Proverbs 22
1 A fair name is better than much wealth, and good favor is above silver and gold.
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches; And better is good-will than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
The rich and the poor meet together; 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.
The prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush on, and are punished.
4 The fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor 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 way of the deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be far from them.
Train up a child in accordance with his way, 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 ruleth over the poor, And 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 soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.
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 honor; but he takes away the life of them that posses [them].
He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because he giveth of his bread to 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 dishonors all.
Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.
11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be his friend.
12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises [wise] words.
The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
13 The sluggard makes excuses, and says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
The slothful man saith, “There is a lion without; I shall be slain 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 strange women is a deep pit; He with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.
15 Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are [then] far from him.
Folly is bound to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will drive 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.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his wealth, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 Incline your ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply your heart,
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And give heed to my instruction!
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 will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established upon thy lips.
19 That your hope may be in the Lord, and he may make your way known to you.
That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.
20 And do you too repeatedly record them for yourself on the table of your heart, for counsel and knowledge.
Behold, I have written to thee excellent things Concerning 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.
That I may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst bring back words of truth to them that send thee.
22 Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonor the helpless [man] in the gates.
Rob not the poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute at the gate;
23 For the Lord will plead his cause, and you shall deliver your soul in safety.
For the LORD will maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.
24 Be not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
Make no friendship with a passionate man, Nor be the companion of a man prone to wrath;
25 lest you learn of his ways, and get snares to your soul.
Lest thou learn his ways, And take to thyself a snare.
26 Become not surety from respect of a man's person.
Be not thou one of those who strike hands, Of those who are sureties for debts.
27 For if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed [that is] under you.
When thou hast nothing to pay, Why should thy bed be taken from under thee?
28 Remove not the old landmarks, which your fathers placed.
Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have made.
29 It is fit that an observant man and [one] diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall be the minister of kings; He shall not serve obscure men.
