Proverbs 22

1 (Having a good reputation/Being honored by people) is better than having a lot of money; being well respected is better than having plenty of gold or silver [DOU].

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

2 There is one thing that is true about both rich people and poor people: Yahweh is the one who created all of them.

The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all.

3 Those who have good sense realize [that there is something] dangerous ahead, and they avoid it; those who do not have good sense just keep going and later they will suffer because of doing that.

A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

4 The reward that Yahweh gives to those who are humble and who revere him is that he causes them to be rich and honored and to live for a long time.

The reward of humility [and] the fear of Jehovah [Is] riches, and honor, and life.

5 Because of the things that wicked people do, [they have difficulties/troubles] that will be like thorns and traps on the roads that they walk on [MET]; people who are careful/cautious will be able to stay away from those difficulties.

Thorns [and] snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.

6 If you train/teach children to do what is right, all during their life they will act/behave in that manner.

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

7 Rich people rule over poor people harshly, and those who borrow money become like slaves [MET] of the people who lend [money to them].

The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 [If you plant corn or rice, corn or rice will grow]; [similarly], if you act unjustly, you will have disasters [MET]; and if you try to harm/oppress people [because you are angry with them], you will not be able to harm them.

He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail.

9 [God] will bless those who are generous [IDM], those who give some of their food to poor [people].

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

10 If you get rid of those who make fun of [everything that is good], there will no more arguing or quarreling or insulting [other people].

Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.

11 If you always act sincerely [IDM] and always speak kindly, the king will be your friend.

He that loveth pureness of heart, [For] the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.

12 Yahweh [SYN] (watches over/takes care of) [those who have] good understanding/sense, but he ruins the plans/affairs of those who always try to deceive others.

The eyes of Jehovah preserve [him that hath] knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.

13 Lazy people [remain in their houses]; they say, “A lion might attack me if I go out into the street [to go to work]!”

The sluggard saith, There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.

14 What (wives who commit adultery/immoral women) say [to men] [MTY] is [like] a deep pit [MET] [into which those men fall]; those with whom Yahweh is angry will fall into that pit.

The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; He that is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall therein.

15 Children [SYN] naturally do things that are foolish, but if you punish/spank them [PRS], they [will] (stop doing foolish things/learn to behave as they should).

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

16 Those who oppress poor [people] in order to become rich, and those who give [a bribe] to rich [people in order that the rich people will do a favor for them], will just lose their money.

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [gain], [And] he that giveth to the rich, [shall come] only to want.

17 [Now] listen [MTY] to what wise [people] have said; think carefully about what I am teaching you.

Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

18 It will be good to (keep these things in your minds/always remember them), because if you do that, you will be able to quote/recite them [to others].

For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips.

19 [I want you to] trust in Yahweh, and that is the reason that I am telling them to you, now.

That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee.

20 I have written [RHQ] 30 (sayings/things that wise people have said) from which you will receive good advice and you will be able you to know [many good/useful things].

Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,

21 From them, you will learn what is right and what is true, in order that you will be able to bring back a good report to those who sent you [to school] (OR, give a good answer [to those who ask you questions]).

To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?

22 [It is easy to] rob poor [people] who are helpless [and cannot defend themselves, but] never [do that]; and do not oppress in court those who are needy/afflicted,

Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23 because Yahweh will speak to defend them, and he will punish those who steal things from others—by causing them to die.

For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.

24 Do not become friends with those who often become angry, and do not associate with those who cannot control their temper/anger,

Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:

25 because you might start to act like they do and not be able to stop doing that.

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

26 If someone borrows money, do not be one of those who promises to pay what that person owes he cannot pay it back,

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

27 because if you cannot pay it back, people will surely [RHQ] [come and] take away [everything you own], even your bed.

If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

28 Do not [steal some of your neighbors’ land by] removing the boundary lines/markers that your ancestors placed/set.

Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set.

29 Know/Learn [RHQ] this about those who do their work very skillfully: They will quit working for ordinary people and will start working for kings [because the kings will want people like that to work for them].

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