Proverbs 22:1-29 NASB95

[1] A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. [2] The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all. [3] The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it. [4] The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life. [5] Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them. [6] Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. [7] The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave. [8] He who sows iniquity will reap vanity, And the rod of his fury will perish. [9] He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor. [10] Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease. [11] He who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend. [12] The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the treacherous man. [13] The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!" [14] The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the LORD will fall into it. [15] Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. [16] He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. [17] Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge; [18] For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be ready on your lips. [19] So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you. [20] Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, [21] To make you know the certainty of the words of truth That you may correctly answer him who sent you? [22] Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate; [23] For the LORD will plead their case And take the life of those who rob them. [24] Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, [25] Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself. [26] Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become guarantors for debts. [27] If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take your bed from under you? [28] Do not move the ancient boundary Which your fathers have set. [29] Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.