30 People do not despise a thief if he steals
    to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.
31 Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold,(A)
    though it costs him all the wealth of his house.

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30 A thief isn’t despised
    if he steals to meet his needs[a] when he is hungry,
31 but when he is discovered,
    he must restore seven-fold,
        forfeiting the entire value of his house.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 6:30 Lit. to refresh his soul

Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poor(A) because they are poor
    and do not crush the needy in court,(B)

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22 Don’t rob the poor person because he is poor,
    and don’t crush the helpless in court,[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:22 Lit. gate

24 Whoever robs their father or mother(A)
    and says, “It’s not wrong,”
    is partner to one who destroys.(B)

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24 Whoever steals from his father or mother
    but claims, “It’s no sin,”
        is a companion to someone who demolishes.

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24 The accomplices of thieves are their own enemies;
    they are put under oath and dare not testify.(A)

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24 A thief’s accomplice hates himself;
    though testifying under oath,[a] he reveals nothing.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:24 Lit. though he hears the oath

“Two things I ask of you, Lord;
    do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
    but give me only my daily bread.(A)
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown(B) you
    and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’(C)
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonor the name of my God.(D)

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On Contentment in Life

God,[a] I have asked you for two things—
    don’t refuse me before I die—
Keep deception and lies far away from me,
    and give me neither poverty nor wealth.
Feed me with food that I need for today,[b]
so that I don’t become overfed and deny you by saying,
        “Who is the Lord?”
or so that I don’t become poor and steal,
    and then misuse the name of my God.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 30:7 The Heb. lacks God
  2. Proverbs 30:8 Or that is appropriate for me