Proverbs

A Good Name

1A good name is more desirable than great riches;favor is better than silver and gold.

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

3The prudent see danger and take cover,but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

4The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORDare wealth and honor and life.

5Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse;he who guards his soul stays far from them.

6Train up a child in the way he should go,and when he is old he will not depart from it.

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

8He who sows injustice will reap disaster,and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

9A generous manwill be blessed,for he shares his bread with the poor.

10Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart;even quarreling and insults will cease.

11He who loves a pure heart and gracious lipswill have the king for a friend.

12The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge,but He frustrates the words of the faithless.

13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside!I will be slain in the streets!”

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

15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child,but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the richwill surely lead to poverty.

Saying 1

17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—

18for it is pleasing when you keep them within youand they are constantly on your lips.

19So that your trust may be in the LORD,I instruct you today—yes, you.

20Have I not written for you thirty sayingsabout counsel and knowledge,

21to show you true and reliable words,that you may soundly answer those who sent you?

Saying 2

22Do not rob a poor man because he is poor,and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,

23for the LORD will take up their caseand will plunder those who rob them.

Saying 3

24Do not make friends with an angry man,and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,

25or you may learn his waysand entangle yourself in a snare.

Saying 4

26Do not be one who gives pledges,who puts up security for debts.

27If you have nothing with which to pay,why should your bed be taken from under you?

Saying 5

28Do not move an ancient boundary stonewhich your fathers have placed.

Saying 6

29Do you see a man skilled in his work?He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

1A good name is more desirable than great riches,and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

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

3A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

4The result of humility and the fear of the LORDis wealth, honor, and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked;whoever guards his soul stays far from them.

6Train up a child in the way he should go,and when he is old he will not depart from it.

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

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

9He who has a generous eye will be blessed,for he shares his food with the poor.

10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out;yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefullyis the king’s friend.

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

13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!I will be killed in the streets!”

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

15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child;the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich,both come to poverty.

17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise.Apply your heart to my teaching.

18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you,if all of them are ready on your lips.

19I teach you today, even you,so that your trust may be in the LORD.

20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent thingsof counsel and knowledge,

21To teach you truth, reliable words,to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

22Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor;and don’t crush the needy in court;

23for the LORD will plead their case,and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man.Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,

25lest you learn his waysand ensnare your soul.

26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands,of those who are collateral for debts.

27If you don’t have means to pay,why should he take away your bed from under you?

28Don’t move the ancient boundary stonewhich your fathers have set up.

29Do you see a man skilled in his work?He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.