Proverbs 22:8-22

English Standard Version

⁸ Whoever ^(A)sows injustice will reap calamity,
    and ^(B)the rod of his fury will fail.
^9 (C)Whoever has a bountiful^[a] eye will be blessed,
    for he ^(D)shares his bread with the poor.
^10 (E)Drive out a scoffer, ^(F)and strife will go out,
    and ^(G)quarreling and abuse will cease.
¹¹ He who ^(H)loves purity of heart,
    and whose ^(I)speech is gracious, ^(J)will have the king as his friend.
¹² The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he ^(K)overthrows the words of the traitor.
^13 (L)The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
    I shall be killed in the streets!”
¹⁴ The mouth of ^(M)forbidden^[b] women is ^(N)a deep pit;
    ^(O)he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.
¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but ^(P)the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
¹⁶ Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
    or gives to the rich, ^(Q)will only come to poverty.

^17 (R)Incline your ear, and hear ^(S)the words of the wise,
    ^(T)and apply your heart to my knowledge,
¹⁸ for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.
¹⁹ That your trust may be in the Lord,
    I have made them known to you today, even to you.
²⁰ Have I not written for you ^(U)thirty sayings
    of counsel and knowledge,
²¹ to ^(V)make you know what is right and true,
    that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?