Proverbs 22:17-27

New International Version

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

¹⁷Pay attention^(A) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;^(B)
    apply your heart to what I teach,^(C)
¹⁸for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
¹⁹So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
²⁰Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
²¹teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,^(D)
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

Saying 2

²²Do not exploit the poor^(E) because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,^(F)
²³for the Lord will take up their case^(G)
and will exact life for life.^(H)

Saying 3

²⁴Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
do not associate with one easily angered,
²⁵or you may learn their ways
and get yourself ensnared.^(I)

Saying 4

²⁶Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge^(J)
or puts up security for debts;
²⁷if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.^(K)