1A good name is more desirable than great riches,

and high esteem, than gold and silver.* a

2Rich and poor have a common bond:

the Lord is the maker of them all.b

3The astute see an evil and hide,

while the naive continue on and pay the penalty.* c

4The result of humility and fear of the Lord

is riches, honor and life.*

5Thorns and snares are on the path of the crooked;

those who would safeguard their lives will avoid them.

6Train the young in the way they should go;

even when old, they will not swerve from it.*

7The rich rule over the poor,

and the borrower is the slave of the lender.*

8Those who sow iniquity reap calamity,d

and the rod used in anger will fail.*

9The generous will be blessed,

for they share their food with the poor.

10Expel the arrogant and discord goes too;

strife and insult cease.

11The Lord loves the pure of heart;e

the person of winning speech has a king for a friend.

12The eyes of the Lord watch over the knowledgeable,

but he defeats the projects of the faithless.

13The sluggard says, “A lion is outside;f

I might be slain in the street.”*

14The mouth of the foreign woman is a deep pit;g

whoever incurs the Lord’s anger will fall into it.

15Folly is bound to the heart of a youth,

but the rod of discipline will drive it out.*

16Oppressing the poor for enrichment,

giving to the rich: both are sheer loss.*

17The Words of the Wise:*

Incline your ear, and hear my words,h

and let your mind attend to my teaching;

18For it will be well if you hold them within you,

if they all are ready on your lips.

19That your trust may be in the Lord,

I make them known to you today—yes, to you.

20Have I not written for you thirty sayings,

containing counsels and knowledge,

21To teach you truly

how to give a dependable report to one who sends you?

22Do not rob the poor because they are poor,

nor crush the needy at the gate;*

23For the Lord will defend their cause,i

and will plunder those who plunder them.

24Do not be friendly with hotheads,

nor associate with the wrathful,

25Lest you learn their ways,

and become ensnared.

26Do not be one of those who give their hand in pledge,

those who become surety for debts;j

27For if you are unable to pay,

your bed will be taken from under you.*

28Do not remove the ancient landmark*

that your ancestors set up.k

29Do you see those skilled at their work?

They will stand in the presence of kings,

but not in the presence of the obscure.