Moff PROV Chapter 22

22 

Reputation is a better choice than riches

esteem is more than money.

2 

Rich and poor stand side by side:

it was the Eternal who made them all.

3 

A cautious man sees danger and takes cover:

a simpleton strolls on--and pays for it.

5 

On crooked courses men step into snares:

a careful man avoids them.

4 

The humble and the reverent are rewarded

with wealth and honour and long life.

6 

Train a child for his proper trade,

and he will never leave it, even when he is old.

7 

The rich rule over the poor,

and the borrower is a slave to the lender.

8 

A man who sows evil has a harvest of trouble

his labour goes for nothing.

9 

A generous man will have God’s blessing,

because he shares his food with poor folk.

10 

Get rid of a scoffer, and quarrels cease,

disputes and insults are no more.

11 

The Eternal loves a pure heart

kings love courtly speech.

12 

The Eternal is keen-eyed, alert

he foils the plans of faithless men.

13 

The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside,”

or, “I shall be murdered in the street.”

14 

The wiles of a loose woman are a deep, deep pit

a man under God’s anger falls into it.

15 

Folly clings to the mind of a child;

the rod will drive it away.

16 

A man may crush the poor and so be rich,

but presents to the rich will only make him poor.

17 

Bend your ear, listen to wise words,

study to understand their charm;

18 

ever keep them in mind,

all ready on your lips.

19 

I am still teaching you my truths,

that you may rely on the Eternal.

20 

But have I not written them for you already,

instructions about knowledge,

21 

that you might understand them for yourself,

and answer all inquirers?

22 

Rob not the poor because he is poor,

waste not the weak with lawsuits;

23 

for the Eternal will take their part,

he will rob robbers of their life.

24 

Never join anyone who gets angry,

never deal with a hot-tempered man;

25 

for you may learn his ways

and land yourself in danger.

26 

Never be one of those who give bail,

who are sureties for debts;

27 

for if you have nothing to pay,

your very bed will be seized.

28 

Remove not an ancient landmark,

set up by your fathers.

29 

You see a man skilful at his work?

He shall enter the service of kings,

not the service of obscure men.