Proverbs 22

International Standard Version

² The rich and the poor have this in common—
    the Lord created both of them.

³ The prudent person sees trouble ahead and hides,
    but the naïve continue on and suffer the consequences.

⁴ The reward of humility is the fear of the Lord,
    along with wealth, honor, and life.

⁵ Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse person,
    but whoever is cautious stays far away from them.

⁶ Train a child in the way appropriate for him,
    and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it.

⁷ The wealthy rule over the poor,
    and anyone who borrows is a slave to the lender.

⁸ Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble,
    and the anger he uses for a weapon^[a] will be destroyed.

⁹ Whoever is generous^[b] will be blessed,
    for he shares his food with the poor.

¹⁰ Throw out the mocker and strife departs, too;^[c]
    furthermore, quarrels^[d] and discord will end.

¹¹ Whoever loves purity^[e] and gracious speech
    will gain the king as his friend.

¹² The Lord watches over anyone with knowledge,
    but he ruins the plans^[f] of the unfaithful.

¹³ The lazy person says, “There is a lion outside!
    I will be killed in the street!”

¹⁴ The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;
    a man experiencing the Lord’s wrath will fall into it.

¹⁵ A child’s heart has a tendency to do wrong,
    but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.

¹⁶ Whoever oppresses the poor to enrich himself
    and whoever gives gifts to the wealthy
        will yield only loss.

²² Don’t rob the poor person because he is poor,
    and don’t crush the helpless in court,^[g]
23 for the Lord will plead their case
    and ruin the lives of those who ruin them.

²⁴ Don’t make friends with a hot-tempered man,
    and do not associate with someone who is easily angered,
²⁵ or you may learn his ways
    and find yourself caught in a trap.

²⁶ Don’t be one of those who make promises
    to guarantee loans for debts.
²⁷ If you don’t have the ability to pay,
    why should your very bed be taken from under you?

²⁸ Don’t remove an ancient boundary stone
    that was set up by your ancestors.

²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work?
    He will work for kings, not unimportant people.