Proverbs 22
New Life Version
22 A good name is to be chosen instead of many riches. Favor is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor meet together. The Lord is the maker of them all. 3 A wise man sees sin and hides himself, but the foolish go on, and are punished for it.
4 The reward for not having pride and having the fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life.
5 Thorns and traps are in the way of the sinful. He who watches himself will stay far from them.
6 Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.
7 The rich rules over the poor. The man who uses something that belongs to someone else is ruled by the one who let him use it.
8 He who plants sin will gather trouble, and the heavy stick of his anger will break.
9 He who gives much will be honored, for he gives some of his food to the poor.
10 Send away the man who laughs at the truth, and arguing, fighting and shame will stop.
11 He who loves a pure heart and is kind in his speaking has the king as his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over much learning, but He destroys the words of the man who is not faithful.
13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
14 The mouth of a sinful woman is a deep hole. He with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.
15 A foolish way is held in the heart of a child, but the punishing stick will send it far from him.
16 He who makes it hard for the poor by getting more for himself, or who gives to the rich, will become poor himself.
17 Turn your ear and hear the words of the wise, and open your mind to what they teach. 18 For it will be pleasing if you keep them in your heart, so they may be ready on your lips. 19 I have taught you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the Lord. 20 Have I not written to you great things of wise teaching and much learning 21 to show you that the words of truth are sure, so you may give a true answer to him who sent you?
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush those who suffer at the gate. 23 For the Lord will stand by them and help them, and take the life of those who rob them.
24 Do not have anything to do with a man given to anger, or go with a man who has a bad temper. 25 Or you might learn his ways and get yourself into a trap.
26 Do not be among those who make promises and put themselves up as trust for what others owe. 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?
28 Do not take away the old land-mark which your fathers have set.
29 Do you see a man who is good at his work? He will stand in front of kings. He will not stand in front of men who are not important.
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.