Proverbs 22:7-16

The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don’t borrow and put yourself under their power. Whoever sows sin reaps weeds, and bullying anger sputters into nothing. Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor. Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down; you need a break from bickering and griping! GOD loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship. GOD guards knowledge with a passion, but he’ll have nothing to do with deception. The loafer says, “There’s a lion on the loose! If I go out I’ll be eaten alive!” The mouth of a prostitute is a bottomless pit; you’ll fall in that pit if you’re on the outs with GOD. Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded discipline. Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever, you’ll end up the poorer for it.