Proverbios 22

¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. ² The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all. ³ A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it. ⁴ The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life. ⁵ Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them. ⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. ⁷ The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. ⁸ He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. ⁹ He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor. ¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop. ¹¹ He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king's friend. ¹² The eyes of Yahweh watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 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 under Yahweh's wrath will fall into it. ¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him. ¹⁶ Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty. ¹⁷ Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching. ¹⁸ For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. ¹⁹ That your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach you today, even you. ²⁰ Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge, ²¹ To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you? ²² Don't exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don't crush the needy in court; ²³ for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them. ²⁴ Don't befriend a hot-tempered man, and don't associate with one who harbors anger: ²⁵ lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul. ²⁶ Don't you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts. ²⁷ If you don't have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you? ²⁸ Don't move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up. ²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men.