Our Thoughts Are Tested by the Lord
1 A dry crust of bread eaten
in peace and quiet
is better than a feast eaten
where everyone argues.
2 A wise slave
will be placed in charge
of a no-good child,
and that slave will be given
the same inheritance
that each child receives.
3 Silver and gold are tested
by flames of fire;
our thoughts are tested
by the Lord.
4 Troublemakers listen
to troublemakers,
and liars listen to liars.
5 By insulting the poor,
you insult your Creator.
You will be punished
if you make fun
of someone in trouble.
6 Grandparents are proud
of their grandchildren,
and children should be proud
of their parents.
7 It sounds strange for a fool
to talk sensibly,
but it's even worse
for a ruler to tell lies.
8 A bribe works miracles
like a magic charm
that brings good luck.
9 You will keep your friends
if you forgive them,
but you will lose your friends
if you keep talking about
what they did wrong.
10 A sensible person
accepts correction,
but you can't beat sense
into a fool.
11 Cruel people want to rebel,
and so vicious attackers
will be sent against them.
12 A bear robbed of her cubs
is far less dangerous
than a stubborn fool.
13 You will always have trouble
if you are mean to those
who are good to you.
14 The start of an argument
is like a water leak—
so stop it before
real trouble breaks out.
15 The Lord doesn't like those
who defend the guilty
or condemn the innocent.
16 Why should fools have money
for an education
when they refuse to learn?
17 A friend is there to help,
in any situation,
and relatives are born
to share our troubles.
18 It's stupid to guarantee
someone else's loan.
19 The wicked and the proud
love trouble and keep begging
to be hurt.
20 Dishonesty does you no good,
and telling lies
will get you in trouble.
21 It's never pleasant
to be the parent of a fool
and have nothing but pain.
22 If you are cheerful,
you feel good;
if you are sad,
you hurt all over.
23 Crooks accept secret bribes
to keep justice
from being done.
24 Anyone with wisdom knows
what makes good sense,
but fools can never
make up their minds.
25 Foolish children bring sorrow
and pain to their parents.
26 It isn't fair
to punish the innocent
and those who do right.
27 It makes a lot of sense
to be a person of few words
and to stay calm.
28 Even fools seem smart
when they are quiet.
1 Better is a dry morsell, if peace be with it, then an house full of sacrifices with strife. 2 A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren. 3 As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes. 4 The wicked giueth heed to false lippes, and a lyer hearkeneth to the naughtie tongue. 5 Hee that mocketh the poore, reprocheth him, that made him: and he that reioyceth at destruction, shall not be vnpunished. 6 Childres children are the crowne of the elders: and the glory of ye children are their fathers. 7 Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince. 8 A rewarde is as a stone pleasant in the eyes of them that haue it: it prospereth, whithersoeuer it turneth. 9 Hee that couereth a transgression, seeketh loue: but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth the prince. 10 A reproofe entereth more into him that hath vnderstanding, then an hundreth stripes into a foole. 11 A sedicious person seeketh onely euill, and a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. 12 It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie. 13 He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off. 15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord. 16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart? 17 A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie. 18 A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour. 19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction. 20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill. 21 He that begetteth a foole, getteth himselfe sorow, and the father of a foole can haue no ioy. 22 A ioyfull heart causeth good health: but a sorowfull minde dryeth the bones. 23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement. 24 Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world. 25 A foolish sonne is a griefe vnto his father, and a heauines to her that bare him. 26 Surely it is not good to condemne the iust, nor that ye princes should smite such for equitie. 27 Hee that hath knowledge, spareth his wordes, and a man of vnderstanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Euen a foole (when he holdeth his peace) is counted wise, and hee that stoppeth his lips, prudent.