dishonestly, it may taste sweet at first.
But later he will feel as if he has a mouth full of gravel.
18 Get advice if you want your plans to work.
If you go to war, get the advice of others.
19 Gossips can’t keep secrets.
So avoid people who talk too much.
20 Whoever curses his father or mother
will die like a light going out in darkness.
21 Wealth that is gotten quickly in the beginning
will do you no good in the end.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.