1Wine turns you into a mocker, alcohol makes you aggressive; you're stupid to be deceived ⁴⁸by drink.

2When a king gets terribly angry, he sounds like a roaring lion; anyone who makes him furious is liable to be killed.

3Avoiding conflict is the proper thing to do, but stupid people are quick to argue.

4Slackers don't sow when they should, so when harvest comes they don't have anything.

5Discovering what someone is planning in their mind is like looking at deep water, but a person who has understanding will find out.

6Many people tell you they're loyal, but can you find someone really trustworthy?

7Good people live honestly; how happy are their children if they follow them.

8When a king sits in judgment he recognizes all that isn't right.

9Who can claim, “I've made sure my conscience is clean; I've purified myself from sin”?

10The Lord hates both dishonest weights and dishonest measures.

11Even children reveal what they're like by what they do, whether their actions are good and right.

12The Lord made our ears to hear and our eyes to see.

13If you love sleeping you'll become poor. Wake up and get busy, and you'll have plenty to eat.

14“It's really rubbish,” says the one buying, but afterwards goes and boasts to others about making a good deal.

15There's gold and plenty of expensive gemstones, but talking sense is a more valuable jewel.

16If someone guarantees a stranger's debt with their cloak, be sure to take it! Make sure you have whatever is pledged to foreigners!

17Food you get by cheating may taste sweet, but afterwards it will be like a mouthful of gravel.

18With sound advice, plans are successful; if you're going to war, make sure you have good guidance.

19A gossip goes around revealing secrets; stay away from people who talk a lot.

20Anyone who curses their father or mother will have their light put out and end in utter darkness.

21Wealth gained too soon ⁴⁹won't do you any good in the end.

22Don't say, “I'll get you back for doing me wrong.” Leave it to the Lord, and he'll help you.

23The Lord hates incorrect weights; using dishonest scales is wrong.

24The Lord shows us the way to go, so how would we decide for ourselves?

25It's a mistake to make a promise to God and then have second thoughts about it later.

26A wise king separates out the wicked by winnowing and punishes them by threshing. ⁵⁰

27The Lord's light shines on the conscience, revealing our deepest thoughts.

28Trustworthy love and faithfulness keep a king safe; trustworthy love supports his rule.

29Young men value their strength, but the old value even more the wisdom that comes with gray hair.

30Wounds and blows clean away what's evil; beatings clean what's deep down inside.