Use Good Sense
1 If you keep being stubborn
after many warnings,
you will suddenly discover
you have gone too far.
2 When justice rules a nation,
everyone is glad;
when injustice rules,
everyone groans.
3 If you love wisdom
your parents will be glad,
but chasing after bad women
will cost you everything.
4 An honest ruler
makes the nation strong;
a ruler who takes bribes
will bring it to ruin.
5 Flattery is nothing less
than setting a trap.
6 Your sins will catch you,
but everyone who lives right
will sing and celebrate.
7 The wicked don't care
about the rights of the poor,
but good people do.
8 Sneering at others is a spark
that sets a city on fire;
using good sense can put out
the flames of anger.
9 Be wise and don't sue a fool.
You won't get satisfaction,
because all the fool will do
is sneer and shout.
10 A murderer hates everyone
who is honest
and lives right.
11 Don't be a fool
and quickly lose your temper—
be sensible and patient.
12 A ruler who listens to lies
will have corrupt officials.
13 The poor and all who abuse them
must each depend on God
for light.
14 Kings who are fair to the poor
will rule a long time.
15 Correct your children,
and they will be wise;
children out of control
disgrace their mothers.
16 Crime increases
when crooks are in power,
but law-abiding citizens
will see them fall.
17 If you correct your children,
they will bring you peace
and happiness.
18 Without guidance from God
law and order disappear,
but God blesses everyone
who obeys his Law.
19 Even when servants are smart,
it takes more than words
to make them obey.
20 There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks
without thinking.
21 Slaves that you treat kindly
from their childhood
will cause you sorrow.
22 A person with a quick temper
stirs up arguments
and commits a lot of sins.
23 Too much pride brings disgrace;
humility leads to honor.
24 If you take part in a crime
you are your worst enemy,
because even under oath
you can't tell the truth.
25 Don't fall into the trap
of being a coward—
trust the Lord,
and you will be safe.
26 Many try to make friends
with a ruler,
but justice comes
from the Lord.
27 Good people and criminals
can't stand each other.
1 If you get more stubborn every time you are corrected, one day you will be crushed and never recover.
2 Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.
3 If you appreciate wisdom, your parents will be proud of you.
It is a foolish waste to spend money on prostitutes.
4 When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country.
5 If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.
6 Evil people are trapped in their own sins, while honest people are happy and free.
7 A good person knows the rights of the poor, but wicked people cannot understand such things.
8 People with no regard for others can throw whole cities into turmoil. Those who are wise keep things calm.
9 When an intelligent person brings a lawsuit against a fool, the fool only laughs and becomes loud and abusive.
10 Bloodthirsty people hate anyone who's honest, but righteous people will protect the life of such a person.
11 Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to false information, all his officials will be liars.
13 A poor person and his oppressor have this in common—the Lord gave eyes to both of them.
14 If a king defends the rights of the poor, he will rule for a long time.
15 Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.
16 When evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people.
17 Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed.
18 A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law!
19 You cannot correct servants just by talking to them. They may understand you, but they will pay no attention.
20 There is more hope for a stupid fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
21 If you give your servants everything they want from childhood on, some day they will take over everything you own.
22 People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.
23 Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.
24 A thief's partner is his own worst enemy. He will be punished if he tells the truth in court, and God will curse him if he doesn't.
25 It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe.
26 Everybody wants the good will of the ruler, but only from the Lord can you get justice.
27 The righteous hate the wicked, and the wicked hate the righteous.