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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Proverbs 22: AMPC
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1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
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.
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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