1It is better to have a dry piece of bread with peace and quiet than a house full of food with fighting.
2A wise servant will rule over a son who brings shame, and will get a share of the inheritance along with the brothers.
3Just as a pot refines silver and a furnace refines gold, Yahweh tests people's hearts.
4An evil person listens to wicked gossip. A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5Whoever makes fun of the poor insults their Creator. Someone who celebrates another's misfortune will not go unpunished.
6Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the elderly, and parents are the pride of their children.
7Pompous talk doesn't suit a foolish person, and lying words certainly don't suit a leader.
8A bribe is like a magic charm to the giver; wherever they turn, they succeed.
9Whoever overlooks an offense promotes love, but whoever keeps bringing up a matter separates close friends.
10A rebuke has a greater impact on an understanding person than a hundred lashes on a fool.
11An evil person only looks for rebellion; therefore, a cruel messenger will be sent against them.
12It is better to encounter a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in their foolishness.
13If someone repays good with evil, trouble will never leave their home.
14Starting an argument is like making a small crack in a dam, so stop a dispute before it breaks out into a fight.
15Yahweh detests both anyone who declares the wicked innocent and anyone who condemns the righteous.
16Why should a fool have money to buy wisdom, since they lack understanding?
17A friend shows love at all times, and a brother is there to help in difficult times.
18A person who lacks good sense makes a promise to pay someone else's debt, becoming responsible for their neighbor's loan.
19Anyone who loves to disobey loves to argue. Someone who builds their status too high invites ruin.
20A person with a twisted heart will not find happiness, and someone with a deceitful tongue will fall into trouble.
21A father whose child is foolish experiences sorrow. The parent of a fool has no happiness.
22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.
23A wicked person secretly accepts bribes to corrupt the course of justice.
24A wise person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander everywhere.
25A foolish child brings sadness to his father and bitterness to his mother.
26It is not right to punish innocent people, nor to beat officials who are honest.
27Anyone who controls their words has knowledge. Anyone who stays calm is a person of understanding.
28Even a foolish person is considered wise when they remain silent; if they keep their mouth shut, they are thought to be smart.