[1] A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. [2] The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all. [3] A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. [4] By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. [5] Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them. [6] Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. [7] The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. [8] He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail. [9] He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. [10] Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease. [11] He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend. [12] The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless. [13] The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” [14] The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; He who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there. [15] Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. [16] He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty. [17] Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; [18] For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, [19] So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. [20] Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, [21] That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you? [22] Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; [23] For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them. [24] Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, [25] Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul. [26] Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; [27] If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you? [28] Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set. [29] Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.