Proverbs 22
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1Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.1A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.2Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.
3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.3The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
4True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.4Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.
5Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.5In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.6Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
7Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.8Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
9Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.9The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.10Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.
11Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.11One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
12The LORD preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”13The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the public square!"
14The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the LORD angry will fall into it.14The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the LORD's wrath falls into it.
15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.
16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. Sayings of the Wise16One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty.
17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.17Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.18for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.
19I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the LORD.19So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.
20I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.21teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?
22Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,
23For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.23for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.
24Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,
25or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.25or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.26Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
27If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.27if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.
28Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.28Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.
29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.29Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.New International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 21
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