Proverbs 15:16-33

16You may be poor, but you respect and obey the Lord. That is better than if you are very rich, but you have a lot of trouble.

17It is better to eat vegetables with people who love each other than to eat good meat with people who hate each other.

18Angry people bring quarrels, but patient people bring peace.

19A lazy person always has problems, as if he is walking through thorn bushes. But an honest person walks on a straight road through life.

20A wise child makes his father happy. But a foolish person does not respect his mother.

21Stupid people are happy when they do foolish things. But wise people walk on a straight path.

22Without good advice, your ideas will never happen. But you will do well if you have many advisors.

23It makes you happy when you give a good answer to a question. It is good when you find the right thing to say at the right time.

24A wise person walks on a path that leads him up to a long life. He keeps away from the path that would lead him down to death.

25The Lord destroys the homes of proud men. But he keeps the land of widows safe.

26The Lord hates the thoughts of wicked people. But kind words please him.

27Anyone who cheats people to become rich will cause trouble for his family. But anyone who refuses to accept bribes will live safely.

28Righteous people think carefully before they answer someone. But when wicked people speak, the result is only trouble.

29The Lord does not answer the prayers of wicked people. But when righteous people pray, he listens.

30If someone smiles at you, it makes you happy. Good news makes you feel strong.

31If anyone accepts teaching that helps him to live in a good way, he becomes a friend of wise people.

32If you refuse to accept it when people warn you, you are hurting yourself. But if you agree to listen, you will learn to do what is right.

33If you respect and obey the Lord, that will teach you wisdom. If you want to receive honour, first learn to be humble.