Proverbs 22
1 A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favor is above silver and gold.
A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
4 The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
5 Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
7 The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
8 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.
By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
9 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 honor; but he takes away the life of them that posses [them].
He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonors all.
Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
13 The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
14 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.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
15 Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
16 He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
17 Incline your ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply your heart,
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
18 that you may know that they are good: and if you lay them to heart, they shall also gladden you on your lips.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
19 That your hope may be in the Lord, and he may make your way known to you.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
20 And do you too repeatedly record them for yourself on the table of your heart, for counsel and knowledge.
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
21 I therefore teach you truth, and knowledge good to hear; that you may answer words of truth to them that question you.
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
22 Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonor the helpless [man] in the gates.
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
23 For the Lord will plead his cause, and you shall deliver your soul in safety.
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
24 Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
25 lest you learn of his ways, and get snares to your soul.
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
26 Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
27 For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under you.
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
28 Remove not the old landmarks, which your fathers placed.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
29 It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
