22 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor have this in common,
the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foresees the evil and hides himself,
but the simple pass on and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord
are riches, and honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
he who guards his soul will be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows iniquity will reap vanity,
and the rod of his anger will fail.
9 He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out;
yes, strife and reproach will cease.
11 He who loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips
the king will be his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,
and He overthrows the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful man says, “There is a lion without!
I will be slain in the streets!”
14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;
he who is detested by the Lord will fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child,
but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,
and he who gives to the rich, will surely come to want.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
Saying One
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge;
18 for it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
they will readily be fitted in your lips.
19 That your trust may be in the Lord,
I have made known to you this day, even to you.
20 Have I not written to you excellent things
in counsels and knowledge,
21 that I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
that you might answer the words of truth
to those who send to you?
Saying Two
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
neither oppress the afflicted in the gate;
23 for the Lord will plead their cause,
and spoil the soul of those who spoiled them.
Saying Three
24 Make no friendship with an angry man,
and with a furious man you will not go,
25 lest you learn his ways
and get a snare to your soul.
Saying Four
26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge,
or of those who use securities for debts;
27 if you have nothing to pay,
why should he take away your bed from under you?
Saying Five
28 Do not remove the ancient landmark
which your fathers have set.
Saying Six
29 Do you see a man diligent in his business?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.