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.