Proverbs 18:22–19:9

22 He who finds a wife finds what is goodt

and receives favor from the Lord.u

23 The poor plead for mercy,

but the rich answer harshly.

24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.v

19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless

than a fool whose lips are perverse.w

2 Desire without knowledge is not good—

how much more will hasty feet miss the way!x

3 A person’s own follyy leads to their ruin,

yet their heart rages against the Lord.z

4 Wealth attracts many friends,

but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.a

5 A false witnessb will not go unpunished,c

and whoever pours out lies will not go free.d

6 Many curry favor with a ruler,e

and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.f

7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives—

how much more do their friends avoid them!g

Though the poor pursue them with pleading,

they are nowhere to be found.a h

8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;

the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.i

9 A false witness will not go unpunished,

and whoever pours out lies will perish.j