These are Solomon's proverbs: Wise children make their fathers proud of them; foolish ones bring their mothers grief.

Wise children make their fathers happy. Only fools despise their mothers.

My child, if you become wise, I will be very happy.

A righteous person's parents have good reason to be happy. You can take pride in a wise child.

Let your father and mother be proud of you; give your mother that happiness.

Be wise, my child, and I will be happy; I will have an answer for anyone who criticizes me.

But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son. You are to name him John.

John will be great in the Lord's sight. He must not drink any wine or strong drink. From his very birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,

He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; he will turn disobedient people back to the way of thinking of the righteous; he will get the Lord's people ready for him."

Keep away from such a woman! Don't even go near her door!

Yes, strangers will take all your wealth, and what you have worked for will belong to someone else.

A man can hire a prostitute for the price of a loaf of bread, but adultery will cost him all he has.

Indulging in luxuries, wine, and rich food will never make you wealthy.

Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.

Young people who obey the law are intelligent. Those who make friends with good-for-nothings are a disgrace to their parents.

A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat. People who waste time will always be poor.

After a few days the younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money. He went to a country far away, where he wasted his money in reckless living.

But this son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes, and when he comes back home, you kill the prize calf for him!'