Proverbs 22:17-29

English Standard Version

Words of the Wise

¹⁷^(A)Incline your ear, and hear ^(B)the words of the wise,
    ^(C)and apply your heart to my knowledge,
¹⁸for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.
¹⁹That your trust may be in the Lord,
    I have made them known to you today, even to you.
²⁰Have I not written for you ^(D)thirty sayings
    of counsel and knowledge,
²¹to ^(E)make you know what is right and true,
    that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

²²^(F)Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
    or ^(G)crush the afflicted at ^(H)the gate,
²³for ^(I)the Lord will plead their cause
    and rob of life those who rob them.
²⁴Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
    nor go with a wrathful man,
²⁵lest you learn his ways
    and entangle yourself in a snare.
²⁶Be not one of those who ^(J)give pledges,
    who put up security for debts.
²⁷If you have nothing with which to pay,
    why should ^(K)your bed be taken from under you?
²⁸Do not move the ancient ^(L)landmark
    that your fathers have set.
²⁹Do you see a man skillful in his work?
    He will ^(M)stand before kings;
    he will not stand before obscure men.