Proverbs 22
1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; And better is good-will than silver and gold.
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favour is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor meet together; The LORD is the Maker of them all.
The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.
3 The prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush on, and are punished.
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.
The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honour, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be far from them.
Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6 Train up a child in accordance with his way, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Train up 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 the lender.
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because he giveth of his bread to the poor.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be his friend.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12 The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
The LORD’s eyes 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 streets.”
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; He with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
15 Folly is bound to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will drive it far from him.
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 wealth, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And give heed to my instruction!
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 For it will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established upon 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, I have this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20 Behold, I have written to thee excellent things Concerning counsel and knowledge;
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21 That I may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst bring back words of truth to them that send thee.
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Rob not the poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute at the gate;
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 For the LORD will maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.
for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Make no friendship with a passionate man, Nor be the companion of a man prone to wrath;
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbours anger,
25 Lest thou learn his ways, And take to thyself a snare.
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26 Be not thou one of those who strike hands, Of those who are sureties for debts.
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27 When thou hast nothing to pay, Why should thy bed be taken from under thee?
If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have made.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall be the minister of kings; He shall not serve obscure men.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
