17 It’s better to have a dry piece of bread in quietness,

^ than a house full of feasting with strife.

2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a shameful son,

→ and he’ll share in the inheritance along with the brothers.

3 There’s a crucible and furnace for gold and silver,

^ but it’s Yahweh who tests hearts.

4 Those who do evil pay attention to wicked lips.

≈ A liar listens to a destructive tongue.

5 Anyone who mocks the poor, taunts their maker.

≈ Someone who’s happy about a calamity won’t go unpunished.

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,

≈ and children are proud of their parents.

7 Excellent lips wouldn’t be suitable for a fool,

≈ and certainly deceptive lips don’t suit a ruler.

8 Doing a favour can act like a bribe for the donor.

→ It causes everything they do to prosper.

9 The person who conceals an offence is seeking acceptance,

^ but the one repeating the matter separates close friends.

10 Rebukes work on a sensible person,

more than a hundred lashes on a fool.

11 Only an evil person seeks rebellion

→ and so a cruel opponent will be sent against him.

12 It’s better to meet a mother bear robbed of its cubs,

→ than to meet a fool displaying their foolishness.

13 Someone who returns evil for good,

→ will find that evil never departs from their house.

14 The beginning of a dispute is like a small water leak,

→ so stop it before it breaks out into a quarrel.

15 The person who justifies wicked people,

≈ and the one who condemns an innocent person,

→ are both destestable to Yahweh.

16 Why would a fool need money in their hand

when they have no intention of acquiring wisdom.

17 A true friend loves at all times,

≈ and relatives are born to help during periods of difficulty.

18 A person lacking integrity is quick to give a handshake—

→ guaranteeing a loan in front of their neighbour.

19 The one who loves to disobey, loves contention.

The person who builds a high fence, invites destruction.

20 The person with twisted values won’t find goodness,

≈ and the one with a perverse tongue will descend into disaster.

21 It’s sad for the parents of a child who makes bad choices,

≈ and the father of a fool won’t be a happy person.

22 A cheerful attitude promotes healing,

^ but a crushed spirit makes your bones dry up.

23 A wicked person accepts a secret bribe

→ to pervert the paths of justice.

24 Wisdom is present with the understanding person,

^ but a fool’s eyes are unable to concentrate.

25 A foolish child brings grief to his father,

≈ and bitterness to the mother who gave birth to them.

26 It’s not good to impose a fine on the innocent.

Beating up an official isn’t a good thing to do.

27 A person who’s truly knowledgable, restrains what they say,

≈ and an understanding person stays calm.

28 Even a fool who stays silent is considered to be wise.

≈ The one with closed lips appears to have understanding.