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, and loving favour 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 the maker of them all.
3 An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honour, and life.
5 Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
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. The borrower is servant 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 wickedness reaps trouble, 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].
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food 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 strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed 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 LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
15 Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; 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.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 Incline your ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply your heart,
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
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 a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 That your hope may be in the Lord, and he may make your way known to you.
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20 And do you too repeatedly record them for yourself on the table of your heart, for counsel and knowledge.
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of 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 teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless [man] in the gates.
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 For the Lord will plead his cause, and you shall deliver your soul in safety.
for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbours anger,
25 lest you learn of his ways, and get snares to your soul.
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26 Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27 For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under you.
If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Remove not the old landmarks, which your fathers placed.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
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 serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
