Proverbs 22
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1A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold. 1Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
2The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the creator of them both. 2The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.
3A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it. 3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4The reward for humility and fearing the LORD is riches and honor and life. 4True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them. 5Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.
6Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. 6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. 7Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble, and the rod of his fury will end. 8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.
9A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. 9Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.
10Drive out the scorner and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease. 10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.
11The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious--the king will be his friend. 11Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.
12The eyes of the LORD guard knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless person. 12The LORD preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
13The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the streets!" 13The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”
14The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit; the one against whom the LORD is angry will fall into it. 14The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the LORD angry will fall into it.
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. 15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.
16The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich--both end up only in poverty. 16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. Sayings of the Wise
17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction. 17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.
18For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips. 18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.
19So that your confidence may be in the LORD, I am making them known to you today--even you. 19I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the LORD.
20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 20I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.
21to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you? 21In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
22Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court, 22Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.
23for the LORD will plead their case and will rob those who are robbing them. 23For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
24Do not make friends with an angry person, and do not associate with a wrathful person, 24Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,
25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 25or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
26Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge or who puts up security for debts. 26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.
27If you do not have enough to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you! 27If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.
28Do not move an ancient boundary stone which was put in place by your ancestors. 28Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.
29Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position before obscure people. 29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.
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Proverbs 21
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