Proverbs22

¹ Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

² The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.

³ A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

⁴ True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

⁵ Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.

⁶ Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

⁷ Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

⁸ Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.

⁹ Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

¹⁰ Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.

¹¹ Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.

¹² The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

¹³ The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”

¹⁴ The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.

¹⁵ A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.

¹⁶ A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

¹⁷ Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

¹⁸ For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.

¹⁹ I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the Lord.

²⁰ I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.

²¹ In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

²² Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.

²³ For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

²⁴ Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,

²⁵ or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

²⁶ Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.

²⁷ If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.

²⁸ Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.

²⁹ Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.