1A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth,

good favor more than silver or gold.

2The rich and the poor meet together;

the Lord is the creator of them both.

3A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself,

but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.

4The reward for humility and fearing the Lord

is riches and honor and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse,

but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.

6Train a child in the way that he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it.

7The rich rule over the poor,

and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble,

and the rod of his fury will end.

9A generous person will be blessed,

for he gives some of his food to the poor.

10Drive out the scorner and contention will leave;

strife and insults will cease.

11The one who loves a pure heart

and whose speech is gracious – the king will be his friend.

12The eyes of the Lord guard knowledge,

but he overthrows the words of the faithless person.

13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!

I will be killed in the middle of the streets!”

14The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit;

the one against whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,

but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

16The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain

and the one who gives to the rich – both end up only in poverty.

The Sayings of the Wise

17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise,

and apply your heart to my instruction.

18For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you,

and they are ready on your lips.

19So that your confidence may be in the Lord,

I am making them known to you today – even you.

20Have I not written thirty sayings for you,

sayings of counsel and knowledge,

21to show you true and reliable words,

so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?

22Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor

and do not crush the needy in court,

23for the Lord will plead their case

and will rob those who are robbing them.

24Do not make friends with an angry person,

and do not associate with a wrathful person,

25lest you learn his ways

and entangle yourself in a snare.

26Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge

or who puts up security for debts.

27If you do not have enough to pay,

your bed will be taken right out from under you!

28Do not move an ancient boundary stone

which was put in place by your ancestors.

29Do you see a person skilled in his work?

He will take his position before kings;

he will not take his position before obscure people.