Proverbs 22 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Pro 22:1Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

Pro 22:2The rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD made them both.

Pro 22:3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Pro 22:4

Pro 22:4True humility and fear of the LORD
lead to riches, honor, and long life.

Pro 22:5

Pro 22:5Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.

Pro 22:6

Pro 22:6Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Pro 22:7

Pro 22:7Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.

Pro 22:8

Pro 22:8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.[fn]

Pro 22:9

Pro 22:9Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.

Pro 22:10

Pro 22:10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.

Pro 22:11

Pro 22:11Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.

Pro 22:12

Pro 22:12The LORD preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

Pro 22:13

Pro 22:13The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”

Pro 22:14

Pro 22:14The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the LORD angry will fall into it.

Pro 22:15

Pro 22:15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.

Pro 22:16

Pro 22:16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

Pro 22:17

Pro 22:17Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.

Pro 22:18

Pro 22:18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.

Pro 22:19

Pro 22:19I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the LORD.

Pro 22:20

Pro 22:20I have written thirty sayings[fn] for you,
filled with advice and knowledge.

Pro 22:21

Pro 22:21In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

Pro 22:22

Pro 22:22Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
or exploit the needy in court.

Pro 22:23

Pro 22:23For the LORD is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

Pro 22:24

Pro 22:24Don’t befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,

Pro 22:25

Pro 22:25or you will learn to be like them
and endanger your soul.

Pro 22:26

Pro 22:26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for someone else.

Pro 22:27

Pro 22:27If you can’t pay it,
even your bed will be snatched from under you.

Pro 22:28

Pro 22:28Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
set up by previous generations.

Pro 22:29

Pro 22:29Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.

See the NLT Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NLT Footnotes

(22:8)

The Greek version includes an additional proverb: God blesses a man who gives cheerfully, / but his worthless deeds will come to an end. Compare 2 Cor 9:7.

(22:20)

Or excellent sayings; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

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For more information on this translation, see the NLT Preface.