Proverbs 22
22
1If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation.
2The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD made them both.
3Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.
4Obey the LORD, be humble, and you will get riches, honour, and a long life.
5If you love your life, stay away from the traps that catch the wicked along the way.
6Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives.
7Poor people are slaves of the rich. Borrow money and you are the lender's slave.
8If you sow the seeds of injustice, disaster will spring up, and your oppression of others will end.
9Be generous and share your food with the poor. You will be blessed for it.
10Get rid of a conceited person, and then there will be no more arguments, quarrelling, or calling of names.
11If you love purity of heart and graciousness of speech, the king will be your friend.
12The LORD sees to it that truth is kept safe by disproving the words of liars.
13Lazy people stay at home; they say a lion might get them if they go outside.
14Adultery is a trap — it catches those with whom the LORD is angry.
15Children just naturally do silly, careless things, but a good spanking will teach them how to behave.
16If you make gifts to rich people or oppress the poor to get rich, you will become poor yourself.
The Thirty Wise Sayings
17Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings, 18and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them. 19I want you to put your trust in the LORD; that is why I am going to tell them to you now. 20I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice, 21and will teach you what the truth really is. Then when you are sent to find it out, you will bring back the right answer.
The First Saying
22Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court. 23The LORD will argue their case for them and threaten the life of anyone who threatens theirs.
The Second Saying
24Don't make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers. 25You might learn their habits and not be able to change.
The Third Saying
26Don't promise to be responsible for someone else's debts. 27If you should be unable to pay, they will take away even your bed.
The Fourth Saying
28Never move an old boundary mark that your ancestors established.
The Fifth Saying
29Show me someone who does a good job, and I will show you someone who is better than most and worthy of the company of kings.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 22: GNBDK
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Good News Bible with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Proverbs 22
22
1A good name is more desirable than great riches,
and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in common:
Yahweh is the maker of them all.
3A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;
but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh
is wealth, honor, and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked;
whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7The rich rule over the poor.
The borrower is servant to the lender.
8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out;
yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully
is the king’s friend.
12Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the streets!”
14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit.
He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it.
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child;
the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich,
both come to poverty.
17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise.
Apply your heart to my teaching.
18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.
19I teach you today, even you,
so that your trust may be in Yahweh.
20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things
of counsel and knowledge,
21To teach you truth, reliable words,
to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor;
and don’t crush the needy in court;
23for Yahweh will plead their case,
and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man.
Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25lest you learn his ways
and ensnare your soul.
26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands,
of those who are collateral for debts.
27If you don’t have means to pay,
why should he take away your bed from under you?
28Don’t move the ancient boundary stone
which your fathers have set up.
29Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve kings.
He won’t serve obscure men.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
PUBLIC DOMAIN (not copyrighted)