Proverbs 22
22
1Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
2The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both.
3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.
6Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.
7Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.#22:8 The Greek version includes an additional proverb: God blesses a man who gives cheerfully, / but his worthless deeds will come to an end. Compare 2 Cor 9:7.
9Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.
10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.
11Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.
12The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
13The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”
14The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.
15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.
16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
Sayings of the Wise
17Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.
18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.
19I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the Lord.
20I have written thirty sayings#22:20 Or excellent sayings; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. for you,
filled with advice and knowledge.
21In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
22Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
or exploit the needy in court.
23For the Lord is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
24Don’t befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,
25or you will learn to be like them
and endanger your soul.
26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for someone else.
27If you can’t pay it,
even your bed will be snatched from under you.
28Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
set up by previous generations.
29Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.
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Proverbs 22: NLT
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Proverbs 22
22
1A good name is more desirable than great riches,
and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in common:
Yahweh is the maker of them all.
3A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;
but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh
is wealth, honor, and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked;
whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7The rich rule over the poor.
The borrower is servant to the lender.
8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out;
yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully
is the king’s friend.
12Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the streets!”
14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit.
He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it.
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child;
the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich,
both come to poverty.
17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise.
Apply your heart to my teaching.
18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.
19I teach you today, even you,
so that your trust may be in Yahweh.
20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things
of counsel and knowledge,
21To teach you truth, reliable words,
to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor;
and don’t crush the needy in court;
23for Yahweh will plead their case,
and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man.
Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25lest you learn his ways
and ensnare your soul.
26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands,
of those who are collateral for debts.
27If you don’t have means to pay,
why should he take away your bed from under you?
28Don’t move the ancient boundary stone
which your fathers have set up.
29Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve kings.
He won’t serve obscure men.
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