1 A good reputation and respect are worth much more
than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor
are all created
by the Lord.
3 When you see trouble coming,
don’t be
stupid
and walk right into it—
be smart and hide.
4 Respect and serve the Lord!
Your reward will be wealth,
a long life, and
honor.
5 Crooks walk down a road
full of thorny traps.
Stay away from
there!
6 Teach your children
right from wrong,
and when they are grown
they will still
do right.
7 The poor are ruled by the rich,
and those who borrow
are slaves of
moneylenders.
8 Troublemakers get in trouble,
and their terrible anger
will get them
nowhere.
9 The Lord blesses everyone
who freely gives food
to the poor.
10 Arguments and fights
will come to an
end,
if you chase away those
who insult others.
11 The king is the friend of all
who are sincere
and speak with
kindness.
12 The Lord watches over everyone
who shows good
sense,
but he frustrates the plans
of deceitful liars.
13 Don’t be so lazy that you say,
“If I go to work,
a lion will eat
me!”
14 The words of a bad woman
are like a deep
pit;
if you make the Lord angry,
you will fall
right in.
15 All children are foolish,
but firm correction
will make them
change.
16 Cheat the poor to make profit
or give gifts to the rich—
either way you
lose.
17 Here are some sayings
of people with
wisdom,
so listen carefully
as I teach.
18 You will be glad
that you know these sayings
and can recite
them.
19 I am teaching them today,
so that you
may trust the
Lord.
20 I have written thirty sayings
filled with sound
advice.
21 You can trust them completely
to give you the right words
for those in charge
of you.
22 Don’t take advantage
of the poor
or cheat them
in court.
23 The Lord is their defender,
and what you do to them,
he will do to
you.
24 Don’t make friends with anyone
who has a bad
temper.
25 You might turn out like them
and get caught
in a trap.
26 Don’t guarantee to pay
someone else’s
debt.
27 If you don’t have the money,
you might lose
your bed.
28 Don’t move a boundary marker
set up by your
ancestors.
29 If you do your job well,
you will work for a ruler
and never be a
slave.