1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. 3 A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering]. 4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail. 9 He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. 10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease. 11 He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech--because of the grace of his lips will he have the king for his friend. 12 The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous. 13 The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets! 14 The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it. 15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. 16 He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich--both will surely come to want.