NETtext - Proverbs - 22

22:1  A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold.

22:2  The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the creator of them both.

22:3  A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.

22:4  The reward for humility and fearing the LORD is riches and honor and life.

22:5  Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.

22:6  Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

22:7  The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

22:8  The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble, and the rod of his fury will end.

22:9  A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

22:10  Drive out the scorner and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease.

22:11  The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious - the king will be his friend.

22:12  The eyes of the LORD guard knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless person.

22:13  The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the streets!"

22:14  The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit; the one against whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.

22:15  Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

22:16  The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich - both end up only in poverty.

22:17  Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my instruction.

22:18  For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips.

22:19  So that your confidence may be in the Lord, I am making them known to you today - even you.

22:20  Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,

22:21  to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?

22:22  Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court,

22:23  for the LORD will plead their case and will rob those who are robbing them.

22:24  Do not make friends with an angry person, and do not associate with a wrathful person,

22:25  lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

22:26  Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge or who puts up security for debts.

22:27  If you do not have enough to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you!

22:28  Do not move an ancient boundary stone which was put in place by your ancestors.

22:29  Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will take his position before kings; he will not take his position before obscure people.