Chapter text
World English Bible
Verse-by-verse text with stable anchors, canonical chapter URLs, and copyable verse links.
- 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: The LORD 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 the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
- 5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far 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 LORD’s eyes 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 the LORD’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 I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
- 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 the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
- 24 Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. 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.