1A good name is worth more than great riches. To be loved is better than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor meet together. The LORD is the maker of them all.
3A wise man sees trouble coming and hides himself. But the simple walk on, and are punished.
4Humility and the fear of the LORD bring riches, honour, and life.
5Thorns and traps lie in the way of the crooked man. Whoever guards his soul will stay far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go. When he is old, he will not turn away from it.
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8Whoever sows evil will reap emptiness, and the rod of his anger will fail.
9The generous man will be blessed, for he gives some of his bread to the poor.
10Throw out the mocker, and arguing will go out too. Yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11Whoever loves a pure heart, and whose words are gracious, will have the king for his friend.
12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, and he overturns the words of the man who breaks the law.
13The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside. I shall be killed in the streets."
14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit. The man the LORD hates will fall into it.
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
16Whoever crushes the poor to make himself richer, and whoever gives to the rich, will surely come to need.
17Bend down your ear and hear the words of the wise. Set your heart on my knowledge.
18It is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you. They will be ready on your lips as well.
19So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have made these things known to you today, even to you.
20Have I not written excellent things to you, full of advice and knowledge?
21I did it to make you know what is certain in the words of truth. Then you can bring back true words to those who send you.
22Do not rob the poor man because he is poor. Do not crush the suffering man in the gate.
23For the LORD will plead their cause, and will take the life of those who took from them.
24Make no friendship with an angry man. Do not go with a man who rages.
25If you do, you will learn his ways, and set a trap for your own soul.
26Do not be one of those who shake hands on a deal, or who promise to pay another man's debts.
27If you have nothing to pay with, why should he take away the bed from under you?
28Do not move the old boundary stone that your fathers set up.
29Do you see a man who works hard at his business? He will stand before kings. He will not stand before common men.