Proverbs 22:11-23

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

¹⁸that you may know that they are good: and if you lay them to heart, they shall also gladden you on your lips.

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

²⁰And do you too repeatedly record them for yourself on the table of your heart, for counsel and knowledge.

²¹I therefore teach you truth, and knowledge good to hear; that you may answer words of truth to them that question you.

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 you shall deliver your soul in safety.