Proverbs 22
22
1A good reputation is better than much wealth;
high esteem is better than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in common:
the LORD made them both.
3Prudent people see trouble and hide,
while the simpleminded go right to it and get punished.
4The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD
is wealth, honor, and life.
5Thorns and nets are in the path of the crooked;
those who guard their lives keep their distance.
6Train children in the way they should go;
when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.
7The wealthy rule over the poor;
a borrower is a slave to a lender.
8Those who sow injustice will harvest evil;
the rod of their fury will come to an end.
9Happy are generous people,
because they give some of their food to the poor.
10Remove the mocker and conflict disappears;
judgment and shame also stop.
11Those who love a pure heart—
their speech is gracious, and the king is their friend.
12The LORD’s eyes protect knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the treacherous.
13A lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the street!
I’ll be killed in the town square!”
14The mouth of a mysterious woman is a deep pit;
those under the LORD’s wrath will fall in it.
15Folly is bound up in a child’s heart;
the rod of discipline removes it.
16Oppressing the poor to get rich
and giving to the wealthy lead only to poverty.
Thirty sayings of the wise
17Turn your ear and hear the words of the wise;
focus your mind on my knowledge.
18It will be pleasant if you keep the words in you,
if you have them ready on your lips.
19So that your trust will be in the LORD,
I’m teaching you today—yes, you.
20Haven’t I written for you thirty#22.20 Heb uncertain sayings
full of advice and knowledge?
21Their purpose is to teach you true, reliable words,
so you can report back reliably to those who sent you.
22Don’t steal from the poor, because they are poor.
Don’t oppress the needy in the gate.
23The LORD will take up their case
and press the life out of those who oppress them.#22.23 Heb uncertain
24Don’t befriend people controlled by anger;
don’t associate with hot-tempered people;
25otherwise, you will learn their ways
and become trapped.
26Don’t shake hands to guarantee a loan.
27If you can’t repay,
why should they be able to take your bed from you?
28Don’t remove an ancient boundary marker
that your ancestors established.
29Do you see people who work skillfully?
They will work for kings
but not work for lowly people.
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Proverbs 22: CEB
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