VerseAI

NIV

Proverbs 22

  1. 1<pb/><t>A good name is more desirable than great riches;</t> <t>to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. <pb/></t>
  2. 2<t>Rich and poor have this in common:</t> <t>The LORD is the Maker of them all. <pb/></t>
  3. 3<t>The prudent see danger and take refuge,</t> <t>but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. <pb/></t>
  4. 4<t>Humility is the fear of the LORD;</t> <t>its wages are riches and honor and life. <pb/></t>
  5. 5<t>In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,</t> <t>but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. <pb/></t>
  6. 6<t>Start children off on the way they should go,</t> <t>and even when they are old they will not turn from it. <pb/></t>
  7. 7<t>The rich rule over the poor,</t> <t>and the borrower is slave to the lender. <pb/></t>
  8. 8<t>Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,</t> <t>and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. <pb/></t>
  9. 9<t>The generous will themselves be blessed,</t> <t>for they share their food with the poor. <pb/></t>
  10. 10<t>Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;</t> <t>quarrels and insults are ended. <pb/></t>
  11. 11<t>One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace</t> <t>will have the king for a friend. <pb/></t>
  12. 12<t>The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,</t> <t>but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. <pb/></t>
  13. 13<t>The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!</t> <t>I’ll be killed in the public square!” <pb/></t>
  14. 14<t>The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;</t> <t>a man who is under the LORD’s wrath falls into it. <pb/></t>
  15. 15<t>Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,</t> <t>but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. <pb/></t>
  16. 16<t>One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth</t> <t>and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.</t>
  17. 17<t>Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;</t> <t>apply your heart to what I teach,</t>
  18. 18<t>for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart</t> <t>and have all of them ready on your lips.</t>
  19. 19<t>So that your trust may be in the LORD,</t> <t>I teach you today, even you.</t>
  20. 20<t>Have I not written thirty sayings for you,</t> <t>sayings of counsel and knowledge,</t>
  21. 21<t>teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,</t> <t>so that you bring back truthful reports</t> <t>to those you serve?</t>
  22. 22<t>Do not exploit the poor because they are poor</t> <t>and do not crush the needy in court,</t>
  23. 23<t>for the LORD will take up their case</t> <t>and will exact life for life.</t>
  24. 24<t>Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,</t> <t>do not associate with one easily angered,</t>
  25. 25<t>or you may learn their ways</t> <t>and get yourself ensnared.</t>
  26. 26<t>Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge</t> <t>or puts up security for debts;</t>
  27. 27<t>if you lack the means to pay,</t> <t>your very bed will be snatched from under you.</t>
  28. 28<t>Do not move an ancient boundary stone</t> <t>set up by your ancestors.</t>
  29. 29<t>Do you see someone skilled in their work?</t> <t>They will serve before kings;</t> <t>they will not serve before officials of low rank.</t>