Proverbs 22
1 A good reputation is a much better choice than plenty of money; respect is better than silver and gold.
A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold — good grace.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord created them all.
Rich and poor have met together, The Maker of them all [is] Jehovah.
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.
The prudent hath seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
4 The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.
The end of humility [is] the fear of Jehovah, 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 — snares [are] in the way of the perverse, Whoso is keeping his soul is far from them.
6 Teach children the right way to live, and when they grow up they'll go on doing so.
Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he turneth not from it.
7 The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
The rich over the poor ruleth, And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
8 Those who sow injustice will reap disaster, and the angry beatings they inflict on others will be stopped.
Whoso is sowing perverseness reapeth sorrow, And the rod of his anger weareth out.
9 If you're generous, you'll be blessed, for you share your food with those in need.
The good of eye — he is blessed, For he hath given 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 a scorner — and contention goeth out, And strife and shame cease.
11 Anyone who loves sincerity and a gracious way of speaking will have the king as their friend.
Whoso is loving cleanness of heart, Grace [are] his lips, a king [is] his friend.
12 The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
The eyes of Jehovah have kept knowledge, And He overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
13 Lazy people make claims like, “There's a lion outside! I might be killed if I go out there!”
The slothful hath said, 'A lion [is] without, In the midst of the broad places I am slain.'
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.
A deep pit [is] the mouth of strange women, The abhorred of Jehovah falleth there.
15 Children are naturally foolish; physical correction helps them to see sense.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of chastisement putteth 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 is oppressing the poor to multiply to him, He is giving to the rich — only to want.
17 Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—
Incline thine ear, and hear words of the wise, And thy heart set to my knowledge,
18 for it's good to keep them in mind so you can be ready to share them.
For they are pleasant when thou dost keep them in thy heart, They are prepared together for thy lips.
19 I'm explaining this to you today so you can trust in the Lord—yes, you!
That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I caused thee to know to-day, even thou.
20 Haven't I written down for you thirty sayings of advice and wisdom?
Have I not written to thee three times With 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.
To cause thee to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending thee.
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, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate.
23 for the Lord will plead their case, and he will take back whatever was stolen from them.
For Jehovah pleadeth their cause, And hath spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
24 Don't make friends with someone who gets upset easily; don't associate with angry people,
Shew not thyself friendly with an angry man, And with a man of fury go not in,
25 in case you learn to be like them and make a mess of your life.
Lest thou learn his paths, And have received a snare to thy soul.
26 Don't shake hands and guarantee someone's debt,
Be not thou among those striking hands, Among sureties [for] burdens.
27 for if you can't pay, why should your bed be taken away from beneath you?
If thou hast nothing to pay, Why doth he take thy bed from under thee?
28 Don't move ancient boundary markers that your forefathers put in place.
Remove not a border of olden times, That thy fathers have made.
29 If you see someone skilled in what they do, they'll work for kings and not for ordinary people.
Hast thou seen a man speedy in his business? Before kings he doth station himself, He stations not himself before obscure men!
