16. Oppressing the poor for enrichment,giving to the rich: both are sheer loss.
17. The Words of the Wise:Incline your ear, and hear my words,and let your mind attend to my teaching;
18. For it will be well if you hold them within you,if they all are ready on your lips.
19. That your trust may be in the Lord,I make them known to you today—yes, to you.
20. Have I not written for you thirty sayings,containing counsels and knowledge,
21. To teach you trulyhow to give a dependable report to one who sends you?
22. Do not rob the poor because they are poor,nor crush the needy at the gate;
23. For the Lord will defend their cause,and will plunder those who plunder them.
24. Do not be friendly with hotheads,nor associate with the wrathful,
25. Lest you learn their ways,and become ensnared.
26. Do not be one of those who give their hand in pledge,those who become surety for debts;