New Living Translation

1 A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline;<br>a mocker refuses to listen to correction.<br> 2 Wise words will win you a good meal,<br>but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.<br> 3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life;<br>opening your mouth can ruin everything.<br> 4 Lazy people want much but get little,<br>but those who work hard will prosper.<br> 5 The godly hate lies;<br>the wicked cause shame and disgrace.<br> 6 Godliness guards the path of the blameless,<br>but the evil are misled by sin.<br> 7 Some who are poor pretend to be rich;<br>others who are rich pretend to be poor.<br> 8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,<br>but the poor won’t even get threatened.<br> 9 The life of the godly is full of light and joy,<br>but the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.<br> 10 Pride leads to conflict;<br>those who take advice are wise.<br> 11 Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;<br>wealth from hard work grows over time.<br> 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,<br>but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.<br> 13 People who despise advice are asking for trouble;<br>those who respect a command will succeed.<br> 14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;<br>those who accept it avoid the snares of death.<br> 15 A person with good sense is respected;<br>a treacherous person is headed for destruction.<br> 16 Wise people think before they act;<br>fools don’t — and even brag about their foolishness.<br> 17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,<br>but a reliable messenger brings healing.<br> 18 If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace;<br>if you accept correction, you will be honored.<br> 19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true,<br>but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.<br> 20 Walk with the wise and become wise;<br>associate with fools and get in trouble.<br> 21 Trouble chases sinners,<br>while blessings reward the righteous.<br> 22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,<br>but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.<br> 23 A poor person’s farm may produce much food,<br>but injustice sweeps it all away.<br> 24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.<br>Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.<br> 25 The godly eat to their hearts’ content,<br>but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.<br>