Yahweh Is the Maker of All

1A good name is to be chosen over great wealth,

Favor is better than silver and gold.

2The rich and the poor meet together in this—

Yahweh is the Maker of them all.

3A prudent man sees evil and hides,

But the simple pass on, and are punished.

4The reward of humility—the [†]fear of Yahweh—

Is riches, glory, and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;

He who keeps his soul will be far from them.

6[†]Train up a child [†]according to his way,

Even when he is old he will not [†]depart from it.

7The rich rules over the poor,

And the borrower is the slave of the lender.

8He who sows unrighteousness will reap iniquity,

And the rod of his fury will end.

9He who [†]is generous will be blessed,

For he gives from his food to the poor.

10Drive out the scoffer, and strife will go out,

Even contention and disgrace will cease.

11He who loves purity of heart

And grace on his lips, the king is his friend.

12The eyes of Yahweh guard knowledge,

But He subverts the words of the treacherous one.

13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside;

I will be killed in the streets!”

14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit;

He who is cursed of Yahweh will fall [†]into it.

15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child;

The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

16He who oppresses the poor to make [†]more for himself

Or who gives to the rich will only come to lack.

17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,

And set your heart on my knowledge;

18For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,

[†]That they may be established on your lips.

19So that your trust may be in Yahweh,

I have made you know today, even you.

20Have I not written to you [†]excellent things

Of counsels and knowledge,

21To make you know the veracity of the words of truth

That you may [†]respond with the words of truth to him who sent you?

22Do not rob the poor because he is poor,

And do not crush the afflicted at the gate;

23For Yahweh will plead their case

And rob the soul of those who rob them.

24Do not befriend a man of anger;

And do not come along with a man of great wrath,

25Lest you learn his ways

And take on a snare against your soul.

26Do not be among those who strike [†]hands in pledge,

Among those who become guarantors for debts.

27If you have nothing with which to pay,

Why should he take your bed from under you?

28Do not move the ancient boundary

Which your fathers made.

29Do you see a man skilled in his work?

He will stand before kings;

He will not stand before obscure men.