Proverbs 22:16-27

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

¹⁷Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

¹⁸For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; They shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

¹⁹That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made 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 answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

²²Rob not the poor, because he is poor: Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

²³For the Lord will plead their cause, And spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

²⁴Make no friendship with an angry man; And with a furious man thou shalt not go:

²⁵Lest thou learn his ways, And get a snare to thy soul.

²⁶Be not thou one of them that strike hands, Or of them that are sureties for debts.

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