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. 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!

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