1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.

2 T he rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.

3 A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.

4 T he reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

5 T horns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them.

6 T rain up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 T he rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 H e who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath will fail.

9 H e who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.

10 D rive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease.

11 H e who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech—because of the grace of his lips will he have the king for his friend.

12 T he eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

13 T he sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!

14 T he mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it.

15 F oolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

16 H e who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich—both will surely come to want.

17 L isten (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;

18 F or it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind; your lips will be accustomed to them.

19 S o that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you.

20 H ave I not written to you excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21 T o make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

22 R ob not the poor, neither oppress the afflicted at the gate,

23 F or the Lord will plead their cause and deprive of life those who deprive.

24 M ake no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate,

25 L est you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare.

26 B e not one of those who strike hands and pledge themselves, or of those who become security for another’s debts.

27 I f you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?

28 R emove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set up.

29 D o you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.