A reading from the book of Proverbs.

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord. Wealth brings many new friends,

but a poor man is deserted by his friend. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who

breathes out lies will not escape. Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend

to a man who gives gifts. All a poor man's brothers hate him. How much more do his friends

go far from him? He pursues them with words but does not have them. Whoever gets sense

loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding will discover good. A false witness will not go unpunished

and he who breathes out lies will perish. It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury,

much less for a slave to rule over princes. Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory

to overlook an offense. A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the

grass. A foolish son is ruined to his father, and a wife's quarreling

is a continual dripping of rain. House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife

is from the Lord. Slothfulness cast into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life, he who despises his ways will

die. Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Discipline your son, for there is hope. Do not set your heart on putting him to death.

A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the

plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. What is desired in a man

is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.

...