A Good Name More Desirable than Riches

1A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.

2The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.

3An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.

4The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.

5Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.

7The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.

8He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works.

9He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory an honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses them.

10Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.

11The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.

12But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises wise words.

13The sluggard makes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.

14The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.

15Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are then far from him.

16He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.

17Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,

18that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.

19That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.

20And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.

21I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee.

22Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless man in the gates.

23For the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.

24Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:

25lest thou learn of his ways, and get snares to thy soul.

26Become not surety from respect of a man's person.

27For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed that is under thee.

28Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed.

29It is fit that an observant man and one diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.