20 A wise son delights his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

21 Foolishness is a joy to the foolish, but the prudent man walks the straight way.

22 Without advice, businesses will fail, but with many counselors, they will succeed.

23 Joy to a man is in the answer of his mouth, and how good is the word at the right time!

24 The wise man's way of life is upward, to turn away from hell below.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the haughty, but he will strengthen the boundary of the widow.

26 An abomination in the sight of the Lord is the thoughts of the wicked, but the words of the blameless are pleasing to him.

27 He who is covetous will destroy his house, but he who hates gifts will live.

28 The heart of the righteous ponders the answer, but the mouth of the wicked spews out evil. [The ways of the righteous are acceptable in the sight of the Lord; through them even enemies are made friends.]

29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 A bright look gladdens the heart, good tidings fatten the bones.

31 An ear attentive to the doctrine of life dwells among the wise.

32 He that rejecteth instruction careth not for his own soul; but whoever hearkens to reproof acquires understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord teaches wisdom, and humility precedes glory.

Chapter 16

1 To man belong the conjectures of the heart, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All a man's ways are pure in his eyes, but the Lord weighs souls.

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy undertakings shall be done.

4 The Lord hath done all things for his own sake; and even the wicked he watches for the day of calamity.

5 Everyone who is haughty in heart is an abomination to the Lord; We can be sure that he will not go unpunished. [The beginning of the good way is to do righteousness; it is more pleasing in the sight of God than to offer sacrifices. He who seeks the Lord will find knowledge with righteousness; those who truly seek him will find peace.]

6 By mercy and righteousness sin is cleansed, and the fear of the Lord turns away from evil.