Bible in Basic English
The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
— Proverbs 22:13-1964, Bible in Basic English
“The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. ”
Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.