Proverbs

¹ a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

² God made them both!

³ a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

⁴ is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

⁵ if you know what's good for you, stay clear of it.

⁶ when they're old they won't be lost.

⁷ so don't borrow and put yourself under their power.

⁸ and bullying anger sputters into nothing.

⁹ because they give bread to the poor.

¹⁰ you need a break from bickering and griping!

¹¹ good leaders also delight in their friendship.

¹² but he'll have nothing to do with deception.

¹³ If I go out I'll be eaten alive!"

¹⁴ you'll fall in that pit if you're on the outs with God.

¹⁵ the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.

¹⁶ you'll end up the poorer for it.

¹⁷ take to heart what I can teach you. You'll treasure its sweetness deep within;

¹⁸ you'll give it bold expression in your speech.

¹⁹ I'm laying it all out right now just for you.

²⁰ tested guidelines to live by.

²¹ and will keep you accountable to those who sent you.

²² and don't use your position to crush the weak,

²³ the life you took, he'll take from you and give back to them.

²⁴ don't keep company with hotheads.

²⁵ don't get infected.

²⁶ hocking your house against a lucky chance.

²⁷ you'll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.

²⁸ staked out long ago by your ancestors.

²⁹ skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone.