8A man is praised according to his wisdom,

but men with warped minds are despised.

9Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant

than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,

but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11He who works his land will have abundant food,

but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men,

but the root of the righteous flourishes.

13An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk,

but a righteous man escapes trouble.

14From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things

as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

15The way of a fool seems right to him,

but a wise man listens to advice.

16A fool shows his annoyance at once,

but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

17A truthful witness gives honest testimony,

but a false witness tells lies.

18Reckless words pierce like a sword,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil,

but joy for those who promote peace.

21No harm befalls the righteous,

but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22The Lord detests lying lips,

but he delights in men who are truthful.

23A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself,

but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

24Diligent hands will rule,

but laziness ends in slave labor.

25An anxious heart weighs a man down,

but a kind word cheers him up.

26A righteous man is cautious in friendship,^a

but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

27The lazy man does not roast^b his game,

but the diligent man prizes his possessions.

28In the way of righteousness there is life;

along that path is immortality.