1
Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
2
The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both.
3
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4
True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5
Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.
6
Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.
7
Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8
Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end. 1
9
Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.
10
Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.
11
Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.
12
The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
13
The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”
14
The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.
15
A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.
16
A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.