Beginning
22 Being respected is more important than having great riches.
To be well thought of is better than owning silver or gold.
2 The rich and the poor are alike
in that the Lord made them all.
3 When a wise person sees danger ahead, he avoids it.
But a foolish person keeps going and gets into trouble.
4 Respecting the Lord and not being proud
will bring you wealth, honor and life.
5 The lives of evil people are like paths covered with thorns and traps.
People who protect themselves don’t have such problems.
6 Train a child how to live the right way.
Then even when he is old, he will still live that way.
7 The rich rule over the poor.
And borrowers become servants to those who lend.
8 A person who does evil things will receive trouble in return.
Then he won’t be cruel to others any longer.
9 A generous person will be blessed
because he shares his food with the poor.
10 Get rid of the person who makes fun of wisdom.
Then fighting, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 A person who loves innocent thoughts and kind words
will have even the king as a friend.
12 The Lord protects knowledge from being lost.
But he destroys false words.
13 The lazy person says, “There’s a lion outside!
I might get killed out in the street!”
14 The words of an unfaithful wife are like a deep trap.
Those who make the Lord angry will get caught by them.
15 Every child is full of foolishness.
But punishment can get rid of it.
16 The one who gets rich by being cruel to the poor will become poor.
And so will the one who gives presents to the wealthy.
Other Wise Sayings
17 Pay attention and listen to what wise people say.
Remember what I am teaching you.
18 It will be good to keep these things in mind.
Be prepared to repeat them.
19 I am teaching them to you now
so that you will put your trust in the Lord.
20 I have written down 30 sayings for you.
They give knowledge and good advice.
21 I am teaching you true and reliable words.
Then you can give true answers to anyone who asks.
22 Do not abuse poor people because they are poor.
And do not take away the rights of the needy in court.
23 The Lord will defend them in court.
And he will take the life of those who take away their rights.
24 Don’t make friends with someone who easily gets angry.
Don’t spend time with someone who has a bad temper.
25 If you do, you may learn to be like him.
Then you will be in real danger.
26 Don’t promise to pay what someone else owes.
And don’t give guarantees that you will pay what he owes.
27 If you cannot pay what he owes,
your own bed will be taken and sold.
28 Don’t move an old stone that shows where a person’s land is.
These stones were set up by your ancestors.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work?
That man will work for kings.
He won’t have to work for ordinary people.
23 If you sit down to eat with a ruler,
notice the food that is in front of you.
2 Control yourself
if you have a big appetite.
3 Don’t be greedy for his fine foods.
He might use that rich food to trick you.
4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to control yourself.
5 Wealth can vanish in the wink of an eye.
It seems to grow wings
and fly away like an eagle in the sky.
6 Don’t eat the food of a selfish person.
Don’t be greedy for his fine foods.
7 A selfish person is always worrying
about how much the food costs.
He tells you, “Eat and drink.”
But he doesn’t really mean it.
8 So you will feel like throwing up the little bit you have eaten.
And you will have wasted your kind words.
9 Don’t speak to a foolish person.
He will only ignore your wise words.
10 Don’t move an old stone that shows where somebody’s land is.
And don’t take fields that belong to orphans.
11 God, their defender, is strong.
He will take their side against you.
12 Remember what you are taught.
And listen carefully to words of knowledge.
13 Don’t fail to punish a child.
If you spank him, you will keep him from dying.
14 If you punish him with a spanking,
you will save him from a fool’s death.
15 My child, if you are wise,
then I will be happy.
16 I will be so pleased
if you speak what is right.
17 Don’t envy sinners.
But always respect the Lord.
18 If you do, you will have hope for the future.
Your wishes will come true.
19 Listen, my child, and be wise.
Keep your mind on what is right.
20 Don’t be one of those who drink too much wine
or who eat too much food.
21 Those who drink too much and eat too much become poor.
They sleep too much and end up wearing rags.
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life.
And do not forget your mother when she is old.
23 Learn the truth and never reject it.
Get wisdom, self-control and understanding.
24 The father of a good child is very happy.
The person who has a wise son is glad because of him.
25 Make your father and mother happy.
Give your mother a reason to be glad.
26 My son, pay attention to me.
And watch closely what I do.
27 A prostitute is as dangerous as a deep pit.
And an unfaithful wife is like a narrow well.
28 They ambush you like robbers.
And they cause many men to be unfaithful to their wives.
29-30 Some people drink too much wine.
They try out all the different kinds of drinks.
So they have trouble. They are sad.
They fight. They complain.
They have unnecessary bruises.
They have bloodshot eyes.
31 Don’t stare at the wine’s pretty, red color.
It may sparkle in the cup.
It may go down your throat smoothly.
32 But later it bites like a snake.
Like a snake, it poisons you.
33 Your eyes will see strange sights.
And your mind will be confused.
34 You will feel dizzy, as if you’re out on the stormy ocean.
You will feel as if you’re on top of a ship’s sails.
35 You will think, “They hit me, but I’m not hurt!
They have beaten me up, but I don’t remember it.
I wish I could wake up.
Then I would get another drink.”
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.