Proverbs 22
1 A good name is better than great riches: 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 poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
3 The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.
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 fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul departeth far from them.
Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
6 It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.
The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.
Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
9 He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.
If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.
Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
11 He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.
Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.
The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
13 The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of 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 strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.
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 bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.
Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
16 He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.
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 thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:
Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
18 Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:
for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.
I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
20 Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge:
Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
21 That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent 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, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:
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 Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.
for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
24 Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:
Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
25 Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.
in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
26 Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:
Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
27 For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?
for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
28 Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.
Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
29 Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.
If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
