The Lord Sees Everything
1A kind answer
soothes angry feelings,
but harsh words
stir them up.
2Words of wisdom
come from the wise,
but fools speak foolishness.
3The Lord sees everything,
whether good or bad.
4Kind words are good medicine,
but deceitful words
can really hurt.
5Don't be a fool
and disobey your parents.
Be smart! Accept correction.
6Good people become wealthy,
but those who are evil
will lose what they have.
7Words of wisdom
make good sense;
the thoughts of a fool
make no sense at all.
8The Lord is disgusted
by gifts from the wicked,
but it makes him happy
when his people pray.
9The Lord is disgusted
with all who do wrong,
but he loves everyone
who does right.
10If you turn from the right way,
you will be punished;
if you refuse correction,
you will die.
11If the Lord can see everything
in the world of the dead,
he can see in our hearts.
12Those who sneer at others
don't like to be corrected,
and they won't ask help
from someone with sense.
13Happiness makes you smile;
sorrow can crush you.
14Anyone with good sense
is eager to learn more,
but fools are hungry
for foolishness.
15The poor have a hard life,
but being content is as good
as an endless feast.
16It's better to obey the Lord
and have only a little,
than to be very rich
and terribly anxious.
17A simple meal with love
is better than a feast
where there is hatred.
18Losing your temper
causes a lot of trouble,
but staying calm
settles arguments.
19A lazy person refuses
to clear a thorny path,
but everyone who does right
walks on a smooth road.
20Children with good sense
make their parents happy,
but foolish children
despise them.
21Stupidity brings happiness
to senseless fools,
but everyone with good sense
follows the straight path.
22Without good advice
everything goes wrong—
it takes careful planning
for things to go right.
23Giving the right answer
at the right time
makes everyone happy.
24All who are wise follow a road
that leads upward to life
and away from death.
25The Lord destroys the homes
of those who are proud,
but he protects the property
of widows.
26The Lord hates evil thoughts,
but kind words please him.
27Being greedy causes trouble
for your family,
but you protect yourself
by refusing bribes.
28Good people think
before they answer,
but the wicked speak evil
without ever thinking.
29The Lord never even hears
the prayers of the wicked,
but he answers the prayers
of all who obey him.
30A friendly smile
makes you happy,
and good news
makes you feel strong.
31Healthy correction is good,
and if you accept it,
you will be wise.
32You hurt only yourself
by rejecting instruction,
but it makes good sense
to accept it.
33Showing respect to the Lord
will make you wise,
and being humble
will bring honor to you.