¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches;
       to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

    ² Rich and poor have this in common:
       The LORD is the Maker of them all.

    ³ A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
       but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

    ⁴ Humility and the fear of the LORD
       bring wealth and honor and life.

    ⁵ In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
       but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

    ⁶ Train¹ a child in the way he should go,
       and when he is old he will not turn from it.

    ⁷ The rich rule over the poor,
       and the borrower is servant to the lender.

    ⁸ He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
       and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

    ⁹ A generous man will himself be blessed,
       for he shares his food with the poor.

    ¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
       quarrels and insults are ended.

    ¹¹ He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
       will have the king for his friend.

    ¹² The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
       but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

    ¹³ The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!"
       or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

    ¹⁴ The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
       he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

    ¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
       but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

    ¹⁶ He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
       and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

    ¹⁷ Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
       apply your heart to what I teach,

    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 thirty² sayings for you,
       sayings of counsel and knowledge,

    ²¹ teaching you true and reliable words,
       so that you can give sound answers
       to him who sent you?

    ²² Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
       and do not crush the needy in court,

    ²³ for the LORD will take up their case
       and will plunder those who plunder them.

    ²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
       do not associate with one easily angered,

    ²⁵ or you may learn his ways
       and get yourself ensnared.

    ²⁶ Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge
       or puts up security for debts;

    ²⁷ if you lack the means to pay,
       your very bed will be snatched from under you.

    ²⁸ Do not move an ancient boundary stone
       set up by your forefathers.

    ²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work?
       He will serve before kings;
       he will not serve before obscure men.

Footnotes:

1 verse 6   Or Start

2 verse 20  Or not formerly written ; or not written excellent