Proverbs 22:15 says, Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.  We can have a debate about the effectiveness of physical discipline, but I believe that sometimes it is necessary to alter a child's behavior.  I do not mean beating or abusing, but simply spanking.  Children will sometimes push boundaries just to see how far they can push them.  Verse sixteen states, He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.  This is another warning against using the poor for our own gain, and also against giving to the rich to gain their favor.  Helping the poor may not benefit us in this world, but it will in God's kingdom.  Verse seventeen says, Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.  This is a call for us to listen to God's word, which those who are wise will be teaching.  Verse eighteen adds, For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.  When we keep the words of the wise, those who profess God, it will be a pleasure to us and we will speak words of wisdom.  Verse nineteen continues, That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.   When we listen to those who proclaim God's word and trust in Him, God will continue to make His will known to us.  God does not abandon us when we are saved, but is with us continually through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty asks, Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,  Continuing in verse twenty-one, 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?  We have God's written word to guide us, and it should be a certainty when we are confronted with any situation.  There is never a need to doubt God's word, but instead if we are to live in wisdom, we must hold firm in it no matter what.  Verse twenty-two declares, Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:  This is another warning against cheating the poor and needy.  We should take this warning seriously since it occurs so often in the Bible.  Verse twenty-three adds, For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.  God pleads the case of the poor, and will punish those who abuse them.  As followers of Christ, if we are guilty of abusing the poor, which we should never be, I am not sure what our punishment by God will be, but I am certain that we will be held accountable for it.  Verse twenty-four states, Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:  Some people just seem to be continually angry, and we are not to be their friend and adopt their attitude.  Verse twenty-five tells us why stating, Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.  Listening to someone who is always angry may teach us to be the same way, which can be a snare to our soul, or everlasting relationship with God.  Verse twenty-six says, Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.  This is just another warning about becoming snarled in someone else's debt.  Verse twenty-seven asks, If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?  I believe this is a warning against taking everything, even the essentials, from someone who has no money to pay a debt.  We are to leave them with the essentials in life, which I believe will leave them with at least some hope and dignity.  Verse twenty-eight declares, Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.  We are not to change landmarks to benefit ourselves.  Verse twenty-nine states, Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.  If we live obeying the law, we do not have to fear those in power, but we still have to be concerned about those who do not follow God and His word.