| 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. |