You can read the original here: Proverbs 22
Proverbs 22
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
What you call something is a name. You judge brands, labels, and names by their actions. Take a moment and write down, what people think of your name and the actions you have taken. Also write down what you want your name to mean to others.
2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.
Don’t judge people by anything, especially money. God created everyone. Don’t ever forget that.
3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
but he who guards his soul stays far from them.
When there are warnings take positive action. Noah received a warning, everyone else laughed, mocked, and scoffed. Noah was obedient and is now essentially the father of all humanity. What warnings are you receiving today and what are you doing about it?
4 Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor and life.
If you want to be wealthy, honor, and health be humble and fear the Lord.
6 Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Parents are responsible for their children, however, if the parents aren’t doing their thing, the community should take responsible for their children. There are too many children out there that are not properly trained, myself included. I’m still learning how to train myself.
7 The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Credit card companies rule over the poor. Until the poor get smart and fight back.
8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
You reap what you sow. Don’t plan evil, because it will bite you back some day.
9 A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
Be generous if you want to be blessed. Share your food with the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.
Stay away and get rid of those who cause mockeries. If you want to live a more peaceful life?
11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
will have the king for his friend.
Are you pure in heart? Are your words gracious? I’m still not both yet.
12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
God knows everything, if you don’t take the time to be faithful, your life is going to hurt.
13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!”
or, “I will be murdered in the streets!”
Sluggards make excuses and don’t live life. Do’h, I’m a sluggard right now.
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
he who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
God says adultery causes problems, how many of you have seen adultery not cause problems? Maybe God is warning us.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
Children are evil. Just kidding, they are mischievous though. You need to hit your children with a rod of some sort and discipline them.
16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
If you oppress the poor you will lose and if you give gifts to the rich you will lose.
Sayings of the Wise
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.
Keep wise sayings in your heart and have them memorized.
19 So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I teach you today, even you.20 Have I not written thirty 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.
God listens to prayers of the poor.
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.
Avoid those who get angry.
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.
Avoid pledging to pay for someone’s debt.
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your forefathers.
Be honorable.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.
Everything you do, do your best.
