New Living Translation

1 Better a dry crust eaten in peace<br>than a house filled with feasting — and conflict.<br> 2 A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son<br>and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.<br> 3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,<br>but the LORD tests the heart.<br> 4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;<br>liars pay close attention to slander.<br> 5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;<br>those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.<br> 6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;<br>parents are the pride of their children.<br> 7 Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;<br>even less are lies fitting for a ruler.<br> 8 A bribe is like a lucky charm;<br>whoever gives one will prosper!<br> 9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,<br>but dwelling on it separates close friends.<br> 10 A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding<br>than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.<br> 11 Evil people are eager for rebellion,<br>but they will be severely punished.<br> 12 It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs<br>than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.<br> 13 If you repay good with evil,<br>evil will never leave your house.<br> 14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,<br>so stop before a dispute breaks out.<br> 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent —<br>both are detestable to the LORD.<br> 16 It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,<br>since he has no heart for learning.<br> 17 A friend is always loyal,<br>and a brother is born to help in time of need.<br> 18 It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt<br>or put up security for a friend.<br> 19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;<br>anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.<br> 20 The crooked heart will not prosper;<br>the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.<br> 21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool;<br>there is no joy for the father of a rebel.<br> 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,<br>but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.<br> 23 The wicked take secret bribes<br>to pervert the course of justice.<br> 24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,<br>but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.<br> 25 Foolish children bring grief to their father<br>and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.<br> 26 It is wrong to punish the godly for being good<br>or to flog leaders for being honest.<br> 27 A truly wise person uses few words;<br>a person with understanding is even-tempered.<br> 28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;<br>with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.<br>