Proverbs 22
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than 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 have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.
The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
4 The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
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 rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
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 who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed 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 an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it 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 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
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 Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
19 I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
20 Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
21 To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent 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 Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
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 their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
24 Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
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 his ways and ensnare your soul.
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
26 Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
27 If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
28 Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure 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.
