Proverbs 22
22
1 A good name is better than many riches. And good esteem is above silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor have met one another. The Lord is the maker of them both.
3 The clever saw evil and hid himself. The innocent continued on and was afflicted with damage.
4 The end of moderation is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
5 Weapons and swords are on the way of the perverse. But he who guards his own soul withdraws far from them.
6 The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor. And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Whoever sows iniquity will reap evils, and by the rod of his own wrath he will be consumed.
9 Whoever is inclined to mercy shall be blessed, for from his bread he has given to the poor. Whoever gives gifts will acquire victory and honor. But he carries away the soul of the receiver.
10 Cast out the one who ridicules, and conflict will go out with him, and accusations and insults will cease.
11 Whoever loves cleanness of heart, because of the grace of his lips, will have the king as his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge. And the words of the iniquitous are supplanted.
13 The lazy one says: "There is a lion outside. I might be slain in the midst of the streets."
14 The mouth of a foreign woman is a deep pit; the Lord was angry with him who will fall into it.
15 Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.
16 Whoever slanders the poor, so as to augment his own riches, will give it away to one who is richer, and will be in need.
17 Incline your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Then apply your heart to my doctrine.
18 It shall be beautiful to you, if you preserve it in your inner self, and it shall overflow from your lips,
19 so that your confidence may be in the Lord. Therefore, I also have revealed it to you this day.
20 Behold, I have written it for you in three ways, and with meditations and knowledge,
21 so that I might reveal to you, firmly and with words of truth, in order to respond about these things to those who sent you.
22 Do not act with violence toward the pauper because he is poor. And do not weary the needy at the gate.
23 For the Lord will judge his case, and he will pierce those who have pierced his soul.
24 Do not be willing to be a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man,
25 lest perhaps you learn his ways, and take up a stumbling block to your soul.
26 Do not be willing to be with those who certify with their hands, and who offer themselves as a guarantee against debts.
27 For if you do not have the means to restore, what reason should there be for him to take the covering from your bed?
28 Do not cross beyond the ancient limits that your fathers have set.
29 Have you seen a man swift in his work? He shall stand in the sight of kings, and not before those who are disreputable.
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Proverbs 22
22
The value of a good reputation
1A good reputation and respect
are worth much more
than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor
are all created
by the LORD.
3When you see trouble coming,
don't be stupid
and walk right into it—
be clever and hide.
4Respect and serve the LORD!
Your reward will be wealth,
a long life, and honour.
5Crooks walk down a road
full of thorny traps.
Stay away from there!
6Teach your children
right from wrong,
and when they are grown
they will still do right.
7The poor are ruled by the rich,
and those who borrow
are slaves of moneylenders.
8Troublemakers get in trouble,
and their terrible anger
will get them nowhere.
9The LORD blesses everyone
who freely gives food
to the poor.
10Arguments and fights
will come to an end,
if you chase away those
who insult others.
11The king is the friend of all
who are sincere
and speak with kindness.
12The LORD watches over everyone
who shows good sense,
but he frustrates the plans
of deceitful liars.
13Don't be so lazy that you say,
“If I go to work,
a lion will eat me!”
14The words of a bad woman
are like a deep pit;
if you make the LORD angry,
you will fall right in.
15All children are foolish,
but firm correction
will make them change.
16Cheat the poor to make profit
or give gifts to the rich—
either way you lose.
Thirty wise sayings
17Here are some sayings
of people with wisdom,
so listen carefully
as I teach.
18You will be glad
that you know these sayings
and can recite them.
19I am teaching them today,
so that you
may trust the LORD.
20I have written thirty sayings
filled with sound advice.
21You can trust them completely
to give you the right words
for those in charge of you.
—1—
22Don't take advantage
of the poor
or cheat them in court.
23The LORD is their defender,
and what you do to them,
he will do to you.
—2—
24Don't make friends with anyone
who has a bad temper.
25You might turn out like them
and get caught in a trap.
—3—
26Don't guarantee to pay
someone else's debt.
27If you don't have the money,
you might lose your bed.
—4—
28Don't move a boundary marker#22.28 marker: In ancient Israel boundary lines were sacred because all property was a gift from the Lord (see Deuteronomy 19.14).
set up by your ancestors.
—5—
29If you do your job well,
you will work for a ruler
and never be a slave.
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© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012