Proverbs

¹ take to heart my commands.

² a long life lived full and well.

³ Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.

⁴ in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.

⁵ don't try to figure out everything on your own.

⁶ he's the one who will keep you on track.

⁷ Run to God! Run from evil!

⁸ your very bones will vibrate with life!

⁹ give him the first and the best.

¹⁰ your wine vats will brim over.

¹¹ don't sulk under his loving correction.

¹² a father's delight is behind all this.

¹³ when you make friends with Madame Insight.

¹⁴ her friendship is better than a big salary.

¹⁵ nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.

¹⁶ with the other she confers recognition.

¹⁷ her life wonderfully complete.

¹⁸ Hold her tight—and be blessed!

¹⁹ with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.

²⁰ and dew to descend from the night skies.

²¹ don't for a minute lose sight of them.

²² they'll keep you fit and attractive.

²³ you'll neither tire nor trip.

²⁴ you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.

²⁵ or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,

²⁶ he'll keep you safe and sound.

²⁷ your hand is God's hand for that person.

²⁸ or, "Try me tomorrow," when the money's right there in your pocket.

²⁹ when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

³⁰ always spoiling for a fight.

³¹ Why be a bully?

³² It's the straightforward who get his respect.

³³ but he blesses the home of the righteous.

³⁴ but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.

³⁵ stupid living gets the booby prize.