- 1A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
- 2The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.
- 3A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
- 4The result of humility and the fear of the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
- 5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.
- 6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- 7The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
- 8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
- 9He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.
- 10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
- 11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
- 12The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
- 13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
- 14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit: he who is under the Lord’s wrath will fall into it.
- 15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
- 16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
- 17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
- 18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
- 19That your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.
- 20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
- 21To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
- 22Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
- 23for the Lord will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
- 24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:
- 25lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.
- 26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
- 27If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
- 28Don’t move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up.
- 29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.