Wisdom for Rich and Poor
A good name outweighs riches, while the rich rule the poor and the borrower is the lender's slave. Midway the voice changes to a teacher handing over thirty sayings: do not rob the poor because he is poor, and do not befriend a hot-tempered man.
22 1A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. 2The rich and the poor meet together; our Father is the Maker of them all. 3The prudent sees danger and takes cover, but the simple keep going and pay the price. 4The reward for humility and the fear of our Father is riches and honor and life. 5Thorns and snares lie in the path of the crooked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them. 6Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it. 7The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. 8Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. 9Whoever has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. 10Drive out the scoffer, and strife goes with him; quarreling and abuse will cease. 11Whoever loves a pure heart and speaks graciously will have the king as his friend. 12The eyes of our Father keep watch over knowledge, but he overturns the words of the traitor. 13The lazy person says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!" 14The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit; whoever draws our Father's anger will fall into it. 15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far away. 16Whoever oppresses the poor to enrich himself, or gives to the rich, will come only to poverty.
Listen Well
17Listen carefully to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, 18for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. 19So that your trust may be in our Father, I have made them known to you today, even to you. 20Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21to teach you what is right and true, so that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
22Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, a a v22 The city gate was where legal disputes and public dealings took place in ancient towns. 23for our Father will plead their cause and will rob of life those who rob them.
24Do not befriend a man given to anger, and do not go with a hot-tempered man, 25or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
26Do not be one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. 27If you have nothing to pay with, why should your bed be taken from under you?
28Do not move the ancient boundary stone that your fathers set up.
29Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before ordinary men.
