Proverbs 22

1A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all.

3A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

4By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.

5Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.

8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

11He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.

12The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

13The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

14The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

15Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

18For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

22Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

26Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts.

27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].