I say to the Lord, “You are my God.” O Lord, pay attention to my plea for mercy!

O Lord, do not let the wicked have their way! Do not allow their plan to succeed when they attack! (Selah)

The Lord is merciful and compassionate; he is patient and demonstrates great loyal love.

My mouth will praise the Lord. Let all who live praise his holy name forever!

Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak.

For I did not obey my teachers and I did not heed my instructors.

So now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words I speak.

The Lord abhors those who are perverse in heart, but those who are blameless in their ways are his delight.

No one can be established through wickedness, but a righteous root cannot be moved.

The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will become a slave.

The backslider will be paid back from his own ways, but a good person will be rewarded for his.

A person who has a quick temper does foolish things, and a person with crafty schemes is hated.

A bright look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the body.

It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.

A laborer’s appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work.

The one who lacks wisdom strikes hands in pledge, and puts up financial security for his neighbor.

The one who obeys commandments guards his life; the one who despises his ways will die.

A person with great anger bears the penalty, but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again.

A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.

Take a man’s garment when he has given security for a stranger, and when he gives surety for strangers, hold him in pledge.