Proverbs 22
1 A good name is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and gold.
A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.
The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
3 The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.
An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
4 The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
5 Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul departeth far from them.
Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
6 It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.
The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.
He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but [a man] shall fully prove the folly of his works.
9 He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.
He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor. He that gives liberally secures victory an honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses [them].
10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.
Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.
11 He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.
The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.
But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
13 The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets.
The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
14 The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.
The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.
Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.
He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
17 Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:
Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,
18 Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:
that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.
That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.
20 Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge:
And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.
21 That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.
I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee.
22 Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:
Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless [man] in the gates.
23 Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.
For the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.
24 Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:
Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
25 Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.
lest thou learn of his ways, and get snares to thy soul.
26 Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:
Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
27 For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?
For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under thee.
28 Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.
Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed.
29 Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.
It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
