Proverbs 22
1 A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 If you're sensible you see danger coming and get out of the way; but stupid people just keep going and pay for it.
A prudent man forsees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
5 Thorns and traps lie in the path of crooked people; those who value their lives will stay away from them.
Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: he that does keep his soul shall be far from them.
6 Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7 The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
He that sows iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
He that has a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Get rid of the scornful, and you'll get rid of conflict too—no more arguments or insults!
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11 Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
He that loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12 The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthrows the words of the transgressor.
13 Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
The slothful man says, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 The seductive words of an immoral woman are a dangerous trap—if the Lord's angry with you, then you'll fall right in.
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 If you oppress the poor to make yourself rich, or if you're generous to the rich, you'll end up poor yourself.
He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to lack.
17 Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
Bow down your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart unto my knowledge.
18 for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; they shall likewise be fitted in your lips.
19 I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to you this day, even to you.
20 Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
Have not I written to you excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 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.
That I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth; that you might answer the words of truth to them that send unto you?
22 For you shouldn't steal from the poor just because they're poor; and you shouldn't crush those with limited means in court,
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23 for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man you shall not go:
25 in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
Lest you learn his ways, and get a snare to your soul.
26 Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
Be not you one of them that shake hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27 for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
If you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
Remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set.
29 If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
See you a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
