1 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both. 3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. 4 True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life. 5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. 6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. 7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. 9 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. 10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear. 11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. 12 The LORD preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous. 13 The lazy person claims, "There's a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!" 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the LORD angry will fall into it. 15 A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away. 16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. 17 Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. 18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. 19 I am teaching you today-- yes, you-- so you will trust in the LORD. 20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. 21 In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you. 22 Don't rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. 23 For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them. 24 Don't befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. 26 Don't agree to guarantee another person's debt or put up security for someone else. 27 If you can't pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you. 28 Don't cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations. 29 Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.
1 A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank. 2 The rich and the poor shake hands as equals--GOD made them both! 3 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered. 4 The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-GOD is plenty and honor and a satisfying life. 5 The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick; if you know what's good for you, stay clear of it. 6 Point your kids in the right direction--when they're old they won't be lost. 7 The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power. 8 Whoever sows sin reaps weeds, and bullying anger sputters into nothing. 9 Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor. 10 Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down; you need a break from bickering and griping! 11 GOD loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship. 12 GOD guards knowledge with a passion, but he'll have nothing to do with deception. 13 The loafer says, "There's a lion on the loose! If I go out I'll be eaten alive!" 14 The mouth of a whore is a bottomless pit; you'll fall in that pit if you're on the outs with GOD. 15 Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded discipline. 16 Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich--whichever, you'll end up the poorer for it. The Thirty Precepts of the Sages Don't Move Back the Boundary Lines 17 Listen carefully to my wisdom; take to heart what I can teach you. You'll treasure its sweetness deep within; 18 you'll give it bold expression in your speech. 19 To make sure your foundation is trust in GOD, I'm laying it all out right now just for you. 20 I'm giving you thirty sterling principles--tested guidelines to live by. 21 Believe me--these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you. 22 Don't walk on the poor just because they're poor, and don't use your position to crush the weak, 23 Because GOD will come to their defense; the life you took, he'll take from you and give back to them. 24 Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads. 25 Bad temper is contagious--don't get infected. 26 Don't gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, hocking your house against a lucky chance. 27 The time will come when you have to pay up; you'll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back. 28 Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors. 29 Observe people who are good at their work--skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone.
1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. 9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. 11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. 13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. 14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. 17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That 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? 22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. 24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. 26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. 29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor have this in common, The LORD is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail. 9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease. 11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless. 13 The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!" 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; He who is abhorred by the LORD will fall there. 15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. 16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty. 17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; 18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD; I have instructed you today, even you. 20 Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you? 22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; 23 For the LORD will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them. 24 Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, 25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul. 26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you? 28 Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set. 29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all. 3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it. 4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave. 8 He who sows iniquity will reap vanity, And the rod of his fury will perish. 9 He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor. 10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease. 11 He who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the treacherous man. 13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!" 14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the LORD will fall into it. 15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. 16 He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. 17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge; 18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you. 20 Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth That you may correctly answer him who sent you? 22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate; 23 For the LORD will plead their case And take the life of those who rob them. 24 Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, 25 Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself. 26 Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become guarantors for debts. 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take your bed from under you? 28 Do not move the ancient boundary Which your fathers have set. 29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.
1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. 3 A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering]. 4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail. 9 He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. 10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease. 11 He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech--because of the grace of his lips will he have the king for his friend. 12 The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous. 13 The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets! 14 The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it. 15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. 16 He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich--both will surely come to want. 17 Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; 18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them. 19 So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you. 20 Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? 22 Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held], 23 For the Lord will plead their cause and deprive of life those who deprive [the poor or afflicted]. 24 Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate, 25 Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare. 26 Be not one of those who strike hands and pledge themselves, or of those who become security for another's debts. 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you? 28 Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set up. 29 Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. 2 Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. 3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. 4 Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. 5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them. 6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. 10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. 11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!" 14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it. 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. 16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich-both come to poverty. 17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. 20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21 teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you? 22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them. 24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. 26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. 28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers. 29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all. 3 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. 4 The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. 8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. 9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. 10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease. 11 He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor. 13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!" 14 The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it. 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. 16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. 17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, 18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. 19 That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to you. 20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21 to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? 22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, 23 for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them. 24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, 25 lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 26 Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you? 28 Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set. 29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.