Proverbs 22:15-29

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

¹⁶He that oppresseth the poor, it is to enrich him; he that giveth to the rich, bringeth only to want.

¹⁷Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

¹⁸For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee: they shall be together fitted on thy lips.

¹⁹That thy confidence may be in Jehovah, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.

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

²¹that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?

²²Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate;

²³for Jehovah will plead their cause, and despoil the soul of those that despoil them.

²⁴Make no friendship with an angry man, and go not with a furious man;

²⁵lest thou learn his paths, and get a snare to thy soul.

²⁶Be not of them that strike hands, of them that are sureties for debts:

²⁷if thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

²⁸Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set.

²⁹Hast thou seen a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before the mean.