✧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 far 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. ✧
World English Bible (WEB). World English Bible (Protestant edition). Public domain.
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He 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 LORD’s eyes 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.
✧19I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
✧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. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,