A pooryet wiseladis betterthanan oldand foolishkingwhonolongerknows[how] to receiveinstruction.
Theseare [the records of] the generationsof Jacob.Joseph,when seventeenyearsof age,was pasturingthe flockwith his brotherswhile he was [still] a youth,along with the sonsof Bilhahand the sonsof Zilpah,his father'swives.And Josephbroughtback a badreportabout them to their father.
The kingof Israelsaidto Jehoshaphat,"There is yetonemanby whom we may inquireof the LORD,but I hatehim, becausehe does not prophesygoodconcerningme, but evil.[He is] Micaiahsonof Imlah."But Jehoshaphatsaid,"Let not the kingsayso."
As he was talkingwith him, the king saidto him, "Have we appointedyou a royalcounselor?Stop!Whyshould you be struckdown?"Then the prophetstoppedand said,"I knowthat Godhas plannedto destroyyou, becauseyou have donethisand have not listenedto my counsel."
Betteris a poorman who walksin his integrityThanhe whois perversein speechand is a fool.
Betteris the poorwho walksin his integrityThanhe who is crookedthough he be rich.
And ifonecan overpowerhim whois alone, twocan resisthim. A cordof three[strands] is not quicklytornapart.
Wisdomstrengthensa wisemanmorethantenrulerswhoare in a city.
