1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good-
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
3 A person's own folly leads to their ruin,
yet their heart rages against the Lord.
4 Wealth attracts many friends,
but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
5 A false witness will not go unpunished,
and whoever pours out lies will not go free.
6 Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives-
how much more do their friends avoid them!
Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.