New Living Translation

1 Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls.<br>Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.<br> 2 The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar;<br>to rouse his anger is to risk your life.<br> 3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;<br>only fools insist on quarreling.<br> 4 Those too lazy to plow in the right season<br>will have no food at the harvest.<br> 5 Though good advice lies deep within the heart,<br>a person with understanding will draw it out.<br> 6 Many will say they are loyal friends,<br>but who can find one who is truly reliable?<br> 7 The godly walk with integrity;<br>blessed are their children who follow them.<br> 8 When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence,<br>distinguishing the bad from the good.<br> 9 Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart;<br>I am pure and free from sin”?<br> 10 False weights and unequal measures —<br>the LORD detests double standards of every kind.<br> 11 Even children are known by the way they act,<br>whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.<br> 12 Ears to hear and eyes to see —<br>both are gifts from the LORD.<br> 13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty.<br>Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!<br> 14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,”<br>then brags about getting a bargain!<br> 15 Wise words are more valuable<br>than much gold and many rubies.<br> 16 Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt.<br>Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.<br> 17 Stolen bread tastes sweet,<br>but it turns to gravel in the mouth.<br> 18 Plans succeed through good counsel;<br>don’t go to war without wise advice.<br> 19 A gossip goes around telling secrets,<br>so don’t hang around with chatterers.<br> 20 If you insult your father or mother,<br>your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.<br> 21 An inheritance obtained too early in life<br>is not a blessing in the end.<br> 22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.”<br>Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.<br> 23 The LORD detests double standards;<br>he is not pleased by dishonest scales.<br> 24 The LORD directs our steps,<br>so why try to understand everything along the way?<br> 25 Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God (Elohim)<br>and only later counting the cost.<br> 26 A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat,<br>then runs his threshing wheel over them.<br> 27 The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit,<br>exposing every hidden motive.<br> 28 Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king;<br>his throne is made secure through love.<br> 29 The glory of the young is their strength;<br>the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.<br> 30 Physical punishment cleanses away evil;<br>such discipline purifies the heart.<br>