Proverbs 22
22
1A good name is more desirable than great wealth.
Respect is better than silver or gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in common:
the Lord is the maker of them all.
3Sensible people foresee trouble and hide ⌞from it⌟,
but gullible people go ahead and suffer ⌞the consequence⌟.
4On the heels of humility (the fear of the Lord)
are riches and honor and life.
5A devious person has thorns and traps ahead of him.
Whoever guards himself will stay far away from them.
6Train a child in the way he should go,
and even when he is old he will not turn away from it.
7A rich person rules poor people,
and a borrower is a slave to a lender.
8Whoever plants injustice will harvest trouble,
and this weapon of his own fury will be destroyed.
9Whoever is generous will be blessed
because he has shared his food with the poor.
10Drive out a mocker, and conflict will leave.
Quarreling and abuse will stop.
11Whoever loves a pure heart and whoever speaks graciously
has a king as his friend.
12The Lord’s eyes watch over knowledge,
but he overturns the words of a treacherous person.
13A lazy person says,
“There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be murdered in the streets!”
14The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit.
The one who is cursed by the Lord will fall into it.
15Foolishness is firmly attached to a child’s heart.
Spanking will remove it far from him.
16Oppressing the poor for profit
⌞or⌟ giving to the rich
certainly leads to poverty.
Listen to My Advice
17Open your ears, and hear the words of wise people,
and set your mind on the knowledge I give you.
18It is pleasant if you keep them in mind
⌞so that⌟ they will be on the tip of your tongue,
19so that your trust may be in the Lord.
Today I have made them known to you, especially to you.
20Didn’t I write to you previously with advice and knowledge
21in order to teach you the words of truth
so that you can give an accurate report to those who send you?
Living with Your Neighbor
22Do not rob the poor because they are poor
or trample on the rights of an oppressed person at the city gate,
23because the Lord will plead their case
and will take the lives of those who rob them.
24Do not be a friend of one who has a bad temper,
and never keep company with a hothead,
25or you will learn his ways
and set a trap for yourself.
26Do not be ⌞found⌟ among those who make deals with a handshake,
among those who guarantee other people’s loans.
27If you have no money to pay back a loan,
why should your bed be repossessed?
28Do not move an ancient boundary marker
that your ancestors set in place.
29Do you see a person who is efficient in his work?
He will serve kings.
He will not serve unknown people.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 22: GW
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 22
22
1Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
2The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both.
3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.
6Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.
7Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.#22:8 The Greek version includes an additional proverb: God blesses a man who gives cheerfully, / but his worthless deeds will come to an end. Compare 2 Cor 9:7.
9Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.
10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.
11Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.
12The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
13The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”
14The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.
15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.
16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
Sayings of the Wise
17Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.
18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.
19I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the Lord.
20I have written thirty sayings#22:20 Or excellent sayings; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. for you,
filled with advice and knowledge.
21In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
22Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
or exploit the needy in court.
23For the Lord is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
24Don’t befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,
25or you will learn to be like them
and endanger your soul.
26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for someone else.
27If you can’t pay it,
even your bed will be snatched from under you.
28Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
set up by previous generations.
29Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
For more information about the NLT: