Proverbs 22:17–23:11

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?

Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poorl because they are poor

and do not crush the needy in court,m

23 for the Lord will take up their casen

and will exact life for life.o

Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,

do not associate with one easily angered,

25 or you may learn their ways

and get yourself ensnared.p

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledgeq

or puts up security for debts;

27 if you lack the means to pay,

your very bed will be snatched from under you.r

Saying 5

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stones

set up by your ancestors.

Saying 6

29 Do you see someone skilledt in their work?

They will serveu before kings;v

they will not serve before officials of low rank.

Saying 7

23 When you sit to dine with a ruler,

note well whata is before you,

2 and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to gluttony.

3 Do not crave his delicacies,w

for that food is deceptive.

Saying 8

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

do not trust your own cleverness.

5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,x

for they will surely sprout wings

and fly off to the sky like an eagle.y

Saying 9

6 Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,

do not crave his delicacies;z

7 for he is the kind of person

who is always thinking about the cost.b

“Eat and drink,” he says to you,

but his heart is not with you.

8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten

and will have wasted your compliments.

Saying 10

9 Do not speak to fools,

for they will scorn your prudent words.a

Saying 11

10 Do not move an ancient boundary stoneb

or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

11 for their Defenderc is strong;d

he will take up their case against you.e