1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches , and loving favour rather than silver and gold . 2The rich and poor meet together : the LORD is the maker of them all. 3A prudent man foreseeth the evil , and hideth himself: but the simple pass on , and are punished . 4By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches , and honour , and life . 5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward : he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. 6Train up a child in the way he should go : and when he is old , he will not depart from it.
The Consequences of Actions
7The rich ruleth over the poor , and the borrower is servant to the lender . 8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity : and the rod of his anger shall fail . 9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed ; for he giveth of his bread to the poor . 10Cast out the scorner , and contention shall go out ; yea, strife and reproach shall cease . 11He that loveth pureness of heart , for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend . 12The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge , and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor . 13The slothful man saith , There is a lion without , I shall be slain in the streets . 14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit : he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein. 15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child ; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich , shall surely come to want .
The Importance of Discipline and Instruction
17Bow down thine ear , and hear the words of the wise , and apply thine heart unto my knowledge . 18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips . 19That thy trust may be in the LORD , I have made known to thee this day , even to thee. 20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge , 21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth ; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
Warnings Against Greed and Oppression
22Rob not the poor , because he is poor : neither oppress the afflicted in the gate : 23For the LORD will plead their cause , and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. 24Make no friendship with an angry man ; and with a furious man thou shalt not go : 25Lest thou learn his ways , and get a snare to thy soul . 26Be not thou one of them that strike hands , or of them that are sureties for debts . 27If thou hast nothing to pay , why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 28Remove not the ancient landmark , which thy fathers have set . 29Seest thou a man diligent in his business ? he shall stand before kings ; he shall not stand before mean men .