Proverbs 22
1 A good name is better than many riches. And good esteem is above silver and gold.
A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favor is above silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor have met one another. The Lord is the maker of them both.
The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
3 The clever saw evil and hid himself. The innocent continued on and was afflicted with damage.
An intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
4 The end of moderation is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
5 Weapons and swords are on the way of the perverse. But he who guards his own soul withdraws far from them.
Thistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
6 The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor. And the borrower is servant to the lender.
The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
8 Whoever sows iniquity will reap evils, and by the rod of his own wrath he will be consumed.
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 Whoever is inclined to mercy shall be blessed, for from his bread he has given to the poor. Whoever gives gifts will acquire victory and honor. But he carries away the soul of the receiver.
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 Cast out the one who ridicules, and conflict will go out with him, and accusations 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 Whoever loves cleanness of heart, because of the grace of his lips, will have the king as his friend.
The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge. And the words of the iniquitous are supplanted.
But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
13 The lazy one says: “There is a lion outside. I might be slain in the midst of the streets.”
The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
14 The mouth of a foreign woman is a deep pit; the Lord was angry with him who 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 has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.
Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
16 Whoever slanders the poor, so as to augment his own riches, will give it away to one who is richer, and will be in need.
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 listen to the words of the wise. Then apply your heart to my doctrine.
Incline your ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply your heart,
18 It shall be beautiful to you, if you preserve it in your inner self, and it shall overflow from 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 confidence may be in the Lord. Therefore, I also have revealed it to you this day.
That your hope may be in the Lord, and he may make your way known to you.
20 Behold, I have written it for you in three ways, and with meditations and knowledge,
And do you too repeatedly record them for yourself on the table of your heart, for counsel and knowledge.
21 so that I might reveal to you, firmly and with words of truth, in order to respond about these things to 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 act with violence toward the pauper because he is poor. And do not weary the needy 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 judge his case, and he will pierce those who have pierced his soul.
For the Lord will plead his cause, and you shall deliver your soul in safety.
24 Do not be willing to be a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man,
Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
25 lest perhaps you learn his ways, and take up a stumbling block to your soul.
lest you learn of his ways, and get snares to your soul.
26 Do not be willing to be with those who certify with their hands, and who offer themselves as a guarantee against debts.
Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
27 For if you do not have the means to restore, what reason should there be for him to take the covering from your bed?
For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under you.
28 Do not cross beyond the ancient limits that your fathers have set.
Remove not the old landmarks, which your fathers placed.
29 Have you seen a man swift in his work? He shall stand in the sight of kings, and not before those who are disreputable.
It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
