1Wine [makes people] mock, liquor [makes them] noisy, and everyone under their influence is unwise.

2The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion. Whoever makes him angry forfeits his life.

3Avoiding a quarrel is honorable. After all, any stubborn fool can start a fight.

4A lazy person does not plow in the fall. He looks for something in the harvest but finds nothing.

5A motive in the human heart is like deep water, and a person who has understanding draws it out.

6Many people declare themselves loyal, but who can find someone who is [really] trustworthy?

7A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is gone.

8A king who sits on his throne to judge sifts out every evil with his eyes.

9Who can say, "I've made my heart pure. I'm cleansed from my sin"?

10A double standard of weights and measures- both are disgusting to the LORD.

11Even a child makes himself known by his actions, whether his deeds are pure or right.

12The ear that hears, the eye that sees- the LORD made them both.

13Do not love sleep or you will end up poor. Keep your eyes open, and you will have plenty to eat.

14"Bad! Bad!" says the buyer. Then, as he goes away, he brags [about his bargain].

15There are gold and plenty of jewels, but the lips of knowledge are precious gems.

16Hold on to the garment of one who guarantees a stranger's loan, and hold responsible the person who makes a loan on behalf of a foreigner.

17Food gained dishonestly tastes sweet to a person, but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel.

18Plans are confirmed by getting advice, and with guidance one wages war.

19Whoever goes around as a gossip tells secrets. Do not associate with a person whose mouth is always open.

20The lamp of the person who curses his father and mother will be snuffed out in total darkness.

21An inheritance quickly obtained in the beginning will never be blessed in the end.

22Do not say, "I'll get even with you!" Wait for the LORD, and he will save you.

23A double standard of weights is disgusting to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.

24The LORD is the one who directs a person's steps. How then can anyone understand his own way?

25It is a trap for a person to say impulsively, "This is a holy offering!" and later to have second thoughts about those vows.

26A wise king scatters the wicked and then runs them over.

27A person's soul is the LORD's lamp. It searches his entire innermost being.

28Mercy and truth protect a king, and with mercy he maintains his throne.

29While the glory of young men is their strength, the splendor of older people is their silver hair.

30Brutal beatings cleanse away wickedness. Such beatings cleanse the innermost being.