Proverbs 22:1-23

¹A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; And better is good-will than silver and gold.

²The rich and the poor meet together; The LORD is the Maker of them all.

³The prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush on, and are punished.

⁴By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.

⁵Thorns and snares are in the way of the deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be far from them.

⁶Train up a child in accordance with his way, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

⁷The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

⁸He who soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.

⁹He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because he giveth of his bread to the poor.

¹⁰Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.

¹¹He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be his friend.

¹²The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous.

¹³The slothful man saith, “There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.”

¹⁴The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; He with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.

¹⁵Folly is bound to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will drive it far from him.

¹⁶He that oppresseth the poor to increase his wealth, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

¹⁷Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And give heed to my instruction!

¹⁸For it will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established upon thy lips.

¹⁹That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.

²⁰Behold, I have written to thee excellent things Concerning counsel and knowledge;

²¹That I may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst bring back words of truth to them that send thee.

²²Rob not the poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute at the gate;

²³For the LORD will maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.