1Every wise woman builds her house, but the stupid woman tears it down with her own hands.

2Those who live right respect the Lord, but those who live dishonestly despise him.

3What stupid people say punishes their pride, but what wise people say will protect them.

4Without oxen, the manger is empty, but a good harvest comes through the ox's strength.

5A trustworthy witness doesn't lie, but a false witness is deceptive.

6It's pointless for a scoffer to look for wisdom, but knowledge comes easily to someone who understands.

7Stay away from stupid people—you won't learn anything from them.

8Sensible people use their wisdom to decide where they're going, but the foolishness of stupid people is treacherous.

9Stupid people laugh at sin, but good people want forgiveness.

10The mind alone knows its sadness, and no one else can share its happiness.

11The house of wicked people will be destroyed, but the tent of good people will prosper.

12There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.

13Even when you're laughing you can be feeling sad—joy can end in grief.

14Disloyal people are repaid for what they do, and good people are rewarded.

15Stupid people believe whatever they're told, but sensible people think about what they're doing.

16Wise people are careful and avoid evil, but stupid people are confidently reckless.

17Quick-tempered people act foolishly, while people who make evil plans are hated.

18The inheritance of stupid people is stupidity, but sensible people are rewarded ²⁹with knowledge.

19Evil people bow down before good people, and the wicked bow down at the doors of those who do right.

20The poor are hated even by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends.

21People who look down on their neighbors are sinners, but those who are kind to the poor are blessed.

22Aren't people who plan to do evil wrong? But those who plan to do good have trustworthy love and faithfulness.

23There's profit in hard work, but just talking leads to poverty.

24The wise are rewarded with wealth, but stupid people are rewarded with stupidity.

25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is treacherous.

26People who honor the Lord are completely safe; he will protect their children.

27Respecting the Lord is like a fountain of life, so you can avoid the snares of death.

28The glory of a king is the number of his subjects, for a ruler is nothing without them.

29If you're slow to get angry, you're very wise; but if you have a short fuse you glorify stupidity.

30A peaceful mind makes your body healthy, but jealousy makes your bones rot.

31Anyone who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but anyone who is kind to the needy honors him.

32Wicked people are brought down by their own evil actions, but those who live right are confident even in death. ³⁰

33Wisdom is at home in a mind that understands, but it's not ³¹found among stupid people.

34Doing right makes a nation successful, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

35A servant who acts wisely is appreciated by the king, but he gets angry with a servant who acts disgracefully.