Proverbs 22:11-19

English Standard Version

¹¹ He who ^(A)loves purity of heart,
    and whose ^(B)speech is gracious, ^(C)will have the king as his friend.
¹² The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he ^(D)overthrows the words of the traitor.
^13 (E)The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
    I shall be killed in the streets!”
¹⁴ The mouth of ^(F)forbidden^[a] women is ^(G)a deep pit;
    ^(H)he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.
¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but ^(I)the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
¹⁶ Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
    or gives to the rich, ^(J)will only come to poverty.

^17 (K)Incline your ear, and hear ^(L)the words of the wise,
    ^(M)and apply your heart to my knowledge,
¹⁸ for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.
¹⁹ That your trust may be in the Lord,
    I have made them known to you today, even to you.