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[1] A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

[2] The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all.

[3] The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, But the naive go on, and are punished for it.

[4] The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life.

[5] Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them.

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

[7] The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave.

[8] He who sows iniquity will reap vanity, And the rod of his fury will perish.

[9] He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.

[10] Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, Even strife and dishonor will cease.

[11] He who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend.

[12] The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the treacherous man.

[13] The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!”

[14] The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the LORD will fall into it.

[15] Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

[16] He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

[17] Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge;

[18] For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be ready on your lips.

[19] So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you.

[20] Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,

[21] To make you know the certainty of the words of truth That you may correctly answer him who sent you?

[22] Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate;

[23] For the LORD will plead their case And take the life of those who rob them.

[24] Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man,

[25] Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself.

[26] Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become guarantors for debts.

[27] If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take your bed from under you?

[28] Do not move the ancient boundary Which your fathers have set.

[29] Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

Proverbs — Chapters