The (A)rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.
One who (B)sows injustice will reap disaster,
And the (C)rod of his fury will perish.
One who [a]is (D)generous will be blessed,
Because he (E)gives some of his food to the poor.
10 (F)Drive out the scoffer, and strife will leave,
Even quarreling and dishonor will cease.
11 One who loves (G)purity of heart
And [b]whose speech is (H)gracious, the king is his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord protect knowledge,
But He overthrows the words of the treacherous person.
13 The [c](I)lazy one says, “There is a lion outside;
I will be killed in the streets!”
14 The mouth of [d](J)an adulteress is a deep pit;
He who is (K)cursed of the Lord will fall [e]into it.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The (L)rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
16 One (M)who oppresses the poor to make [f]more for himself,
Or gives to the rich, (N)will only come to poverty.

17 (O)Extend your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your mind to my knowledge;

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:9 Lit has a good eye
  2. Proverbs 22:11 Lit has grace on his lips
  3. Proverbs 22:13 Lit idle
  4. Proverbs 22:14 Lit strange woman
  5. Proverbs 22:14 Lit there
  6. Proverbs 22:16 Lit much

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