Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

19 It is better to be poor and honest,
    than to be a fool who speaks lies.
² If you want to do something but you do not know how to do it,
    that is dangerous!
    If you hurry to do it, you will get into trouble.
³ Some people do silly things and so they destroy themselves.
    Then they get angry with the Lord.
⁴ Rich people can easily find new friends.
    But poor people will easily lose their friends.
⁵ If you tell lies in court, the judge will certainly punish you.
    You will not go free!
⁶ Many people want an important person to like them.
    Everyone wants to be the friend of someone who gives lots of gifts.
⁷ If someone is poor, all his family hate him.
    His friends stay away from him.
Even if he goes to ask them for help,
    he cannot find them anywhere.
⁸ If you learn to be wise,
    it shows that you love yourself.
If you understand what is right,
    you will do well.
⁹ If you tell lies in court, the judge will certainly punish you.
    That will be the end of you!
¹⁰ Fools should not live like rich people.
    Even worse, slaves should never have authority over rulers.
¹¹ If someone is wise, he controls his anger.
    When anyone hurts him, he is careful to forget it.
¹² When the king is angry, he makes people afraid,
    like a lion that roars.
But when he is pleased with you,
    that is like dew on fresh grass.
¹³ A foolish child will destroy his father.
    A woman who quarrels with her husband is like rain that never stops.
¹⁴ Your parents may give you riches and a house to live in.
    But only the Lord can give you a wise wife.
¹⁵ A lazy person cannot wake up from sleep.
    If he does no work, he will always be hungry.
¹⁶ If you obey God's commands, you will keep your life safe.
    If you do not respect his teaching, you will die.
¹⁷ If you are kind to poor people, you are lending money to the Lord.
    He will pay back the debt to you.