Proverbs 22
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favor is above silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
4 The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
5 Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
8 He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
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.
9 A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
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].
10 Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
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.
11 He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
12 The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
13 The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.
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.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
16 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—
Incline your ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply your heart,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.
that you may know that they are good: and if you lay them to heart, they shall also gladden you on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.
That your hope may be in the Lord, and he may make your way known to you.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
And do you too repeatedly record them for yourself on the table of your heart, for counsel and knowledge.
21 to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
I therefore teach you truth, and knowledge good to hear; that you may answer words of truth to them that question you.
22 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonor the helpless [man] in the gates.
23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
For the Lord will plead his cause, and you shall deliver your soul in safety.
24 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
25 or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
lest you learn of his ways, and get snares to your soul.
26 Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under you.
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
Remove not the old landmarks, which your fathers placed.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
