8. Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
9. The generous will themselves be blessed,for they share their food with the poor.
10. Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;quarrels and insults are ended.
11. One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with gracewill have the king for a friend.
12. The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13. The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside!I’ll be killed in the public square!’
14. The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.
15. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
16. One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealthand one who gives gifts to the rich – both come to poverty.Saying 1
17. Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;apply your heart to what I teach,
18. for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heartand have all of them ready on your lips.
19. So that your trust may be in the Lord,I teach you today, even you.
20. Have I not written thirty sayings for you,sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21. teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,so that you bring back truthful reportsto those you serve?Saying 2
22. Do not exploit the poor because they are poorand do not crush the needy in court,
23. for the Lord will take up their caseand will exact life for life.Saying 3
24. Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,do not associate with one easily angered,
25. or you may learn their waysand get yourself ensnared.Saying 4
26. Do not be one who shakes hands in pledgeor puts up security for debts;