Through the Bible – Day 246

₁A woman's family

is held together

by her wisdom,

but it can be destroyed

by her foolishness.

₂By living right, you show

that you respect the LORD;

by being deceitful, you show

that you despise him.

₃Proud fools are punished

for their stupid talk,

but sensible talk

can save your life.

₄Without the help of an ox

there can be no crop,

but with a strong ox

a big crop is possible.

₅An honest witness

tells the truth;

a dishonest witness

tells nothing but lies.

₆Make fun of wisdom,

and you will never find it.

But if you have understanding,

knowledge comes easily.

₇Stay away from fools,

or you won't learn a thing.

₈Wise people have enough sense

to find their way,

but stupid fools get lost.

₉Fools don't care

if they are wrong,

but God is pleased

when people do right.

₁₀No one else can really know

how sad or happy you are.

₁₁The tent of a good person

stands longer than the house

of someone evil.

₁₂You may think you are

on the right road

and still end up dead.

₁₃Sorrow may hide

behind laughter,

and happiness may end

in sorrow.

₁₄You harvest what you plant,

whether good or bad.

₁₅Don't be stupid

and believe all you hear;

be clever and know

where you are headed.

₁₆Only a stupid fool

is never cautious—

so be extra careful

and stay out of trouble.

₁₇Fools have quick tempers,

and no one likes you

if you can't be trusted.

₁₈Stupidity leads to foolishness;

be clever and learn.

₁₉The wicked will come crawling

to those who obey God.

₂₀You have no friends

if you are poor,

but you have lots of friends

if you are rich.

₂₁It's wrong to hate others,

but God blesses everyone

who is kind to the poor.

₂₂It's a mistake

to make evil plans,

but you will have loyal friends

if you want to do right.

₂₃Hard work is worthwhile,

but empty talk

will make you poor.

₂₄Wisdom can make you rich,

but foolishness leads

to more foolishness.

₂₅An honest witness

can save your life,

but liars can't be trusted.

₂₆If you respect the LORD,

you and your children

have a strong fortress

₂₇and a life-giving fountain

that keeps you safe

from deadly traps.

₂₈Rulers of powerful nations

are held in honour;

rulers of weak nations

are nothing at all.

₂₉It's clever to be patient,

but it's stupid

to lose your temper.

₃₀It's healthy to be content,

but envy can eat you up.

₃₁If you ill-treat the poor,

you insult your Creator;

if you are kind to them,

you show him respect.

₃₂In times of trouble

the wicked are destroyed,

but even at death

the innocent have faith.

₃₃Wisdom is found in the minds

of people with good sense,

but fools don't know it.

₃₄Doing right brings honour

to a nation,

but sin brings disgrace.

₃₅Kings reward servants

who act wisely,

but they punish those

who act foolishly.

Christ died for our sins,

as the Scriptures say.

₄He was buried,

and three days later

he was raised to life,

as the Scriptures say.

₅Christ appeared to Peter,

then to the twelve.

₆After this, he appeared

to more than five hundred

other followers.

Most of them are still alive,

but some have died.

₇He also appeared to James,

and then to all

the apostles.