Proverbs

¹It is better to be respected than to be rich. A good name is worth more than silver or gold. ²The rich and the poor are the same. The Lord made them all. ³Wise people see trouble coming and get out of its way, but fools go straight to it and suffer for it. ⁴Respect the Lord and be humble. Then you will have wealth, honor, and true life. ⁵Evil people are trapped by many troubles, but those who want to live avoid them. ⁶Teach children in a way that fits their needs, and even when they are old, they will not leave the right path. ⁷The rich rule over the poor. The one who borrows is a slave to the one who lends. ⁸Those who spread trouble will harvest trouble. In the end, they will be destroyed for the trouble they caused. ⁹Generous people will be blessed, because they share their food with the poor. ¹⁰Get rid of the proud who laugh at what is right, and trouble will leave with them. All arguments and insults will end. ¹¹Love a pure heart and kind words, and the king will be your friend. ¹²The Lord watches over true knowledge, and he opposes those who try to deceive others. ¹³A person who is lazy and wants to stay home says, “There is a lion outside, and I might be killed in the streets!” ¹⁴The sin of adultery is a trap, and the Lord gets very angry with those who fall into it. ¹⁵Children do foolish things, but if you punish them, they will learn not to do them. ¹⁶These two things will make you poor: hurting the poor to make yourself rich and giving gifts to the rich.

Thirty Wise Sayings

¹⁷Listen carefully to these words from the wise. Pay attention to what I have learned. ¹⁸It will be good for you to remember these words and have them ready when they are needed. ¹⁹I will teach you these things now. I want you to trust the Lord. ²⁰I have written 30 sayings for you. These are words of advice and wisdom. ²¹They will teach you things that you can know for sure to be true. Then you can give good answers to the one who sent you.

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²²It is easy to steal from the poor, but don’t do it. And don’t take advantage of them in court. ²³The Lord is on their side. He supports the poor, and he will take from those who take from them.

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²⁴Don’t be friends with people who become angry easily. Don’t stay around quick-tempered people. ²⁵If you do, you may learn to be like them. Then you will have the same problems they do.

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²⁶Don’t promise to pay someone else’s debt. ²⁷If you cannot pay, you will lose everything you have. So why should you lose the bed you sleep on?

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²⁸Never move an old property line that was marked long ago by your ancestors.

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²⁹Skilled workers will always serve kings. They will never have to work for less important people.