[1] A dry crust eaten in peace is better than steak every day along with argument and strife. [2] A wise slave will rule his master's wicked sons and share their estate. [3] Silver and gold are purified by fire, but God purifies hearts. [4] The wicked enjoy fellowship with others who are wicked; liars enjoy liars. [5] Mocking the poor is mocking the God who made them. He will punish those who rejoice at others' misfortunes. [6] An old man's grandchildren are his crowning glory. A child's glory is his father. [7] Truth from a rebel or lies from a king are both unexpected. [8] A bribe works like magic. Whoever uses it will prosper! [9] Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends. [10] A rebuke to a man of common sense is more effective than a hundred lashes on the back of a rebel. [11] The wicked live for rebellion; they shall be severely punished. [12] It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool caught in his folly. [13] If you repay evil for good, a curse is upon your home. [14] It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, so don't let it begin. [15] The Lord despises those who say that bad is good and good is bad. [16] It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a rebel who has no heart for truth. [17] A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. [18] It is poor judgment to countersign another's note, to become responsible for his debts. [19] Sinners love to fight; boasting is looking for trouble. [20] An evil man is suspicious of everyone and tumbles into constant trouble. [21] It's no fun to be a rebel's father. [22] A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick. [23] It is wrong to accept a bribe to twist justice. [24] Wisdom is the main pursuit of sensible men, but a fool's goals are at the ends of the earth! [25] A rebellious son is a grief to his father and a bitter blow to his mother. [26] How shortsighted to fine the godly for being good! And to punish nobles for being honest! [27] The man of few words and settled mind is wise; therefore, even a fool is thought to be wise when he is silent. It pays him to keep his mouth shut.
