God's New Revelations

The Proverbs

Unlocked Dynamic Bible :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 22 -

The value of a good name

1
Being a person who keeps his word is more important than having great riches, and being a person who everyone respects for doing right, is better than having silver and gold.
2
People who are rich and people who are poor have at least one thing in common, Yahweh made both of them.
3
One who has good sense takes cover when he sees trouble coming, but those who have no experience or knowledge rush ahead into danger.
4
When a person is humble and gives Yahweh the respect he deserves, these are his rewards: Riches, and honor, and life.
5
Where the perverse walk, their way is like a road covered with thorns, and there are traps in every step. When you guard your own life from evil, you will stay away from all these dangers.
6
A child must be shown the way to live and the direction he should go, and when he reaches old age, he will stay on that same path.
7
The fact is that the rich often have power over the poor, and one who borrows money is almost like a slave to the one who lends him the money.
8
If you plant the seeds of wickedness, you can expect a crop of trouble, and when you use a rod to discipline your child, but you use it when you are furious, it will do no good.
9
The one who looks for people to help, Yahweh will give many good gifts, because he considered it important to share his food with the poor.
10
If you throw out the conceited person, out will go all kinds of conflict with him. No one will quarrel or insult anyone else when he is gone.
11
When a person loves to do something just because he wants to do what is good and right, he is sincere, and his speech is filled with kindness, the king will be his friend.
12
Yahweh gives protection to knowledge, to keep it safe, just as surely as he makes the lying promises of the betrayer fail.
13
A lazy person calls out, “There is a lion in the street! If I go out, I will be killed!”
14
The words spoken by an adulteress will draw you in, and it will be as if you have fallen into a deep and dangerous pit! All those who fall into that pit will be in trouble, but what is worse, they will experience Yahweh’s anger for what they have done.
15
Stupid and silly things are bound up within a child, and they come out in foolishness; but correcting a child with discipline drives the folly far away.
16
The one who makes his money by taking advantage of the poor, or by giving more money to the wealthy, Yahweh will bring him into poverty.

Hear the words of the wise

17
Now listen to what those who are wise have said; give it all your attention and learn the knowledge you will need if you are to become wise.
18
It will be good for you to make them the guiding principles you live by, and be able to repeat all of them to others.
19
The most important thing is for you to trust in Yahweh, and so I am teaching them to you, yes, even to you.
20
I have written thirty of these sayings for you to learn; sayings to give you advice and to teach you what you do not know.
21
These lessons show you what is true and they teach you with faithful lessons, so you may give reliable and true answers to those who sent you.
22
Anyone can rob a poor person. Do not do it. And do not hurt them who are begging at the city gate,
23
for Yahweh stands to defend them, and he will take the life of those who stole from the poor.
24
Do not become a friend with one whose life is controlled by his anger, and do not associate with a person who rages in his terrible wrath,
25
or you will learn to be like him, and your anger will become like a trap, a trap that will take charge of your life.
26
Be careful that you do not shake hands and promise to pay for the debts of others, and do not make or sign a pledge so another person can take out a loan.
27
For if you cannot pay it back, they will surely come and take away everything from you, even your bed on which you sleep.
28
The ancient boundary stones show where the property lines are. Do not take them away or move them. Your ancestors put them there. Leave them alone.
29
One who learns a trade and is skillful at it will become a servant of kings. Because of his achievements he will not serve mere ordinary people.

The value of a good name

1
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2
The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.
3
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4
The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
5
Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12
The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
14
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

Hear the words of the wise

17
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23
for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27
If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
29
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.