15 If you answer people in a kind way, it stops them being angry.
    But if you say cruel things, it makes people angry.
² When wise people speak, they show that knowledge is good.
    But when fools speak, they only say foolish things.
³ The Lord sees what happens everywhere.
    He is watching what evil people do, and good people too.
⁴ Kind words are like the fruit of a tree that gives life.
    But words that are not honest make people sad and weak.
⁵ A fool hates his father's rules.
    But a wise child learns when his father warns him.
⁶ Righteous people have many valuable things in their homes.
    But the riches of wicked people bring trouble to them.
⁷ When wise people speak, they give knowledge,
    but the minds of fools have nothing to give.
⁸ When wicked people offer sacrifices to the Lord, he hates it.
    But he is pleased when good people pray to him.
⁹ The Lord hates the way that wicked people live.
    But he loves people who want to do what is right.
¹⁰ If you leave God's way, you will receive strong punishment.
    When people warn you, accept it or you will die.
¹¹ The Lord sees clearly into the deep hole of death.
    So you can be sure that he knows people's secret thoughts.
¹² Proud people do not like it when someone warns them.
    They will not ask wise people to give them advice.
¹³ When someone is happy, their face smiles.
    But when someone is sad, their spirit hurts.
¹⁴ Wise people want to learn more.
    But fools only want to know useless things.
¹⁵ Every day is difficult, if you have trouble in your mind.
    But if you are happy, every day is like a feast.
¹⁶ You may be poor, but you respect and obey the Lord.
    That is better than if you are very rich, but you have a lot of trouble.
¹⁷ It is better to eat vegetables with people who love each other
    than to eat good meat with people who hate each other.
¹⁸ Angry people bring quarrels,
    but patient people bring peace.
¹⁹ A lazy person always has problems,
    as if he is walking through thorn bushes.
But an honest person walks on a straight road through life.
²⁰ A wise child makes his father happy.
    But a foolish person does not respect his mother.
²¹ Stupid people are happy when they do foolish things.
    But wise people walk on a straight path.
²² Without good advice, your ideas will never happen.
    But you will do well if you have many advisors.
²³ It makes you happy when you give a good answer to a question.
    It is good when you find the right thing to say at the right time.
²⁴ A wise person walks on a path that leads him up to a long life.
    He keeps away from the path that would lead him down to death.
²⁵ The Lord destroys the homes of proud men.
    But he keeps the land of widows safe.
²⁶ The Lord hates the thoughts of wicked people.
    But kind words please him.
²⁷ Anyone who cheats people to become rich
    will cause trouble for his family.
But anyone who refuses to accept bribes
    will live safely.
²⁸ Righteous people think carefully before they answer someone.
    But when wicked people speak, the result is only trouble.
²⁹ The Lord does not answer the prayers of wicked people.
    But when righteous people pray, he listens.
³⁰ If someone smiles at you, it makes you happy.
    Good news makes you feel strong.
³¹ If anyone accepts teaching that helps him to live in a good way,
    he becomes a friend of wise people.
³² If you refuse to accept it when people warn you,
    you are hurting yourself.
But if you agree to listen,
    you will learn to do what is right.
³³ If you respect and obey the Lord,
    that will teach you wisdom.
If you want to receive honour,
    first learn to be humble.