22 Being respected is more important than having great riches.
    To be well thought of is better than owning silver or gold.

² The rich and the poor are alike
    in that the Lord made them all.

³ When a wise person sees danger ahead, he avoids it.
    But a foolish person keeps going and gets into trouble.

⁴ Respecting the Lord and not being proud
    will bring you wealth, honor and life.

⁵ The lives of evil people are like paths covered with thorns and traps.
    People who protect themselves don’t have such problems.

⁶ Train a child how to live the right way.
    Then even when he is old, he will still live that way.

⁷ The rich rule over the poor.
    And borrowers become servants to those who lend.

⁸ A person who does evil things will receive trouble in return.
    Then he won’t be cruel to others any longer.

⁹ A generous person will be blessed
    because he shares his food with the poor.

¹⁰ Get rid of the person who makes fun of wisdom.
    Then fighting, quarrels and insults will stop.

¹¹ A person who loves innocent thoughts and kind words
    will have even the king as a friend.

¹² The Lord protects knowledge from being lost.
    But he destroys false words.

¹³ The lazy person says, “There’s a lion outside!
    I might get killed out in the street!”

¹⁴ The words of an unfaithful wife are like a deep trap.
    Those who make the Lord angry will get caught by them.

¹⁵ Every child is full of foolishness.
    But punishment can get rid of it.

¹⁶ The one who gets rich by being cruel to the poor will become poor.
    And so will the one who gives presents to the wealthy.

²² Do not abuse poor people because they are poor.
    And do not take away the rights of the needy in court.
²³ The Lord will defend them in court.
    And he will take the life of those who take away their rights.

²⁴ Don’t make friends with someone who easily gets angry.
    Don’t spend time with someone who has a bad temper.
²⁵ If you do, you may learn to be like him.
    Then you will be in real danger.

²⁶ Don’t promise to pay what someone else owes.
    And don’t give guarantees that you will pay what he owes.
²⁷ If you cannot pay what he owes,
    your own bed will be taken and sold.

²⁸ Don’t move an old stone that shows where a person’s land is.
    These stones were set up by your ancestors.

²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work?
    That man will work for kings.
He won’t have to work for ordinary people.