Proverbs 22
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than 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 have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.
3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays 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.
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 rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12 The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed 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 an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21 to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25 or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26 Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
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.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
