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Proverbs 22 (CEV)

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¹ A good reputation and respect are worth much more than silver and gold. ² The rich and the poor are all created by the LORD. ³ When you see trouble coming, don't be stupid and walk right into it-- be smart and hide. ⁴ Respect and serve the LORD! Your reward will be wealth, a long life, and honor. ⁵ Crooks walk down a road full of thorny traps. Stay away from there! ⁶ Teach your children right from wrong, and when they are grown they will still do right. ⁷ The poor are ruled by the rich, and those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders. ⁸ Troublemakers get in trouble, and their terrible anger will get them nowhere. ⁹ The LORD blesses everyone who freely gives food to the poor. ¹⁰ Arguments and fights will come to an end, if you chase away those who insult others. ¹¹ The king is the friend of all who are sincere and speak with kindness. ¹² The LORD watches over everyone who shows good sense, but he frustrates the plans of deceitful liars. ¹³ Don't be so lazy that you say, "If I go to work, a lion will eat me!" ¹⁴ The words of a bad woman are like a deep pit; if you make the LORD angry, you will fall right in. ¹⁵ All children are foolish, but firm correction will make them change. ¹⁶ Cheat the poor to make profit or give gifts to the rich-- either way you lose. ¹⁷ Here are some sayings of people with wisdom, so listen carefully as I teach. ¹⁸ You will be glad that you know these sayings and can recite them. ¹⁹ I am teaching them today, so that you may trust the LORD. ²⁰ I have written thirty sayings filled with sound advice. ²¹ You can trust them completely to give you the right words for those in charge of you. ²² Don't take advantage of the poor or cheat them in court. ²³ The LORD is their defender, and what you do to them, he will do to you. ²⁴ Don't make friends with anyone who has a bad temper. ²⁵ You might turn out like them and get caught in a trap. ²⁶ Don't guarantee to pay someone else's debt. ²⁷ If you don't have the money, you might lose your bed. ²⁸ Don't move a boundary marker set up by your ancestors. ²⁹ If you do your job well, you will work for a ruler and never be a slave.