The Church's Bible

A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

²The rich and the poor have this in common: Jehovah is the maker of them all.

³A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

⁴The result of humility and the fear of Jehovah is wealth, honor, and life.

⁵Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.

⁶Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

⁷The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

⁸He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

⁹He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

¹⁰Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

¹¹He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

¹²Jehovah’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

¹³The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”

¹⁴The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under Jehovah’s wrath will fall into it.

¹⁵Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

¹⁶Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

¹⁷Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.

¹⁸For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

¹⁹I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in Jehovah.

²⁰Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,

²¹To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

²²Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;

²³for Jehovah will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

²⁴Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,

²⁵lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.

²⁶Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.

²⁷If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

²⁸Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.

²⁹Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.