1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; and loving favor rather than silver or gold.

2 The rich and poor have this in common: Jehovah is the maker of them all.

3 The prudent foresees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass along and are punished.

4 By humility and the fear of Jehovah are riches and honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who keeps his soul shall 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 shall reap vanity; and the rod of his anger shall fail.

9 He who has a beneficent eye shall be blessed; for he gives of his bread to the poor.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall leave; yes, condemnation and shame shall cease.

11 He who loves pureness of heart and has grace on his lips; the king will be his friend.

12 The eyes of Jehovah have preserved knowledge, and He overthrows the words of those who deal treacherously.

13 The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!

14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; those abhorred by Jehovah shall fall there.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16 He who oppresses the poor to make increase for himself, and he who gives to the rich, shall surely come to poverty.

17 Extend 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; they shall all be fixed upon your lips,

19 so that your trust may be in Jehovah; I have made known to you this day, even to you.

20 Have I not written to you excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21 that I might make you know the verity 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 in the gate;

23 for Jehovah will plead their case, and plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and do not go with a man of fury,

25 lest you learn his ways and get a snare to your soul.

26 Be not one of those who strike hands, of those who are sureties 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 diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before insignificant men.