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 preferable to abundant riches, and good grace, to silver and to 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 poor meet together: the Lord is the maker 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.
The prudent foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
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 the Lord are 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 on the way of a perverse man: he that doth guard his soul will keep 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 the lad in accordance with his course: even when he groweth old, will he 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].
A rich man ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the man that lendeth.
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 injustice will reap wrong-doing; and the rod of God's wrath will not fail.
9 [God] will bless those who are generous [IDM], those who give some of their food to poor [people].
A man of a benevolent eye will indeed 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].
Drive away the scorner, and strife will go off; and then will cease contention and dishonor.
11 If you always act sincerely [IDM] and always speak kindly, the king will be your friend.
He that loveth with a pure heart, and hath grace on his lips, will have the king as 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 the Lord guard knowledge, and he overturneth the words of the treacherous.
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 slothful saith, There is a lion without, in the midst of the streets shall I be murdered.
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.
A deep pit is the mouth of adulterous women: he that hath obtained the indignation of the Lord will fall thereinto.
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).
When folly is bound fast to the heart of a lad, the rod of correction must remove 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 riches, [must at length] give to the rich, and come only to want.
17 [Now] listen [MTY] to what wise [people] have said; think carefully about what I am teaching you.
Incline thy 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 thy bosom, if they be altogether firmly seated 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 the Lord, have I made them known to thee this day, yea, 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 for thee excellent things in 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]).
That I might make thee know rectitude, the sayings of truth; that thou mightest bring back answers of truth to those 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 crush 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 the Lord will plead their cause, and despoil the life of 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 given to anger; and with a man of fury thou must have no intercourse:
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 for thy own 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 not one of those that pledge their hand, or of those 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 have nothing 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 established.
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 that is diligent in his work? before kings may he place himself: let him not place himself before obscure men.
