Proverbs 22:16-29
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 22
16One who oppresses the poor to make more for himself, Or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. 17Extend your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge; 18For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, So that they may be ready on your lips. 19So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have taught you today, you indeed. 20Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, So that you may correctly answer him who sent you? 22Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor crush the needy at the gate; 23For the Lord will plead their case And take the life of those who rob them. 24Do not make friends with a person given to anger, Or go with a hot-tempered person, 25Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself. 26Do not be among those who shake hands, Among those who become guarantors for debts. 27If you have nothing with which to repay, Why should he take your bed from under you? 28Do not move the ancient boundary Which your fathers have set. 29Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure people.King James Version
Chapter 22
16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. 17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 22
16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich—both lead only to poverty. 17Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge. 18For it is pleasing if you keep them within you and if they are constantly on your lips. 19I have instructed you today—even you— so that your confidence may be in the Lord. 20Haven’t I written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
21in order to teach you true and reliable words, so that you may give a dependable report to those who sent you?
22Don’t rob a poor person because he is poor, and don’t crush the oppressed at the city gate,
23for the Lord will champion their cause and will plunder those who plunder them.
24Don’t make friends with an angry person, and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered one,
New Living Translation
17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.
18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.
19I am teaching you today — yes, you — so you will trust in the Lord.
20I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.
21In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
22Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.
23For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
24Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,
25or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
English Standard Version
Chapter 22
16Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. 17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, 18for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. 19That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you. 20Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? 22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, 23for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them. 24Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, 25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 26Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. 27If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you? 28Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set. 29Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.New International Version
Chapter 22
16One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty. 17Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. 20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? 22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life. 24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. 26Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. 28Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors. 29Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.New King James Version
