December 22 – Proverbs 22 from the Old Testament

Proverbs 22 –

22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth,

good favor more than silver or gold.

22:2 The rich and the poor meet together;

the Lord is the creator of them both.

22:3 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself,

but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.

22:4 The reward for humility and fearing the Lord

is riches and honor and life.

22:5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse,

but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.

22:6 Train a child in the way that he

should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it.

22:7 The rich rule over the poor,

and the borrower is servant to the lender.

22:8 The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble,

and the rod of his fury will end.

22:9 A generous person will be blessed,

for he gives some of his food to the poor.

22:10 Drive out the scorner and contention will leave;

strife and insults will cease.

22:11 The one who loves a pure heart

and whose speech is gracious – the king will be his friend.

22:12 The eyes of the Lord guard knowledge,

but he overthrows the words of the faithless person.

22:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!

I will be killed in the middle of the streets!”

22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit;

the one against whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,

but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

22:16 The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain

and the one who gives to the rich – both end up only in poverty.

The Sayings of the Wise

22:17 Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise,

and apply your heart to my instruction.

22:18 For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you,

and they are ready on your lips.

22:19 So that your confidence may be in the Lord,

I am making them known to you today – even you.

22:20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,

sayings of counsel and knowledge,

22:21 to show you true and reliable words,

so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?

 

22:22 Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor

and do not crush the needy in court,

22:23 for the Lord will plead their case

and will rob those who are robbing them.

22:24 Do not make friends with an angry person,

and do not associate with a wrathful person,

22:25 lest you learn his ways

and entangle yourself in a snare.

22:26 Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge

or who puts up security for debts.

22:27 If you do not have enough to pay,

your bed will be taken right out from under you!

22:28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone

which was put in place by your ancestors.

22:29 Do you see a person skilled in his work?

He will take his position before kings;

he will not take his position before obscure people.