Proverbs 22:8-16

Holman Christian Standard Bible

⁸ The one who sows injustice will reap disaster,^(A)
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

⁹ A generous person^[a] will be blessed,^(B)
for he shares his food with the poor.^(C)

¹⁰ Drive out a mocker,^(D) and conflict goes too;
then quarreling and dishonor will cease.^(E)

¹¹ The one who loves a pure heart
and gracious lips—the king is his friend.^(F)

¹² The Lord’s eyes keep watch over knowledge,
but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

¹³ The slacker says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”^(G)

¹⁴ The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit;
a man cursed by the Lord will fall into it.^(H)

¹⁵ Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth;
the rod of discipline will drive it away from him.^(I)

¹⁶ Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself,
and giving to the rich—both lead only to poverty.^(J)