Proverbs 22
22
1Being respected is more important than having great riches.
To be well thought of is better than silver or gold.
2The rich and the poor are alike
in that the Lord made them all.
3The wise see danger ahead and avoid it,
but fools keep going and get into trouble.
4Respecting the Lord and not being proud
will bring you wealth, honor, and life.
5Evil people’s lives are like paths covered with thorns and traps.
People who guard themselves don’t have such problems.
6Train children to live the right way,
and when they are old, they will not stray from it.
7The rich rule over the poor,
and borrowers are servants to lenders.
8Those who plan evil will receive trouble.
Their cruel anger will come to an end.
9Generous people will be blessed,
because they share their food with the poor.
10Get rid of the one who makes fun of wisdom.
Then fighting, quarrels, and insults will stop.
11Whoever loves pure thoughts and kind words
will have even the king as a friend.
12The Lord guards knowledge,
but he destroys false words.
13The lazy person says, “There’s a lion outside!
I might get killed out in the street!”
14The words of an unfaithful wife are like a deep trap.
Those who make the Lord angry will get caught by them.
15Every child is full of foolishness,
but punishment can get rid of it.
16Whoever gets rich by mistreating the poor,
and gives presents to the wealthy, will become poor.
Other Wise Sayings
17Listen carefully to what wise people say;
pay attention to what I am teaching you.
18It will be good to keep these things in mind
so that you are ready to repeat them.
19I am teaching them to you now
so that you will put your trust in the Lord.
20I have written thirty sayings for you,
which give knowledge and good advice.
21I am teaching you true and reliable words
so that you can give true answers to anyone who asks.
22Do not abuse poor people because they are poor,
and do not take away the rights of the needy in court.
23The Lord will defend them in court
and will take the life of those who take away their rights.
24Don’t make friends with quick-tempered people
or spend time with those who have bad tempers.
25If you do, you will be like them.
Then you will be in real danger.
26Don’t promise to pay what someone else owes,
and don’t guarantee anyone’s loan.
27If you cannot pay the loan,
your own bed may be taken right out from under you.
28Don’t move an old stone that marks a border,
because those stones were set up by your ancestors.
29Do you see people skilled in their work?
They will work for kings, not for ordinary people.
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 22
22
1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. [Job 31:15; Prov. 14:31.]
3 A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering].
4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. [Eph. 6:4; II Tim. 3:15.]
7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail.
9 He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. [II Cor. 9:6-10.]
10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease.
11 He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech–because of the grace of his lips will he have the king for his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13 The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!
14 The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
16 He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich–both will surely come to want.
17 Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;
18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.
19 So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you.
20 Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? [Luke 1:3, 4.]
22 Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held], [Exod. 23:6; Job 31:16, 21.]
23 For the Lord will plead their cause and deprive of life those who deprive [the poor or afflicted]. [Zech. 7:10; Mal. 3:5.]
24 Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate,
25 Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare.
26 Be not one of those who strike hands and pledge themselves, or of those who become security for another's debts.
27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set up.
29 Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
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