Proverbs 22

1 A good name is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and gold.

A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than 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 have this in common: YHWH is the maker of them all.

3 The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.

The shrewd see danger and take cover, but the naive keep on going and suffer for it.

4 The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.

The result of humility and the fear of YHWH is wealth, honor, and life.

5 Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul departeth far from them.

Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays 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.

Train a child in the way he should go, and 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 rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.

He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will fail. God blesses a cheerful and generous person, but the vanity of his deeds he will bring to an end.

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 who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.

10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.

Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

11 He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.

He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king's friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.

The eyes of YHWH watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13 The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets.

The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside. I will be killed 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 an adulteress is a deep pit: he who is under YHWH's wrath will fall into it.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it 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.

Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

17 Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:

The words of the wise: Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your heart to my instruction.

18 Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:

For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.

That your trust may be in YHWH, I teach you today, even you.

20 Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge:

Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of 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.

To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

22 Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:

Do not exploit the poor, because he is poor; and do not crush the needy in court;

23 Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.

for YHWH will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

24 Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:

Do not befriend a hot-tempered man, and do not associate with one who harbors anger:

25 Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.

lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.

26 Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:

Do not be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.

27 For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?

If you do not have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

28 Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.

Do not move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up.

29 Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men.