Proverbs

¹⁶A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident. ¹⁷He who foams up quickly and flies into a passion deals foolishly, and a man of wicked plots and plans is hated. ¹⁸The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. ¹⁹The evil men bow before the good, and the wicked [stand suppliantly] at the gates of the [uncompromisingly] righteous. ²⁰The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends. ²¹He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellowman, and himself], but happy (blessed and fortunate) is he who is kind and merciful to the poor. ²²Do they not err who devise evil and wander from the way of life? But loving-kindness and mercy, loyalty and faithfulness, shall be to those who devise good.