Proverbs

⁴Kind words are like a life-giving tree, but lying words will crush your spirit. ⁵Fools refuse to listen to their father’s advice, but those who accept discipline are smart. ⁶Good people are rich in many ways, but those who are evil get nothing but trouble. ⁷Wise people say things that give you new knowledge, but fools say nothing worth hearing. ⁸The Lord hates the offerings of the wicked, but he is happy to hear the prayers of those who live right. ⁹The Lord hates the way evil people live, but he loves those who try to do good. ¹⁰Whoever stops living right will be punished. Whoever hates to be corrected will be destroyed.