‏ Proverbs 22

1A good name is preferable to abundant riches, and good grace, to silver and to gold. 2The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker them all. 3The prudent foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. 4The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor, and life. 5Thorns and snares are on the way of a perverse man: he that doth guard his soul will keep far from them. 6Train up the lad in accordance with his course: even when he groweth old, will he not depart from it. 7A rich man ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the man that lendeth. 8He that soweth injustice will reap wrong-doing; and the rod of God’s wrath will not fail. 9A man of a benevolent eye will indeed be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. 10Drive away the scorner, and strife will go off; and then will cease contention and dishonor. 11He that loveth with a pure heart, and hath grace on his lips, will have the king as his friend. 12The eyes of the Lord guard knowledge, and he overturneth the words of the treacherous. 13The slothful saith, There is a lion without, in the midst of the streets shall I be murdered. 14A deep pit is the mouth of adulterous women: he that hath obtained the indignation of the Lord will fall thereinto. 15When folly is bound fast to the heart of a lad, the rod of correction must remove it far from him. 16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, must at length give to the rich, and come only to want. 17Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge. 18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thy bosom, if they be altogether firmly seated upon thy lips. 19That thy trust may be in the Lord, have I made them known to thee this day, yea, even to thee. 20Have not I written for thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21That I might make thee know rectitude, the sayings of truth; that thou mightest bring back answers of truth to those that send thee? 22Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither crush the afflicted in the gate; 23For the Lord will plead their cause, and despoil the life of those that despoil them. 24Make no friendship with a man given to anger; and with a man of fury thou must have no intercourse: 25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare for thy own soul. 26Be not one of those that pledge their hand, or of those that are sureties for debts. 27If thou have nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? 28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have established. 29Seest thou a man that is diligent in his work? before kings may he place himself: let him not place himself before obscure men.
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