Proverbs 22
22
1Being respected is more important than having great riches.
To be well thought of is better than owning silver or gold.
2The rich and the poor are alike
in that the Lord made them all.
3When a wise person sees danger ahead, he avoids it.
But a foolish person keeps going and gets into trouble.
4Respecting the Lord and not being proud
will bring you wealth, honor and life.
5The lives of evil people are like paths covered with thorns and traps.
People who protect themselves don’t have such problems.
6Train a child how to live the right way.
Then even when he is old, he will still live that way.
7The rich rule over the poor.
And borrowers become servants to those who lend.
8A person who does evil things will receive trouble in return.
Then he won’t be cruel to others any longer.
9A generous person will be blessed
because he shares his food with the poor.
10Get rid of the person who makes fun of wisdom.
Then fighting, quarrels and insults will stop.
11A person who loves innocent thoughts and kind words
will have even the king as a friend.
12The Lord protects knowledge from being lost.
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.
16The one who gets rich by being cruel to the poor will become poor.
And so will the one who gives presents to the wealthy.
Other Wise Sayings
17Pay attention and listen to what wise people say.
Remember what I am teaching you.
18It will be good to keep these things in mind.
Be prepared to repeat them.
19I am teaching them to you now
so that you will put your trust in the Lord.
20I have written down 30 sayings for you.
They give knowledge and good advice.
21I am teaching you true and reliable words.
Then 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 he will take the life of those who take away their rights.
24Don’t make friends with someone who easily gets angry.
Don’t spend time with someone who has a bad temper.
25If you do, you may learn to be like him.
Then you will be in real danger.
26Don’t promise to pay what someone else owes.
And don’t give guarantees that you will pay what he owes.
27If you cannot pay what he owes,
your own bed will be taken and sold.
28Don’t move an old stone that shows where a person’s land is.
These stones were set up by your ancestors.
29Do you see a man skilled in his work?
That man will work for kings.
He won’t have to work for ordinary people.
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Proverbs 22: ICB
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Copyright © 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Proverbs 22
22
1A good name is more desirable than great wealth.
Respect is better than silver or gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in common:
the Lord is the maker of them all.
3Sensible people foresee trouble and hide ⌞from it⌟,
but gullible people go ahead and suffer ⌞the consequence⌟.
4On the heels of humility (the fear of the Lord)
are riches and honor and life.
5A devious person has thorns and traps ahead of him.
Whoever guards himself will stay far away from them.
6Train a child in the way he should go,
and even when he is old he will not turn away from it.
7A rich person rules poor people,
and a borrower is a slave to a lender.
8Whoever plants injustice will harvest trouble,
and this weapon of his own fury will be destroyed.
9Whoever is generous will be blessed
because he has shared his food with the poor.
10Drive out a mocker, and conflict will leave.
Quarreling and abuse will stop.
11Whoever loves a pure heart and whoever speaks graciously
has a king as his friend.
12The Lord’s eyes watch over knowledge,
but he overturns the words of a treacherous person.
13A lazy person says,
“There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be murdered in the streets!”
14The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit.
The one who is cursed by the Lord will fall into it.
15Foolishness is firmly attached to a child’s heart.
Spanking will remove it far from him.
16Oppressing the poor for profit
⌞or⌟ giving to the rich
certainly leads to poverty.
Listen to My Advice
17Open your ears, and hear the words of wise people,
and set your mind on the knowledge I give you.
18It is pleasant if you keep them in mind
⌞so that⌟ they will be on the tip of your tongue,
19so that your trust may be in the Lord.
Today I have made them known to you, especially to you.
20Didn’t I write to you previously with advice and knowledge
21in order to teach you the words of truth
so that you can give an accurate report to those who send you?
Living with Your Neighbor
22Do not rob the poor because they are poor
or trample on the rights of an oppressed person at the city gate,
23because the Lord will plead their case
and will take the lives of those who rob them.
24Do not be a friend of one who has a bad temper,
and never keep company with a hothead,
25or you will learn his ways
and set a trap for yourself.
26Do not be ⌞found⌟ among those who make deals with a handshake,
among those who guarantee other people’s loans.
27If you have no money to pay back a loan,
why should your bed be repossessed?
28Do not move an ancient boundary marker
that your ancestors set in place.
29Do you see a person who is efficient in his work?
He will serve kings.
He will not serve unknown people.
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