Words of the Wise
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart to my teaching.
18
For [it is] pleasant if you guard them {within you}; together they will be ready upon your lips.
19
[In order] for your trust to be in Yahweh, I have made [them] known to you {today}--even you.
20
Have I not written for you thirty [sayings] with admonitions and knowledge?
21
[In order] to show you what is right--sayings of truth-- [in order] to return a true saying to him who sent you.
22
Do not rob the poor because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate;
23
For Yahweh will plead their case and despoil those who despoil them of life.
24
Do not befriend an owner of {anger}, and with a man of wrath you shall not associate;
25
lest you learn his way and become entangled in a snare to yourself.
26
Do not be with those who {give a pledge} {by becoming} surety.
27
If there is nothing for you to pay, why will he take your bed from under you?
28
Do not remove an ancient boundary marker which your ancestors made.
29
A man who is skillful in his work, you shall see: before kings, he will serve; he will not serve before the commoners.