A good name is more desirable than great riches;

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.n

2 Rich and poor have this in common:

The Lord is the Maker of them all.o

3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,p

but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.q

4 Humility is the fear of the Lord;

its wages are riches and honorr and life.s

5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,t

but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

6 Startu children off on the way they should go,v

and even when they are old they will not turn from it.w

7 The rich rule over the poor,

and the borrower is slave to the lender.

8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,x

and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.y

9 The generous will themselves be blessed,z

for they share their food with the poor.a

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;

quarrels and insults are ended.b

11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace

will have the king for a friend.c

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,

but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!d

I’ll be killed in the public square!”

14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;e

a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.f

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,

but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.g

16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth

and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Pay attentionh and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;i

apply your heart to what I teach,j

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 to be honest and to speak the truth,k

so that you bring back truthful reports

to those you serve?