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Our Thoughts Are Tested by the Lord

17 A dry crust of bread eaten
    in peace and quiet
is better than a feast eaten
    where everyone argues.
A wise slave
will be placed in charge
    of a no-good child,
and that slave will be given
the same inheritance
    that each child receives.
Silver and gold are tested
    by flames of fire;
our thoughts are tested
    by the Lord.
Troublemakers listen
to troublemakers,
    and liars listen to liars.
By insulting the poor,
    you insult your Creator.
You will be punished
if you make fun
    of someone in trouble.
Grandparents are proud
    of their grandchildren,
and children should be proud
    of their parents.

It sounds strange for a fool
    to talk sensibly,
but it's even worse
    for a ruler to tell lies.
A bribe works miracles
like a magic charm
    that brings good luck.
You will keep your friends
    if you forgive them,
but you will lose your friends
if you keep talking about
    what they did wrong.
10 A sensible person
    accepts correction,
but you can't beat sense
    into a fool.

11 Cruel people want to rebel,
and so vicious attackers
    will be sent against them.
12 A bear robbed of her cubs
is far less dangerous
    than a stubborn fool.
13 You will always have trouble
if you are mean to those
    who are good to you.
14 The start of an argument
    is like a water leak—
so stop it before
    real trouble breaks out.
15 The Lord doesn't like those
who defend the guilty
    or condemn the innocent.
16 Why should fools have money
for an education
    when they refuse to learn?

17 (A) A friend is there to help,
    in any situation,
and relatives are born
    to share our troubles.
18 It's stupid to guarantee
    someone else's loan.
19 The wicked and the proud
love trouble and keep begging
    to be hurt.
20 Dishonesty does you no good,
and telling lies
    will get you in trouble.
21 It's never pleasant
to be the parent of a fool
    and have nothing but pain.
22 If you are cheerful,
    you feel good;
if you are sad,
    you hurt all over.

23 Crooks accept secret bribes
to keep justice
    from being done.
24 Anyone with wisdom knows
    what makes good sense,
but fools can never
    make up their minds.
25 Foolish children bring sorrow
    and pain to their parents.
26 It isn't fair
to punish the innocent
    and those who do right.
27 It makes a lot of sense
to be a person of few words
    and to stay calm.
28 (B) Even fools seem smart
    when they are quiet.

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