1Better the poor man who lives honestly than the fool who lies.
2It is bad for men not to reflect, and acting too quickly can lead one astray.
3A man spoils his chances through his own stupidity but it is against Yahweh that his heart rages.
4Wealth multiplies friends, but the poor man is deprived of his only friend.
5The false witness will not go unpunished, the liar will not escape.
6Many are the flatterers of the noble man, the whole world is a friend to the rich man.
7A poor man is hated by all his brothers, and even more so do his friends desert him. He searches for someone to talk to but finds no one.
8He who acquires wisdom loves himself, he who respects knowledge will be happy.
9The false witness will not go unpunished, the liar will perish.
10It is not good that a fool live luxuriously, still less that a slave command princes.
11A clever man is slow to anger; his glory lies in forgetting offenses.
12The angry king is like a roaring lion but his favor is like the dew on the grass.
13The foolish son is the ruination of his father; the nagging wife is like a dripping gutter.
14House and wealth are inherited from a father but a sensible wife is a gift from Yahweh.
15Laziness makes a man fall asleep, the idler will go hungry.
16He who keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises it dies.
17He who shows compassion to the poor lends to Yahweh, who will repay his good deed.
18Correct your son as long as there is hope, lest you be responsible for his death.
19The violent man leaves himself open to a fine; if you spare him he will continue.
20Listen to counsel and accept correction, and you will be wise in the end.
21Plans abound in the human heart but only Yahweh’s purpose will be realized.
22Goodness is attractive in a person; better a poor man than a liar.
23Love of Yahweh leads you to life; you will have your fill and live without fear.
24The lazy man dips his hand in the dish but he cannot even lift it to his mouth.
25Punish the mocker and the ignorant will be more careful; rebuke a discerning man and he will listen to reason.
26He who dispossesses his father and evicts his mother is a shameful and degenerate son.
27My son, listen to instruction and stop straying from the words of wisdom.
28An unworthy witness makes a mockery of justice; the mouth of the wicked feeds on evil.
29Punishments were made for mockers and blows, for the backs of fools.
