25 Bible Verses About I Am Only Joking (NIV)

¹⁸ Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows ¹⁹ is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. ³ The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. ⁴ The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. ⁵ A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. ⁶ The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble. ⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. ⁸ The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. ⁹ The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness. ¹⁰ Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. ¹¹ Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD - how much more the hearts of men! ¹² A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. ¹³ A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. ¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. ¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. ¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. ¹⁷ Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. ¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. ¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. ²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. ²¹ Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. ²² Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. ²³ A man finds joy in giving an apt reply- and how good is a timely word! ²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. ²⁵ The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact. ²⁶ The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him. ²⁷ A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live. ²⁸ The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. ²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ³⁰ A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. ³¹ He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. ³² He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. ³³ The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

¹⁶ These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;

²⁸ A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

⁸ The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.

² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

³ and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,

²¹ "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, 'is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. ²³ "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

²² The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.

²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

²⁴ Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. ²⁵ When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" ²⁶ Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." ²⁸ Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" ²⁹ Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." ³⁰ So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" ³² Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." ³⁴ "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." ³⁵ Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, ² for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. ³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. ⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. ⁸ This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. ⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; ¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. ¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, ¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. ¹³ Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, ¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. ¹⁹ By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; ²⁰ by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. ²¹ My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; ²² they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. ²³ Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; ²⁴ when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, ²⁶ for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. ²⁷ Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"- when you now have it with you. ²⁹ Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. ³⁰ Do not accuse a man for no reason- when he has done you no harm. ³¹ Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, ³² for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. ³³ The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. ³⁴ He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. ³⁵ The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

¹ Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. ² Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. ³ Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both. ⁴ Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? ⁵ Better is open rebuke than hidden love. ⁶ Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. ⁷ He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. ⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home. ⁹ Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. ¹⁰ Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. ¹¹ Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt. ¹² The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. ¹³ Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman. ¹⁴ If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. ¹⁵ A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; ¹⁶ restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand. ¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. ¹⁸ He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. ¹⁹ As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. ²⁰ Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man. ²¹ The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. ²² Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him. ²³ Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; ²⁴ for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. ²⁵ When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, ²⁶ the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. ²⁷ You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.

¹ Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. ² Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. ³ A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! ⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. ⁶ Like cutting off one's feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. ⁷ Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. ⁸ Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. ⁹ Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. ¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by. ¹¹ As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. ¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. ¹³ The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!" ¹⁴ As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. ¹⁵ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. ¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. ¹⁷ Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own. ¹⁸ Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows ¹⁹ is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!" ²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. ²¹ As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. ²² The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. ²³ Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. ²⁴ A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit. ²⁵ Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. ²⁶ His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. ²⁷ If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. ²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

¹ An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment. ² A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. ³ When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace. ⁴ The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. ⁵ It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice. ⁶ A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. ⁷ A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. ⁸ The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. ⁹ One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. ¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. ¹¹ The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. ¹² Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. ¹³ He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame. ¹⁴ A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? ¹⁵ The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. ¹⁶ A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. ¹⁷ The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. ¹⁸ Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. ¹⁹ An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. ²⁰ From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. ²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. ²² He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. ²³ A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly. ²⁴ A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

¹ To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. ² All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. ³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. ⁴ The LORD works out everything for his own ends- even the wicked for a day of disaster. ⁵ The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. ⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. ⁷ When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. ⁸ Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. ⁹ In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. ¹⁰ The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice. ¹¹ Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making. ¹² Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. ¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth. ¹⁴ A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it. ¹⁵ When a king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. ¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! ¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. ²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. ²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. ²² Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools. ²³ A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. ²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. ²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. ²⁶ The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on. ²⁷ A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. ²⁸ A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. ²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. ³⁰ He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. ³¹ Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. ³² Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. ³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

¹⁹ When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

¹ A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy. ² When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. ³ A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. ⁴ By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. ⁵ Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet. ⁶ An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad. ⁷ The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. ⁸ Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. ⁹ If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace. ¹⁰ Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright. ¹¹ A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. ¹² If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. ¹³ The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both. ¹⁴ If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure. ¹⁵ The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. ¹⁶ When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. ¹⁷ Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. ¹⁸ Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. ¹⁹ A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands, he will not respond. ²⁰ Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. ²¹ If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief in the end. ²² An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. ²³ A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. ²⁴ The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; he is put under oath and dare not testify. ²⁵ Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. ²⁶ Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the LORD that man gets justice. ²⁷ The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.

²¹ As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

¹ Do not envy wicked men, do not desire their company; ² for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. ³ By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; ⁴ through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. ⁵ A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; ⁶ for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. ⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say. ⁸ He who plots evil will be known as a schemer. ⁹ The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker. ¹⁰ If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! ¹¹ Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. ¹² If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? ¹³ Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. ¹⁴ Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. ¹⁵ Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man's house, do not raid his dwelling place; ¹⁶ for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. ¹⁷ Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, ¹⁸ or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him. ¹⁹ Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, ²⁰ for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. ²¹ Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, ²² for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring? Further Sayings of the Wise ²³ These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good: ²⁴ Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"- peoples will curse him and nations denounce him. ²⁵ But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them. ²⁶ An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. ²⁷ Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. ²⁸ Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive. ²⁹ Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did." ³⁰ I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; ³¹ thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. ³² I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: ³³ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- ³⁴ and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. ² Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. ³ A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. ⁴ Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. ⁵ In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them. ⁶ Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. ⁷ The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. ⁸ He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. ⁹ A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. ¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. ¹¹ He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. ¹² The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. ¹³ The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!" ¹⁴ The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it. ¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. ¹⁶ He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich-both come to poverty. ¹⁷ Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, ¹⁸ for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. ¹⁹ So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. ²⁰ Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, ²¹ teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you? ²² Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, ²³ for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them. ²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, ²⁵ or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. ²⁶ Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; ²⁷ if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. ²⁸ Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers. ²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

¹ Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. ² It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. ³ A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD. ⁴ Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man's friend deserts him. ⁵ A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free. ⁶ Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts. ⁷ A poor man is shunned by all his relatives- how much more do his friends avoid him! Though he pursues them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. ⁸ He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers. ⁹ A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish. ¹⁰ It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury- how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! ¹¹ A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. ¹² A king's rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. ¹³ A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. ¹⁴ Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. ¹⁵ Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry. ¹⁶ He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die. ¹⁷ He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. ¹⁸ Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. ¹⁹ A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. ²⁰ Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. ²¹ Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. ²² What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. ²³ The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. ²⁴ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth! ²⁵ Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. ²⁶ He who robs his father and drives out his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. ²⁷ Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. ²⁸ A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. ²⁹ Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.