 1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver or gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together. The Lord is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent one foresees the evil and hides. But the simple pass on and are punished. 4 By humility and fear of the Lord come riches and honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse. Those who keep their 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 rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 Those who sow iniquity will reap vanity and the rod of their anger will fail. 9 Those who have a bountiful eye will be blessed. For he gives of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scorner and fighting will go out. Quarrels and shame will cease. 11 Grace is on the lips of those who love pureness of heart. The king will be their friend. 12 The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge. He overthrows the words of the transgressor. 13 The lazy say, There is a lion outside, I will be killed in the streets. 14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit. Those despised by the Lord will fall there. 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child. The rod of correction will drive it far from them. 16 Those who crush the poor to multiply for themselves and those who only give to the rich will come to poverty. 17 Bow down your ear and hear the words of the wise and apply your heart to my knowledge. 18 It is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you. They will all be fitted in your lips. 19 Your trust must be in the Lord. I have made this known to you. 20 Have I not written to you excellent things in counsel and knowledge? 21 Thus, I make you know the sureness of the words of truth. Return the words of truth to those who send to you. 22 Do not rob the poor because they are poor nor press down the afflicted in the gate. 23 The Lord will plead their cause and strip the soul of those who plunder them. 24 Do not make friends with an angry person. Do not go with a man of fury. 25 If you learn their ways, you will get a snare to your soul. 26 Do not strike hands or gives assurances+ for debts. 27 If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you? 28 Do not remove the old landmark that your fathers have set. 29 Do you see anyone diligent in their business? They will stand before kings. They will not stand before the unknown.
|