Friday, September 26

A ruler[a] who oppresses the poor

    is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

4 

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked,

    but those who heed it resist them.

5 

Evildoers do not understand what is right,

    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

6 

Better the poor whose walk is blameless

    than the rich whose ways are perverse.

7 

A discerning son heeds instruction,

    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

8 

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor

    amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

9 

If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,

    even their prayers are detestable.

10 

Whoever leads the upright along an evil path

    will fall into their own trap,

    but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.