1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; And better is good-will than silver and gold.

2The rich and the poor meet together; The LORD is the Maker of them all.

3The prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush on, and are punished.

4By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the way of the deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be far from them.

6Train up a child in accordance with his way, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

7The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

8He who soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.

9He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because he giveth of his bread to the poor.

10Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.

11He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be his friend.

12The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous.

13The slothful man saith, “There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.”

14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; He with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.

15Folly is bound to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will drive it far from him.

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

17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And give heed to my instruction!

18For it will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established upon thy lips.

19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.

20Behold, I have written to thee excellent things Concerning counsel and knowledge;

21That I may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst bring back words of truth to them that send thee.

22Rob not the poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute at the gate;

23For the LORD will maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.

24Make no friendship with a passionate man, Nor be the companion of a man prone to wrath;

25Lest thou learn his ways, And take to thyself a snare.

26Be not thou one of those who strike hands, Of those who are sureties for debts.

27When thou hast nothing to pay, Why should thy bed be taken from under thee?

28Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have made.

29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall be the minister of kings; He shall not serve obscure men.