Proverbs 22; Proverbs 23

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Proverbs 22

1 If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.
3 Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but an unthinking person will walk right into it and regret it later.
4 Obey the Lord, be humble, and you will get riches, honor, and a long life.
5 If you love your life, stay away from the traps that catch the wicked along the way.
6 Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.
7 Poor people are slaves of the rich. Borrow money and you are the lender's slave.
8 If you plant the seeds of injustice, disaster will spring up, and your oppression of others will end.
9 Be generous and share your food with the poor. You will be blessed for it.
10 Get rid of a conceited person, and then there will be no more arguments, quarreling, or name-calling.
11 If you love purity of heart and graciousness of speech, the king will be your friend.
12 The Lord sees to it that truth is kept safe by disproving the words of liars.
13 Lazy people stay at home; they say a lion might get them if they go outside.
14 Adultery is a trap - it catches those with whom the Lord is angry.
15 Children just naturally do silly, careless things, but a good spanking will teach them how to behave.
16 If you make gifts to rich people or oppress the poor to get rich, you will become poor yourself.
17 Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings,
18 and you will be glad if you remember them and can quote them.
19 I want you to put your trust in the Lord; that is why I am going to tell them to you now.
20 I have written down thirty sayings for you. They contain knowledge and good advice,
21 and will teach you what the truth really is. Then when you are sent to find it out, you will bring back the right answer.
22 Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court.
23 The Lord will argue their case for them and threaten the life of anyone who threatens theirs.
24 Don't make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers.
25 You might learn their habits and not be able to change.
26 Don't promise to be responsible for someone else's debts.
27 If you should be unable to pay, they will take away even your bed.
28 Never move an old property line that your ancestors established.
29 Show me someone who does a good job, and I will show you someone who is better than most and worthy of the company of kings.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Proverbs 23

1 When you sit down to eat with someone important, keep in mind who he is.
2 If you have a big appetite, restrain yourself.
3 Don't be greedy for the fine food he serves; he may be trying to trick you.
4 Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich
5 Your money can be gone in a flash, as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle.
6 Don't eat at the table of a stingy person or be greedy for the fine food he serves.
7 "Come on and have some more," he says, but he doesn't mean it. What he thinks is what he really is.
8 You will vomit up what you have eaten, and all your flattery will be wasted.
9 Don't try to talk sense to a fool; he can't appreciate it.
10 Never move an old property line or take over land owned by orphans.
11 The Lord is their powerful defender, and he will argue their case against you.
12 Pay attention to your teacher and learn all you can.
13 Don't hesitate to discipline children. A good spanking won't kill them.
14 As a matter of fact, it may save their lives
15 My child, if you become wise, I will be very happy.
16 I will be proud when I hear you speaking words of wisdom.
17 Don't be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life.
18 If it is, you have a bright future.
19 Listen, my child, be wise and give serious thought to the way you live
20 Don't associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food.
21 Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags
22 Listen to your father; without him you would not exist. When your mother is old, show her your appreciation.
23 Truth, wisdom, learning, and good sense - these are worth paying for, but too valuable for you to sell.
24 A righteous person's parents have good reason to be happy. You can take pride in a wise child.
25 Let your father and mother be proud of you; give your mother that happiness.
26 Pay close attention, son, and let my life be your example.
27 Prostitutes and immoral women are a deadly trap.
28 They wait for you like robbers and cause many men to be unfaithful.
29 Show me people who drink too much, who have to try out fancy drinks, and I will show you people who are miserable and sorry for themselves, always causing trouble and always complaining. Their eyes are bloodshot, and they have bruises that could have been avoided.
31 Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, and it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly.
32 The next morning you will feel as if you had been bitten by a poisonous snake.
33 Weird sights will appear before your eyes, and you will not be able to think or speak clearly.
34 You will feel as if you were out on the ocean, seasick, swinging high up in the rigging of a tossing ship.
35 "I must have been hit," you will say; "I must have been beaten up, but I don't remember it. Why can't I wake up? I need another drink."
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.