HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 947
PR OVER B S 22
page 577
21
Whoever pursues righteousness and
unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22
The wise conquer the city of the strong
and level the fortress in which they
trust.
8
Those who plant injustice will harvest
disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to
an end.*
9
Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.
23
Watch your tongue and keep your
mouth shut,
and you will stay out of trouble.
10
Throw out the mocker, and fighting
goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.
24
Mockers are proud and haughty;
they act with boundless arrogance.
11
25
Despite their desires, the lazy will come
to ruin,
for their hands refuse to work.
Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious
speech
will have the king as a friend.
12
The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
13
The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion
out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”
14
The mouth of an immoral woman is a
dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will
fall into it.
15
A youngster’s heart is filled with
foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it
far away.
16
A person who gets ahead by oppressing
the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will
end in poverty.
26
Some people are always greedy for more,
but the godly love to give!
27
The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong
motives.
28
A false witness will be cut off,
but a credible witness will be allowed
to speak.
29
The wicked bluff their way through,
but the virtuous think before they act.
30
No human wisdom or understanding
or plan
can stand against the Lord.
31
The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.
22
Choose a good reputation over
great riches;
being held in high esteem is better
than silver or gold.
1
2
The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both.
3
A prudent person foresees danger and
takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and
suffers the consequences.
4
True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5
Corrupt people walk a thorny,
treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.
6
Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not
leave it.
7
Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.
22:8 The Greek version includes an additional proverb: God
blesses a man who gives cheerfully, / but his worthless deeds
will come to an end. Compare 2 Cor 9:7.
• Giving
PR OV E R B S 21:25-26
Greed is never satisfied because self is
at the center of its world, and the self is
forever taking, grasping after whatever
is beneficial to “me.” A person secure
in the love of God approaches life with
quite a different attitude: Because I am
sure that God will take care of me and
provide all that I need, I no longer have
to be greedy, desperately looking out for
myself and grabbing everything in sight.
Instead, I can look for opportunities to
give generously to others.
Ultimately, greed is a sign of emptiness. If you find yourself grasping after
things in life, worried that you won’t get
what you want, what you need, or what
you deserve, you have put your trust
in the wrong place. Greed will use you
up without giving anything in return.
God’s great love offers us a fuller, more
satisfying life.