Teach a youth about the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.

The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is a slave to the lender.

A good name is to be chosen over great wealth;
favor is better than silver and gold.

for the Lord will take up their case
and will plunder those who plunder them.

Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth;
the rod of discipline will drive it away from him.

Don’t be one of those who enter agreements,
who put up security for loans.

or you will learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.

If you have no money to pay,
even your bed will be taken from under you.

The result of humility is fear of the Lord,
along with wealth, honor, and life.

Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself,
and giving to the rich—both lead only to poverty.

Don’t make friends with an angry man,
and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered man,

A sensible person sees danger and takes cover,
but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.

Don’t move an ancient boundary marker
that your fathers set up.

Don’t rob a poor man because he is poor,
and don’t crush the oppressed at the gate,

The rich and the poor have this in common:
the Lord made them both.

Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will stand in the presence of kings.
He will not stand in the presence of unknown men.

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Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise,
and apply your mind to my knowledge.

A generous person will be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.

Drive out a mocker, and conflict goes too;
then quarreling and dishonor will cease.

Haven’t I written for you thirty sayings
about counsel and knowledge,

The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit;
a man cursed by the Lord will fall into it.

The slacker says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”

The one who sows injustice will reap disaster,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

There are thorns and snares on the path of the crooked;
the one who guards himself stays far from them.

The one who loves a pure heart
and gracious lips—the king is his friend.

I have instructed you today—even you—
so that your confidence may be in the Lord.

The Lord’s eyes keep watch over knowledge,
but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

in order to teach you true and reliable words,
so that you may give a dependable report
to those who sent you?

For it is pleasing if you keep them within you
and if they are constantly on your lips.