60 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
60 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 22
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1 Choose a good reputation over great riches;
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being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
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2 The rich and poor have this in common:
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The Lord made them both.
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3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
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The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
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4 True humility and fear of the Lord
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lead to riches, honor, and long life.
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5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
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whoever values life will avoid it.
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6 Direct your children onto the right path,
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and when they are older, they will not leave it.
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7 Just as the rich rule the poor,
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so the borrower is servant to the lender.
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8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
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and their reign of terror will come to an end.
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9 Blessed are those who are generous,
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because they feed the poor.
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10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
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Quarrels and insults will disappear.
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11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
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will have the king as a friend.
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12 The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
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but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
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13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
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If I go outside, I might be killed!”
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14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
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those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.
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15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
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but physical discipline will drive it far away.
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16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
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or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
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17 Listen to the words of the wise;
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apply your heart to my instruction.
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18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
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and always ready on your lips.
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19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—
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so you will trust in the Lord.
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20 I have written thirty sayings for you,
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filled with advice and knowledge.
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21 In this way, you may know the truth
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and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
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22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
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or exploit the needy in court.
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23 For the Lord is their defender.
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He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
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24 Don’t befriend angry people
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or associate with hot-tempered people,
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25 or you will learn to be like them
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and endanger your soul.
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26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
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or put up security for someone else.
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27 If you can’t pay it,
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even your bed will be snatched from under you.
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28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
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set up by previous generations.
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29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
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They will serve kings
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rather than working for ordinary people. |