Proverbs 22:6-16

The Message

⁶ Point your kids in the right direction—
    when they’re old they won’t be lost.

⁷ The poor are always ruled over by the rich,
    so don’t borrow and put yourself under their power.

⁸ Whoever sows sin reaps weeds,
    and bullying anger sputters into nothing.

⁹ Generous hands are blessed hands
    because they give bread to the poor.

¹⁰ Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down;
    you need a break from bickering and griping!

¹¹ God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken;
    good leaders also delight in their friendship.

¹² God guards knowledge with a passion,
    but he’ll have nothing to do with deception.

¹³ The loafer says, “There’s a lion on the loose!
    If I go out I’ll be eaten alive!”

¹⁴ The mouth of a prostitute is a bottomless pit;
    you’ll fall in that pit if you’re on the outs with God.

¹⁵ Young people are prone to foolishness and fads;
    the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.

¹⁶ Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever,
    you’ll end up the poorer for it.