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22:1  You should want a good name more than you want great riches. To be highly respected is better than having silver or gold.
22:2  The Lord made rich people and poor people. That’s what they have in common.
22:3  Wise people see danger and go to a safe place. But childish people keep going and suffer for it.
22:4  Being humble comes from having respect for the Lord. This will bring you wealth and honor and life.
22:5  Thorns and traps lie in the paths of evil people. But those who value their lives stay far away from them.
22:6  Start children off on the right path. And even when they are old, they will not turn away from it.
22:7  Rich people rule over those who are poor. Borrowers are slaves to lenders.
22:8  Anyone who plants evil gathers a harvest of trouble. Their power to treat others badly will be destroyed.
22:9  Those who give freely will be blessed. That’s because they share their food with those who are poor.
22:10  If you drive away those who make fun of others, fighting also goes away. Arguing and unkind words will stop.
22:11  A person who has a pure and loving heart and speaks kindly will be a friend of the king.
22:12  The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge. But he does away with the words of those who aren’t faithful.
22:13  People who don’t want to work say, “There’s a lion outside!” Or they say, “I’ll be murdered if I go out into the streets!”
22:14  The mouth of a woman who commits adultery is like a deep pit. Any man the Lord is angry with falls into it.
22:15  Children are going to do foolish things. But correcting them will drive that foolishness far away.
22:16  You might treat poor people badly or give gifts to rich people. Trying to get rich in these ways will instead make you poor.
22:17  Pay attention and listen to the sayings of wise people. Apply your heart to the sayings I teach.
22:18  It is pleasing when you keep them in your heart. Have all of them ready on your lips.
22:19  You are the one I am teaching today. That’s because I want you to trust in the Lord.
22:20  I have written 30 sayings for you. They will give you knowledge and good advice.
22:21  I am teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth. Then you can give honest reports to those you serve.
22:22  Don’t take advantage of poor people just because they are poor. Don’t treat badly those who are in need by taking them to court.
22:23  The Lord will stand up for them in court. He will require the lives of people who have taken the lives of those in need.
22:24  Don’t be a friend of a person who has a bad temper. Don’t go around with a person who gets angry easily.
22:25  You might learn their habits. And then you will be trapped by them.
22:26  Don’t agree to pay for what someone else owes. And don’t agree to pay their bills for them.
22:27  If you don’t have the money to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you!
22:28  Don’t move old boundary stones set up by your people of long ago.
22:29  Do you see someone who does good work? That person will serve kings. That person won’t serve officials of lower rank.