1 A good name is to be chosen instead of many riches. Favor is better than silver and gold.

2 T he rich and the poor meet together. The Lord is the maker of them all.

3 A wise man sees sin and hides himself, but the foolish go on, and are punished for it.

4 T he reward for not having pride and having the fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life.

5 T horns and traps are in the way of the sinful. He who watches himself will stay far from them.

6 B ring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.

7 T he rich rules over the poor. The man who uses something that belongs to someone else is ruled by the one who let him use it.

8 H e who plants sin will gather trouble, and the heavy stick of his anger will break.

9 H e who gives much will be honored, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

10 S end away the man who laughs at the truth, and arguing, fighting and shame will stop.

11 H e who loves a pure heart and is kind in his speaking has the king as his friend.

12 T he eyes of the Lord keep watch over much learning, but He destroys the words of the man who is not faithful.

13 T he lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”

14 T he mouth of a sinful woman is a deep hole. He with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

15 A foolish way is held in the heart of a child, but the punishing stick will send it far from him.

16 H e who makes it hard for the poor by getting more for himself, or who gives to the rich, will become poor himself.

17 T urn your ear and hear the words of the wise, and open your mind to what they teach.

18 F or it will be pleasing if you keep them in your heart, so they may be ready on your lips.

19 I have taught you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the Lord.

20 H ave I not written to you great things of wise teaching and much learning

21 t o show you that the words of truth are sure, so you may give a true answer to him who sent you?

22 D o not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush those who suffer at the gate.

23 F or the Lord will stand by them and help them, and take the life of those who rob them.

24 D o not have anything to do with a man given to anger, or go with a man who has a bad temper.

25 O r you might learn his ways and get yourself into a trap.

26 D o not be among those who make promises and put themselves up as trust for what others owe.

27 I f you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?

28 D o not take away the old land-mark which your fathers have set.

29 D o you see a man who is good at his work? He will stand in front of kings. He will not stand in front of men who are not important.