17-18 Don’t laugh when your enemy falls;don’t crow over his collapse.God might see, and become very provoked,and then take pity on his plight.
19-20 Don’t bother your head with braggartsor wish you could succeed like the wicked.Those people have no future at all;they’re headed down a dead-end street.
21-22 Fear God, dear child—respect your leaders;don’t be defiant or mutinous.Without warning your life can turn upside down,and who knows how or when it might happen?
23 It’s wrong, very wrong,to go along with injustice.
24-25 Whoever whitewashes the wickedgets a black mark in the history books,But whoever exposes the wickedwill be thanked and rewarded.
26 An honest answeris like a warm hug.
27 First plant your fields;then build your barn.