The value of a good name
1
A name is chosen rather than much wealth, || Than silver and than gold—good grace.
2
Rich and poor have met together, || YHWH [is] the Maker of them all.
3
The prudent has seen the evil, and is hidden, || And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
4
The end of humility [is] the fear of YHWH, riches, and honor, and life.
5
Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the perverse, || Whoever is keeping his soul is far from them.
6
Give instruction to a youth about his way, || Even when he is old he does not turn from it.
7
The rich rules over the poor, || And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
8
Whoever is sowing perverseness reaps sorrow, || And the rod of his anger wears out.
9
The good of eye—he is blessed, || For he has given of his bread to the poor.
10
Cast out a scorner—and contention goes out, || And strife and shame cease.
11
Whoever is loving cleanness of heart, || His lips [are] grace, || A king [is] his friend.
12
The eyes of YHWH have kept knowledge, || And He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13
The slothful has said, “A lion [is] outside, || I am slain in the midst of the broad places.”
14
The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit, || The abhorred of YHWH falls there.
15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, || The rod of discipline puts it far from him.
16
He [who] is oppressing the poor to multiply his [riches], || Is giving to the rich—only to want.
Hear the words of the wise
17
Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise, || And set your heart to my knowledge,
18
For they are pleasant when you keep them in your heart, || They are prepared together for your lips.
19
That your trust may be in YHWH, || I caused you to know today, even you.
20
Have I not written to you three times || With counsels and knowledge?
21
To cause you to know the certainty of sayings of truth, || To return sayings of truth to those sending you.
22
Do not rob the poor because he [is] poor, || And do not bruise the afflicted in the gate.
23
For YHWH pleads their cause, || And has spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
24
Do not show yourself friendly with an angry man, || And do not go in with a man of fury,
25
Lest you learn his paths, || And have received a snare to your soul.
26
Do not be among those striking hands, || Among sureties [for] burdens.
27
If you have nothing to pay, || Why does he take your bed from under you?
28
Do not remove a border of ancient times, || That your fathers have made.
29
Have you seen a man speedy in his business? He stations himself before kings, || He does not station himself before obscure men!
Copyright © 2020 Covenant Press and the CCC - licensed under CC BY-SA