[22:17] Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings,
[22:18] and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them.
[22:19] I want you to put your trust in the Lord; that is why I am going to tell them to you now.
[22:20] I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice,
[22:21] and will teach you what the truth really is. Then when you are sent to find it out, you will bring back the right answer.
[22:22] Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court.
[22:23] The Lord will argue their case for them and threaten the life of anyone who threatens theirs.
[22:24] Don't make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers.
[22:25] You might learn their habits and not be able to change.
[22:26] Don't promise to be responsible for someone else's debts.
[22:27] If you should be unable to pay, they will take away even your bed.
[22:28] Never move an old property line that your ancestors established.
[22:29] Show me someone who does a good job, and I will show you someone who is better than most and worthy of the company of kings.
[23:1] When you sit down to eat with someone important, keep in mind who he is.
[23:2] If you have a big appetite, restrain yourself.
[23:3] Don't be greedy for the fine food he serves; he may be trying to trick you.
[23:4] Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich.
[23:5] Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle.
[23:6] Don't eat at the table of a stingy person or be greedy for the fine food he serves.
[23:7] “Come on and have some more,” he says, but he doesn't mean it. What he thinks is what he really is.
[23:8] You will vomit up what you have eaten, and all your flattery will be wasted.
[23:9] Don't try to talk sense to a fool; he can't appreciate it.
[23:10] Never move an old property line or take over land owned by orphans.
[23:11] The Lord is their powerful defender, and he will argue their case against you.
[23:12] Pay attention to your teacher and learn all you can.
[23:13] Don't hesitate to discipline children. A good spanking won't kill them.
[23:14] As a matter of fact, it may save their lives.
[23:15] My child, if you become wise, I will be very happy.
[23:16] I will be proud when I hear you speaking words of wisdom.
[23:17] Don't be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life.
[23:18] If it is, you have a bright future.
[23:19] Listen, my child, be wise and give serious thought to the way you live.
[23:20] Don't associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food.
[23:21] Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags.
[23:22] Listen to your father; without him you would not exist. When your mother is old, show her your appreciation.
[23:23] Truth, wisdom, learning, and good sense—these are worth paying for, but too valuable for you to sell.
[23:24] A righteous person's parents have good reason to be happy. You can take pride in a wise child.
[23:25] Let your father and mother be proud of you; give your mother that happiness.
[23:26] Pay close attention, son, and let my life be your example.
[23:27] Prostitutes and immoral women are a deadly trap.
[23:28] They wait for you like robbers and cause many men to be unfaithful.
[23:31] Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, and it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly.
[23:32] The next morning you will feel as if you had been bitten by a poisonous snake.
[23:33] Weird sights will appear before your eyes, and you will not be able to think or speak clearly.
[23:34] You will feel as if you were out on the ocean, seasick, swinging high up in the rigging of a tossing ship.
[23:35] “I must have been hit,” you will say; “I must have been beaten up, but I don't remember it. Why can't I wake up? I need another drink.”
[24:1] Don't be envious of evil people, and don't try to make friends with them.
[24:2] Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt.
[24:3] Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding.
[24:4] Where there is knowledge, the rooms are furnished with valuable, beautiful things.
[24:5] Being wise is better than being strong; yes, knowledge is more important than strength.
[24:6] After all, you must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win.
[24:7] Wise sayings are too deep for stupid people to understand. They have nothing to say when important matters are being discussed.
[24:8] If you are always planning evil, you will earn a reputation as a troublemaker.
[24:9] Any scheme a fool thinks up is sinful. People hate a person who has nothing but scorn for others.
[24:10] If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed.
[24:11] Don't hesitate to rescue someone who is about to be executed unjustly.
[24:12] You may say that it is none of your business, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you; he knows. And he will reward you according to what you do.
[24:13] My child, eat honey; it is good. And just as honey from the comb is sweet on your tongue,
[24:14] you may be sure that wisdom is good for the soul. Get wisdom and you have a bright future.
[24:15] Don't be like the wicked who scheme to rob honest people or to take away their homes.
[24:16] No matter how often honest people fall, they always get up again; but disaster destroys the wicked.
[24:17] Don't be glad when your enemies meet disaster, and don't rejoice when they stumble.
[24:18] The Lord will know if you are gloating, and he will not like it; and then maybe he won't punish them.
[24:19] Don't let evil people worry you; don't be envious of them.
[24:20] A wicked person has no future—nothing to look forward to.
[24:21] Have reverence for the Lord, my child, and honor the king. Have nothing to do with people who rebel against them;
[24:22] such people could be ruined in a moment. Do you realize the disaster that God or the king can cause?