Proverbs 22
22
On Life and Conduct
1A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches;
And favor is better than silver and gold.
2The rich and poor have a common bond;
The Lord is the Maker of them all. [Job 31:15; Prov 14:31]
3A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil [of sin] and hides himself [from it],
But the naive continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].
4The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord
Is riches, honor, and life. [Prov 21:21]
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate [for their lack of honor and their wrong-doing traps them];
He who guards himself [with godly wisdom] will be far from them and avoid the consequences they suffer.
6Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],
Even when he is old he will not depart from it. [Eph 6:4; 2 Tim 3:15]
7The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He who sows injustice will reap [a harvest of] trouble,
And the rod of his wrath [with which he oppresses others] will fail.
9He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor. [2 Cor 9:6-10]
10Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go away;
Even strife and dishonor will cease.
11He who loves purity of heart
And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.
12The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and the one who has it,
But He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13The lazy one [manufactures excuses and] says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the streets [if I go out to work]!”
14The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit [deep and inescapable];
He who is cursed by the Lord [because of his adulterous sin] will fall into it.
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.
16He who oppresses or exploits the poor to get more for himself
Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.
17¶Listen carefully and hear the #22:17 These verses (17-21) introduce a special collection of wisdom sayings compiled by Solomon.words of the wise,
And apply your mind to my knowledge;
18For it will be pleasant if you keep them in mind [incorporating them as guiding principles];
Let them be ready on your lips [to guide and strengthen yourself and others].
19So that your trust and reliance and confidence may be in the Lord,
I have taught these things to you today, even to you.
20Have I not written to you excellent things
In counsels and knowledge,
21To let you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you? [Luke 1:3, 4]
22¶Do not rob the poor because he is poor [and defenseless],
Nor crush the afflicted [by legal proceedings] at the gate [where the city court is held], [Ex 23:6; Job 31:16, 21]
23For the Lord will plead their case
And take the life of those who rob them. [Zech 7:10; Mal 3:5]
24¶Do not even associate with a man given to angry outbursts;
Or go [along] with a hot-tempered man,
25Or you will learn his [undisciplined] ways
And get yourself trapped [in a situation from which it is hard to escape].
26¶Do not be among those who give pledges [involving themselves in others’ finances],
Or among those who become guarantors for others’ debts.
27If you have nothing with which to pay [another’s debt when he defaults],
Why should his creditor take your bed from under you?
28¶Do not move the ancient landmark [at the boundary of the property]
Which your fathers have set.
29¶Do you see a man skillful and experienced in his work?
He will stand [in honor] before kings;
He will not stand before obscure men.
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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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