| Chapter 22 |
1 |
A good name is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and gold.
|
2 |
The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.
|
3 |
The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.
|
4 |
The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
|
5 |
Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul departeth far from them.
|
6 |
It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
|
7 |
The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.
|
8 |
He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.
|
9 |
He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.
|
10 |
Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.
|
11 |
He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.
|
12 |
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.
|
13 |
The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets.
|
14 |
The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.
|
15 |
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.
|
16 |
He that oppresseth the poor, to in- crease his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.
|
17 |
Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine :
|
18 |
Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:
|
19 |
That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.
|
20 |
Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge :
|
21 |
That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.
|
22 |
Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:
|
23 |
Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.
|
24 |
Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:
|
25 |
Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.
|
26 |
Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:
|
27 |
For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?
|
28 |
Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.
|
29 |
Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.
|