Immerse: Poets Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 245
22:4-20
P ro v er b s
True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.
Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.
Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.
Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.
Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.
Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.
Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.
Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.
The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”
The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.
A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.
A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.
For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.
I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the Lord.
I have written thirty sayings for you,
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