Proverbs, Chapters 22-23, verses 17-11: BIBLE, New International Version == BIBLE-CENTER

Proverbs, Chapter 22, verses 17-29

¹⁷ Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,

¹⁸ for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.

¹⁹ So that your trust may be in the LORD ,
I teach you today, even you.

²⁰ Have I not written thirty² sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,

²¹ teaching you true and reliable words,
so that you can give sound answers
to him who sent you?

²² Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,

²³ for the LORD will take up their case
and will plunder those who plunder them.

²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
do not associate with one easily angered,

²⁵ or you may learn his ways
and get yourself ensnared.

²⁶ Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge
or puts up security for debts;

²⁷ if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.

²⁸ Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your forefathers.

²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.

Proverbs, Chapter 23, verses 1-11

¹ When you sit to dine with a ruler,
note well what¹ is before you,

² and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to gluttony.

³ Do not crave his delicacies,
for that food is deceptive.

⁴ Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.

⁵ Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

⁶ Do not eat the food of a stingy man,
do not crave his delicacies;

⁷ for he is the kind of man
who is always thinking about the cost.²
"Eat and drink," he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.

⁸ You will vomit up the little you have eaten
and will have wasted your compliments.

⁹ Do not speak to a fool,
for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

¹⁰ Do not move an ancient boundary stone
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

¹¹ for their Defender is strong;
he will take up their case against you.


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