⁷ Stay away from a foolish person.
    You won’t find knowledge in what they say.

⁸ People are wise and understanding when they think about the way they live.
    But people are foolish when their foolish ways trick them.

⁹ Foolish people laugh at making things right when they sin.
    But honest people try to do the right thing.

¹⁰ Each heart knows its own sadness.
    And no one else can share its joy.

¹¹ The houses of sinners will be destroyed.
    But the tents of honest people will stand firm.

¹² There is a way that appears to be right.
    But in the end it leads to death.

¹³ Even when you laugh, your heart can be hurting.
    And your joy can end in sadness.

¹⁴ Those who aren’t faithful will be paid back
    for what they’ve done.
And good people will receive rewards
    for how they’ve lived.

¹⁵ A childish person believes anything.
    But a wise person thinks about how they live.

¹⁶ A wise person has respect for the Lord and avoids evil.
    But a foolish person has a bad temper and yet feels secure.

¹⁷ Anyone who gets angry quickly does foolish things.
    And a person who is tricky is hated.

¹⁸ Childish people act in keeping with their foolish ways.
    But knowledge makes wise people feel like kings.

¹⁹ Evil people will bow down in front of good people.
    And those who do wrong will bow down at the gates of those who do right.

²⁰ Poor people are avoided even by their neighbors.
    But rich people have many friends.

²¹ It is a sin to hate your neighbor.
    But blessed is the person who is kind to those in need.

²² Those who plan evil go down the wrong path.
    But those who plan good find love and truth.

²³ All hard work pays off.
    But if all you do is talk, you will be poor.