Old Testament

New Testament

Proverbs 22:5-14 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

5. Thorns and traps lie in the paths of evil people. But those who guard themselves stay far away from them.

6. Train a child in the way he should go. When he is old, he will not turn away from it.

7. Rich people rule over those who are poor. Borrowers are slaves to lenders.

8. Anyone who plants evil gathers a harvest of trouble. His power to beat others down will be destroyed.

9. Anyone who gives freely will be blessed. That's because he shares his food with those who are poor.

10. If you drive away those who make fun of others, fighting also goes away. Arguing and unkind words will stop.

11. Have a pure and loving heart, and speak kindly. Then you will be a friend of the king.

12. The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge. But he does away with the words of those who aren't faithful.

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!"

14. The mouth of a woman who commits adultery is like a deep pit. Any man the Lord is angry with will fall into it.

Read complete chapter Proverbs 22