Proverbs 22
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1A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.1A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
2Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.2The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the Maker of them all.
3The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.3The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
4Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.4The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
5In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.5Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
6Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.6Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.7The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
8Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.8Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.
9The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.9Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.10Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.
11One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.11He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor.
13The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!"13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”
14The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the LORD's wrath falls into it.14The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty.16Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
17Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,17Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,
18for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.18for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.19That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to you.
20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,20Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?21to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,22Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate,
23for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.23for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.
24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,24Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,
25or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
26Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;26Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.
27if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.27If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
28Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.28Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.
29Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.29Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
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Proverbs 21
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