Proverbs 22:1-18 ▼

1 A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.

3 An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.

4 The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.

5 Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.

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7 The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.

8 He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works.

9 He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory an honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses them .

10 Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.

11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.

12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises wise words.

13 The sluggard makes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.

14 The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.

15 Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are then far from him.

16 He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.

17 Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,

18 that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.