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The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.

A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.

The deceitful walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will stay away.

Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.

Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

Those who plant seeds of injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will end.

Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

Throw out the mocker, and fighting, quarrels, and insults will disappear.

Anyone who loves a pure heart and gracious speech is the king’s friend.

The LORD preserves knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the deceitful.

The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, “If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!”

The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; those living under the LORD’s displeasure will fall into it.

A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away.

A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings deep within yourself, always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the LORD. I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. In this way, you may know the truth and bring an accurate report to those who sent you.

Do not rob the poor because they are poor or exploit the needy in court. For the LORD is their defender. He will injure anyone who injures them.

Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

Do not co-sign another person’s note or put up a guarantee for someone else’s loan. If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.

Do not steal your neighbor’s property by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by your ancestors.

People may think they are doing what is right, but the LORD examines the heart.

The LORD is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give him sacrifices.

Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Wealth created by lying is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

Because the wicked refuse to do what is just, their violence boomerangs and destroys them.

The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.

It is better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a contentious wife in a lovely home.

Evil people love to harm others; their neighbors get no mercy from them.

A simpleton can learn only by seeing mockers punished; a wise person learns from instruction.

The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring the wicked to disaster.

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

A secret gift calms anger; a secret bribe pacifies fury.

Justice is a joy to the godly, but it causes dismay among evildoers.

The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.

Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches.

Sometimes the wicked are punished to save the godly, and the treacherous for the upright.

It is better to live alone in the desert than with a crabby, complaining wife.

The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

Whoever pursues godliness and unfailing love will find life, godliness, and honor.

The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble.

Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

The desires of lazy people will be their ruin, for their hands refuse to work. They are always greedy for more, while the godly love to give!

God loathes the sacrifice of an evil person, especially when it is brought with ulterior motives.

A false witness will be cut off, but an attentive witness will be allowed to speak.

The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright proceed with care.

Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the LORD.

The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest.

Though good advice lies deep within a person’s heart, the wise will draw it out.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful?

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them.

When a king judges, he carefully weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?

The LORD despises double standards of every kind.

Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure and right.

Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the LORD.

If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!

Wise speech is rarer and more valuable than gold and rubies.

Be sure to get collateral from anyone who guarantees the debt of a stranger. Get a deposit if someone guarantees the debt of a foreigner.

Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.

Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.

A gossip tells secrets, so don’t hang around with someone who talks too much.

If you curse your father or mother, the lamp of your life will be snuffed out.

An inheritance obtained early in life is not a blessing in the end.

Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.

The LORD despises double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

How can we understand the road we travel? It is the LORD who directs our steps.

It is dangerous to make a rash promise to God before counting the cost.

A wise king finds the wicked, lays them out like wheat, then runs the crushing wheel over them.

The LORD’s searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.

Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.

The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.