1A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. [Job 31:15; Prov. 14:31.]
3A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering].
4The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. [Eph. 6:4; II Tim. 3:15.]
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail.
9He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. [II Cor. 9:6-10.]
10Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease.
11He 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.
12The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!
14The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it.
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
16He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich--both will surely come to want.
17Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;
18For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.
19So 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.
20Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? [Luke 1:3, 4.]
22Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held], [Exod. 23:6; Job 31:16, 21.]
23For the Lord will plead their cause and deprive of life those who deprive [the poor or afflicted]. [Zech. 7:10; Mal. 3:5.]
24Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate,
25Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare.
26Be not one of those who strike hands and pledge themselves, or of those who become security for another's debts.
27If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?
28Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set up.
29Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.