Proverbs 22:9-23

⁹He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; For he has given of his own bread to the poor.

^9aHe that gives liberally secures victory and honor; But he takes away the life of them that possess them.

¹⁰Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; For when he sits in the council he dishonors all.

¹¹The Lord loves holy hearts, And all blameless persons are acceptable with him: A king rules with his lips.

¹²But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; But the transgressor despises wise words.

¹³The sluggard makes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.

¹⁴The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; And he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it.

^14aEvil ways are before a man, And he does not like to turn away from them; But it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.

¹⁵Folly is attached to the heart of a child, But the rod and instruction are then far from him.

¹⁶He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, Yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.

¹⁷Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: Hear also my word, and apply thy heart,

¹⁸That thou mayest know that they are good: And if thou lay them to heart, They shall also gladden thee on thy lips,

¹⁹That thy hope may be in the Lord, And he may make thy way known to thee.

²⁰And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself On the table of thy heart, for counsel and knowledge.

²¹I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; That thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee.

²²Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: Neither dishonor the helpless man in the gates.

²³For the Lord will plead his cause, And thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.