1 The Lord hates anyonewho cheats,but he likes everyonewho is honest.
2 Too much pridecan put you to shame.It's wiser to be humble.
3 If you do the right thing,honesty will be your guide.But if you are crooked,you will be trappedby your own dishonesty.
4 When God is angry,money won't help you.Obeying God is the only wayto be saved from death.
5 If you are truly good,you will do right;if you are wicked,you will be destroyedby your own sin.
6 Honesty can keep you safe,but if you can't be trusted,you trap yourself.
7 When the wicked die,their hopes die with them.
8 Trouble goes right pastthe Lord's peopleand strikes the wicked.
9 Dishonest people use gossipto destroy their neighbours;good people are protectedby their own good sense.
10 When honest people prosperand the wicked disappear,the whole city celebrates.
11 When God blesses his people,their city prospers,but deceitful liarscan destroy a city.
12 It's stupid to say bad thingsabout your neighbours.If you are sensible,you will keep quiet.
13 A gossip tells everything,but a true friendwill keep a secret.
14 A city without wise leaderswill end up in ruin;a city with many wise leaderswill be kept safe.
15 It's a dangerous thingto guarantee paymentfor someone's debts.Don't do it!
16 A gracious womanwill be respected,but a man must work hardto get rich.
17 Kindness is rewarded—but if you are cruel,you hurt yourself.
18 Meanness gets you nowhere,but goodness is rewarded.
19 Always do the right thing,and you will live;keep on doing wrong,and you will die.
20 The Lord hates cunning people,but he likes everyonewho lives right.
21 You can be sure of this:all crooks will be punished,but God's people won't.
22 A beautiful womanwho acts foolishlyis like a gold ringon the snout of a pig.
23 Good people want what is best,but troublemakershope to stir up trouble.
24 Sometimes you can become richby being generousor poor by being greedy.
25 Generosity will be rewarded:give a cup of water,and you will receivea cup of water in return.
26 Charge too much for grain,and you will be cursed;sell it at a fair price,and you will be praised.
27 Try hard to do right,and you will win friends;go looking for trouble,and you will find it.
28 Trust in your wealth,and you will be a failure,but God's people will prosperlike healthy plants.
29 Fools who cause troublein the familywon't inherit a thing.They will end up as slavesof someone with good sense.
30 Live right, and you will eatfrom the life-giving tree.And if you act wisely,others will follow.
31 If good people are rewardedhere on this earth,all who are cruel and meanwill surely be punished.