|
|
|
| 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. |
Choose a good reputation over great riches,
for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. 3 A prudent person foresees the danger ahead 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 The deceitful walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will stay away. 6 Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it. 7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 Those who plant seeds of injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will end. 9 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. 10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting, quarrels, and insults will disappear. 11 Anyone who loves a pure heart and gracious speech is the king’s friend. 12 The Lord preserves knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the deceitful. 13 The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, “If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!” 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; those living under the Lord’s displeasure will fall into it. 15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it 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 deep within yourself,
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 bring
an accurate report to those who sent you.
|