22
If the rich person slips, many come to the rescue; he speaks unseemly words, but they justify him. If the humble person slips, they even criticize him; he talks sense, but is not given a hearing.
23
The rich person speaks and all are silent; they extol to the clouds what he says. The poor person speaks and they say, "Who is this fellow?" And should he stumble, they even push him down.
24
Riches are good if they are free from sin; poverty is evil only in the opinion of the ungodly.
25
The heart changes the countenance, either for good or for evil.
26
The sign of a happy heart is a cheerful face, but to devise proverbs requires painful thinking.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.