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The Proverbs

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 22 -

The value of a good name

1
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.(a)
2
The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.(b)
5
Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.(c) (d)
7
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.(e)
8
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.(f)
9
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.(g)
10
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.(h)
12
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.(i)
13
The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.
15
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Hear the words of the wise

17
Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.(j)
19
That thy trust may be in the Lord , I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.(k)
20
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21
That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?(l)
22
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23
For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27
If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.(m)
29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.(n)

Footnotes

(a)22:1 loving…: or, favour is better than, etc
(b)22:4 By…: or, The reward of humility, etc
(c)22:6 Train…: or, Catechise
(d)22:6 in…: Heb. in his way
(e)22:7 the lender: Heb. the man that lendeth
(f)22:8 the rod…: or, with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed
(g)22:9 He that…: Heb. Good of eye
(h)22:11 for…: or, and hath grace in his lips
(i)22:12 the words: or, the matters
(j)22:18 within…: Heb. in thy belly
(k)22:19 even…: or, trust thou also
(l)22:21 to them…: or, to those that send thee?
(m)22:28 landmark: or, bound
(n)22:29 mean…: Heb. obscure men

The value of a good name

1
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2
The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.
3
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4
The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
5
Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12
The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
14
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

Hear the words of the wise

17
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23
for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27
If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
29
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
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