Proverbs 22:13-28

¹³The lazy person says, “There is a lion in the street! I will be killed in the open places.”

¹⁴The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; Yahweh's anger is stirred up against anyone who falls into it.

¹⁵Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far away.

¹⁶The one who oppresses poor people to increase his wealth, or gives to rich people, will come to poverty.

¹⁷Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise and apply your heart to my knowledge,

¹⁸for it will be pleasant for you if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

¹⁹So your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach them to you today—even to you.

²⁰Have I not written for you thirty sayings of instruction and knowledge,

²¹to teach you truth in these trustworthy words, so you may give trustworthy answers to those who sent you?

²²Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the needy at the gate,

²³for Yahweh will plead their case, and he will rob of life those who robbed them.

²⁴Do not make a friend of someone who is ruled by anger and you must not go with one who rages,

²⁵or you will learn his ways and you will take bait for your soul.

²⁶Do not be one who strikes hands in making a pledge, or who puts up security for debts.

²⁷If you lack the means to pay, what could stop someone from taking away your bed from under you?

²⁸Do not remove the ancient boundary stone that your fathers have set.