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