Proverbs 22:8-28

⁸He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.

⁹He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.

¹⁰Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.

¹¹He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.

¹²The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.

¹³The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets.

¹⁴The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.

¹⁵Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.

¹⁶He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.

¹⁷Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:

¹⁸Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:

¹⁹That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.

²⁰Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge:

²¹That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.

²²Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:

²³Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.

²⁴Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:

²⁵Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.

²⁶Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:

²⁷For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?

²⁸Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.