Proverbs 22

1 A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.

A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all.

The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.

3 A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.

4 By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.

The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.

5 Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.

The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!

11 He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.

Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.

12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.

13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”

14 The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.

15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.

16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.

17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—

18 For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.

19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!

20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?

21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.

22 Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,

23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.

24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,

25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.

26 Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts.

Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,

27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?

28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.

29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].

If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.