Proverbs 22

¹ Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

² The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.

³ A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

⁴ True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

⁵ Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.

⁶ Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

⁷ Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

⁸ Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.

⁹ Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

¹⁰ Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.

¹¹ Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.

¹² The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

¹³ The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”

¹⁴ The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.

¹⁵ A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.

¹⁶ A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

¹⁷ Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

¹⁸ For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.

¹⁹ I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the Lord.

²⁰ I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.

²¹ In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

²² Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.

²³ For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

²⁴ Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,

²⁵ or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

²⁶ Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.

²⁷ If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.

²⁸ Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.

²⁹ Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.

Proverbs 23

¹ While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you.

² If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat; ³ don’t desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you.

⁴ Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit.

⁵ In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

⁶ Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies.

⁷ They are always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.

⁸ You will throw up what little you’ve eaten, and your compliments will be wasted.

⁹ Don’t waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.

¹⁰ Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don’t take the land of defenseless orphans.

¹¹ For their Redeemer is strong; he himself will bring their charges against you.

¹² Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.

¹³ Don’t fail to discipline your children. The rod of punishment won’t kill them.

¹⁴ Physical discipline may well save them from death.

¹⁵ My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice!

¹⁶ Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.

¹⁷ Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord.

¹⁸ You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.

¹⁹ My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course.

²⁰ Do not carouse with drunkards or feast with gluttons, ²¹ for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags.

²² Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

²³ Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

²⁴ The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.

²⁵ So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.

²⁶ O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.

²⁷ A prostitute is a dangerous trap; a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.

²⁸ She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful.

²⁹ Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

³⁰ It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks.

³¹ Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.

³² For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper.

³³ You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things.

³⁴ You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast.

³⁵ And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?”