Proverbs 22
22
1It is better to be respected than to be rich. A good name is worth more than silver or gold.
2The rich and the poor are the same. The Lord made them all.
3Wise people see trouble coming and get out of its way, but fools go straight to it and suffer for it.
4Respect the Lord and be humble. Then you will have wealth, honor, and true life.
5Evil people are trapped by many troubles, but those who want to live avoid them.
6Teach children in a way that fits their needs, and even when they are old, they will not leave the right path.
7The rich rule over the poor. The one who borrows is a slave to the one who lends.
8Those who spread trouble will harvest trouble. In the end, they will be destroyed for the trouble they caused.
9Generous people will be blessed, because they share their food with the poor.
10Get rid of the proud who laugh at what is right, and trouble will leave with them. All arguments and insults will end.
11Love a pure heart and kind words, and the king will be your friend.
12The Lord watches over true knowledge, and he opposes those who try to deceive others.
13A person who is lazy and wants to stay home says, “There is a lion outside, and I might be killed in the streets!”
14The sin of adultery is a trap, and the Lord gets very angry with those who fall into it.
15Children do foolish things, but if you punish them, they will learn not to do them.
16These two things will make you poor: hurting the poor to make yourself rich and giving gifts to the rich.
Thirty Wise Sayings
17Listen carefully to these words from the wise. Pay attention to what I have learned. 18It will be good for you to remember these words and have them ready when they are needed. 19I will teach you these things now. I want you to trust the Lord. 20I have written 30 sayings for you.#22:20 I have … for you Or “I wrote this for you earlier.” These are words of advice and wisdom. 21They will teach you things that you can know for sure to be true. Then you can give good answers to the one who sent you.
— 1 —
22It is easy to steal from the poor, but don’t do it. And don’t take advantage of them in court. 23The Lord is on their side. He supports the poor, and he will take from those who take from them.
— 2 —
24Don’t be friends with people who become angry easily. Don’t stay around quick-tempered people. 25If you do, you may learn to be like them. Then you will have the same problems they do.
— 3 —
26Don’t promise to pay someone else’s debt. 27If you cannot pay, you will lose everything you have. So why should you lose the bed you sleep on?
— 4 —
28Never move an old property line that was marked long ago by your ancestors.
— 5 —
29Skilled workers will always serve kings. They will never have to work for less important people.
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
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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