Proverbs 22
1 A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold—good grace.
A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.
2 Rich and poor have met together, YHWH [is] the Maker of them all.
The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 The prudent has seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.
4 The end of humility [is] the fear of YHWH, riches, and honor, and life.
The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.
5 Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the perverse, Whoever is keeping his soul is far from them.
Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.
6 Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he does not turn from it.
If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.
7 The rich rules over the poor, And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
8 Whoever is sowing perverseness reaps sorrow, And the rod of his anger wears out.
By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.
9 The good of eye—he is blessed, For he has given of his bread to the poor.
He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out a scorner—and contention goes out, And strife and shame cease.
Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.
11 Whoever is loving cleanness of heart, His lips [are] grace, A king [is] his friend.
He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 The eyes of YHWH have kept knowledge, And He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
13 The slothful has said, “A lion [is] outside, I am slain in the midst of the broad places.”
The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.
14 The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit, The abhorred of YHWH falls there.
The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of discipline puts it far from him.
Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.
16 He [who] is oppressing the poor to multiply his [riches], Is giving to the rich—only to want.
He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.
17 Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise, And set your heart to my knowledge,
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
18 For they are pleasant when you keep them in your heart, They are prepared together for your lips.
For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.
19 That your trust may be in YHWH, I caused you to know today, even you.
So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.
20 Have I not written to you three times With counsels and knowledge?
Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,
21 To cause you to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending you.
To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?
22 Do not rob the poor because he [is] poor, And do not bruise the afflicted in the gate.
Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:
23 For YHWH pleads their cause, And has spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.
24 Do not show yourself friendly with an angry man, And do not go in with a man of fury,
Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:
25 Lest you learn his paths, And have received a snare to your soul.
For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.
26 Do not be among those striking hands, Among sureties [for] burdens.
Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:
27 If you have nothing to pay, Why does he take your bed from under you?
If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.
28 Do not remove a border of ancient times, That your fathers have made.
Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.
29 Have you seen a man speedy in his business? He stations himself before kings, He does not station himself before obscure men!
Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.
