< Proverbs 22 >

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

< Proverbs 22 >