Proverbs 22
1 A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.
A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
3 An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
4 The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
7 The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
8 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.
Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
9 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 honour; but he takes away the life of them that posses [them].
If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
10 Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.
Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
13 The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
14 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.
The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
15 Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
16 He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
17 Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,
Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
18 that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.
for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
19 That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.
I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
20 And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.
Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
21 I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee.
They are to make it clear to you what's right and true, so you can give a truthful explanation to those who sent you.
22 Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless [man] in the gates.
For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
23 For the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.
for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
24 Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
25 lest thou learn of his ways, and get snares to thy soul.
in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
26 Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
27 For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under thee.
for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
28 Remove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed.
Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
29 It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
