Proverbs 22
1 A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
4 The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
5 Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
6 Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
7 The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
8 Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
9 If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
11 Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
13 Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
14 The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
15 Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
16 If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
17 Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
18 for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
19 I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
20 Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
21 They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
22 For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
23 for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
24 Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
25 in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
26 Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
27 for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
28 Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
29 If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
