New Living Translation

1 Choose a good reputation over great riches;<br>being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.<br> 2 The rich and poor have this in common:<br>The LORD made them both.<br> 3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.<br>The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.<br> 4 True humility and fear of the LORD<br>lead to riches, honor, and long life.<br> 5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;<br>whoever values life will avoid it.<br> 6 Direct your children onto the right path,<br>and when they are older, they will not leave it.<br> 7 Just as the rich rule the poor,<br>so the borrower is servant to the lender.<br> 8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,<br>and their reign of terror will come to an end.<br> 9 Blessed are those who are generous,<br>because they feed the poor.<br> 10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.<br>Quarrels and insults will disappear.<br> 11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech<br>will have the king as a friend.<br> 12 The LORD preserves those with knowledge,<br>but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.<br> 13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!<br>If I go outside, I might be killed!”<br> 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;<br>those who make the LORD angry will fall into it.<br> 15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,<br>but physical discipline will drive it far away.<br> 16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor<br>or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.<br> 17 Listen to the words of the wise;<br>apply your heart to my instruction.<br> 18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart<br>and always ready on your lips.<br> 19 I am teaching you today — yes, you —<br>so you will trust in the LORD.<br> 20 I have written thirty sayings for you,<br>filled with advice and knowledge.<br> 21 In this way, you may know the truth<br>and take an accurate report to those who sent you.<br> 22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can,<br>or exploit the needy in court.<br> 23 For the LORD is their defender.<br>He will ruin anyone who ruins them.<br> 24 Don’t befriend angry people<br>or associate with hot-tempered people,<br> 25 or you will learn to be like them<br>and endanger your soul.<br> 26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt<br>or put up security for someone else.<br> 27 If you can’t pay it,<br>even your bed will be snatched from under you.<br> 28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers<br>set up by previous generations.<br> 29 Do you see any truly competent workers?<br>They will serve kings<br>rather than working for ordinary people.<br>