Listen and I will teach you what wise men have said. Study their teachings, and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them. I want you to put your trust in the Lord; that is why I am going to tell them to you now. I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice, and will teach you what the truth really is. Then when you are sent to find out, you will bring back the right answer.
1. Don’t take advantage of the poor just because you can; don’t take advantage of those who stand helpless in court. The Lord will argue their case for them and threatens theirs.
2. Don’t make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers. You might learn their habits and not be able to change.
3. Don’t promise to be responsible for someone else’s debts. If you should be unable to pay, they will take away even your bed.
4. Never move an old boundary-mark that your ancestors established.
5. Show me a man who does a good job, and I will show you a man who is better than most and worthy of the company of kings.
6. When you sit down to eat with an important man, keep in mind who he is. If you have a big appetite, restrain yourself. Don’t be greedy for the fine food he serves; he may be trying to trick you.
7. Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich. Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle.
8. Don’t eat at the table of a stingy man or be greedy for the fine food he serves. Come on have some more he says, but he doesn’t mean it. What he thinks is what he really is. You will vomit up what you have eaten, and your flattery will be wasted.
9. Don’t try to talk sense to a fool; he can’t appreciate it.
10. Never move an old boundary-mark or take over land owned by orphans. The Lord is their powerful defender, and he will argue their case against you.
11. Pay attention to your teacher and learn all you can.
12. Don’t hesitate to discipline a child. A good spanking will not kill him. As a matter of fact, it may save his life.
13. Son, if you become wise, I will be very happy. I will be very proud when I hear you speaking words of wisdom.
14. Don’t be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life. If it is, you have a bright future.
15. Listen, my son, be wise and give serious thought to the way you live. Don’t associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food. Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags.
16. Listen to your father; without him you would not exist. When your mother is old, show her your appreciation. Truth, wisdom, learning and good sense-these are worth paying for, too valuable for you to sell. A righteous man’s father has good reason to be happy. You can take pride in a wise son. Make your father and mother proud of you; give your mother that happiness.
17. Pay close attention, son, and let my life be your example. Prostitutes and immoral women are a deadly trap. They wait for like robbers and cause many men to be unfaithful.
18. Show me someone who drinks too much, who has to try out some new drink, and I will show you someone miserable and sorry for himself, always causing trouble and always complaining. His eyes are bloodshot, and he has bruises that could have been avoided. Don’t let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, though it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly. The next morning you will feel as if you had been bitten by a poisonous snake. Weird sights will appear before your eyes, and you will not be able to think or speak clearly. You will feel as if you were out on the ocean, sea-sick, swinging high up in the rigging of a tossing ship. I must have been hit, you will say; I must have been beaten up, but I don’t remember it. Why can’t I wake up? I need another drink.
19. Don’t be envious of evil people, and don’t try to make friends with them. Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt.
20. Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding. Where there is knowledge, the rooms are furnished with valuable, beautiful things.
21. Being wise is better than being strong; yes knowledge is more important than strength. After all, you must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win.
22. Wise sayings are too deep for a stupid person to understand. He has nothing to say when important matters are discussed.
23. If you are always planning evil, you earn a reputation as a troublemaker. A scheme a fool thinks up is sinful. People hate a person who has nothing but scorn for others.
24. If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.
25. Don’t hesitate to rescue someone who is about to be executed unjustly. You may say that it is none of your business, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you; he knows. And he will reward you according to what you do.
26. Son, eat honey; it is good. And just as honey from the comb is sweet on your tongue, you may be sure that wisdom is good for the soul. Get wisdom and you have a bright future.
27. Don’t be like the wicked who scheme to rob an honest man or take away his home. No matter how often an honest man falls, he always gets up again; disaster destroys the wicked.
28. Don’t be glad when your enemy meets disaster, and don’t rejoice when he stumbles. The Lord will know if you are gloating, and he will not like it; and he might not punish him.
29. Don’t let the evil people worry you; don’t be envious of them. A wicked person has no future-nothing to look forward to.
30. Have reverence for the Lord, my son, and honour the king. Have nothing to do with people who rebel against them; such men could be ruined in a moment. Do you realise the disaster that God or the king can cause?
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