Proverbs 22

1. ¹A good name is more desirable than great riches, And loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2. ²The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.
3. ³A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4. ⁴The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh Is wealth, honor, and life.
5. ⁵Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: Whoever guards his soul stays from them.
6. ⁶Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
7. ⁷The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8. ⁸He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, And the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9. ⁹He who has a generous eye will be blessed; For he shares his food with the poor.
10. ¹⁰Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; Yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11. ¹¹He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully Is the king's friend.
12. ¹²The eyes of Yahweh watch over knowledge; But he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13. ¹³The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!"
14. ¹⁴The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit: He who is under Yahweh's wrath will fall into it.
15. ¹⁵Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: The rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16. ¹⁶Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, Both come to poverty.
17. ¹⁷Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18. ¹⁸For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, If all of them are ready on your lips.
19. ¹⁹That your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach you today, even you.
20. ²⁰Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things Of counsel and knowledge,
21. ²¹To teach you truth, reliable words, To give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22. ²²Don't exploit the poor, because he is poor; And don't crush the needy in court;
23. ²³For Yahweh will plead their case, And plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24. ²⁴Don't befriend a hot-tempered man, And don't associate with one who harbors anger:
25. ²⁵Lest you learn his ways, And ensnare your soul.
26. ²⁶Don't you be one of those who strike hands, Of those who are collateral for debts.
27. ²⁷If you don't have means to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?
28. ²⁸Don't move the ancient boundary stone, Which your fathers have set up.
29. ²⁹Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings; He won't serve obscure men.

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