Proverbs 22:15-29

¹⁵When folly is bound fast to the heart of a lad, the rod of correction must remove it far from him.

¹⁶He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, must at length give to the rich, and come only to want.

¹⁷Incline thy 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 thy bosom, if they be altogether firmly seated upon thy lips.

¹⁹That thy trust may be in the Lord, have I made them known to thee this day, yea, even to thee.

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

²¹That I might make thee know rectitude, the sayings of truth; that thou mightest bring back answers of truth to those that send thee?

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

²³For the Lord will plead their cause, and despoil the life of those that despoil them.

²⁴Make no friendship with a man given to anger; and with a man of fury thou must have no intercourse:

²⁵Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare for thy own soul.

²⁶Be not one of those that pledge their hand, or of those that are sureties for debts.

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

²⁸Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have established.

²⁹Seest thou a man that is diligent in his work? before kings may he place himself: let him not place himself before obscure men.