Study

22. Proverbs of Solomon

    ² Rich and poor have this in common:
   The LORD is the Maker of them all.

    ³ The prudent see danger and take refuge,
   but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

    ⁴ Humility is the fear of the LORD;
   its wages are riches and honor and life.

    ⁵ In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
   but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

    ⁶ Start children off on the way they should go,
   and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

    ⁷ The rich rule over the poor,
   and the borrower is slave to the lender.

    ⁸ Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,
   and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.

    ⁹ The generous will themselves be blessed,
   for they share their food with the poor.

    ¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
   quarrels and insults are ended.

    ¹¹ One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
   will have the king for a friend.

    ¹² The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
   but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

    ¹³ The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
   I’ll be killed in the public square!”

    ¹⁴ The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;
   a man who is under the LORD’s wrath falls into it.

    ¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
   but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

    ¹⁶ One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
   and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

    Saying 1

    ¹⁷ Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
   apply your heart to what I teach,
¹⁸ for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
   and have all of them ready on your lips.
¹⁹ So that your trust may be in the LORD,
   I teach you today, even you.
²⁰ Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
   sayings of counsel and knowledge,
²¹ teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,
   so that you bring back truthful reports
   to those you serve?

    Saying 2

    ²² Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
   and do not crush the needy in court,
²³ for the LORD will take up their case
   and will exact life for life.

    Saying 3

    ²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
   do not associate with one easily angered,
²⁵ or you may learn their ways
   and get yourself ensnared.

    Saying 4

    ²⁶ Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge
   or puts up security for debts;
²⁷ if you lack the means to pay,
   your very bed will be snatched from under you.

    Saying 5

    ²⁸ Do not move an ancient boundary stone
   set up by your ancestors.

    Saying 6

    ²⁹ Do you see someone skilled in their work?
   They will serve before kings;
   they will not serve before officials of low rank.