Proverbs 22
1 A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold—good grace.
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2 Rich and poor have met together, YHWH [is] the Maker of them all.
The rich and the poor have this in common: 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.
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 The end of humility [is] the fear of YHWH, riches, and honor, and life.
The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the perverse, Whoever is keeping his soul is far from them.
Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6 Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he does not turn from it.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich rules over the poor, And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Whoever is sowing perverseness reaps sorrow, And the rod of his anger wears out.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 The good of eye—he is blessed, For he has given of his bread to the poor.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Cast out a scorner—and contention goes out, And strife and shame cease.
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 Whoever is loving cleanness of heart, His lips [are] grace, A king [is] his friend.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12 The eyes of YHWH have kept knowledge, And He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The slothful has said, “A lion [is] outside, I am slain in the midst of the broad places.”
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
14 The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit, The abhorred of YHWH falls there.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of discipline puts it far from him.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 He [who] is oppressing the poor to multiply his [riches], Is giving to the rich—only to want.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise, And set your heart to my knowledge,
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 For they are pleasant when you keep them in your heart, They are prepared together for your lips.
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 That your trust may be in YHWH, I caused you to know today, even you.
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20 Have I not written to you three times With counsels and knowledge?
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21 To cause you to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending you.
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Do not rob the poor because he [is] poor, And do not bruise the afflicted in the gate.
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 For YHWH pleads their cause, And has spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Do not show yourself friendly with an angry man, And do not go in with a man of fury,
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25 Lest you learn his paths, And have received a snare to your soul.
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26 Do not be among those striking hands, Among sureties [for] burdens.
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27 If you have nothing to pay, Why does he take your bed from under you?
If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Do not remove a border of ancient times, That your fathers have made.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
29 Have you seen a man speedy in his business? He stations himself before kings, He does not station himself before obscure men!
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
