Proverbs 22
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Jehovah 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 shrewd see danger and take cover, but the naive keep on going and suffer for it.
The shrewd see danger and take cover, but the naive keep on going and suffer for it.
4 The result of humility and the fear of Jehovah is wealth, 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 path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.
Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.
6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will fail. God blesses a cheerful and generous person, but the vanity of his deeds he will bring to an end.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will fail. God blesses a cheerful and generous person, but the vanity of his deeds he will bring to an end.
9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king's friend.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king's friend.
12 The eyes of Jehovah watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside. I will be killed in the streets."
The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside. I will be killed in the streets."
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit: he who is under Jehovah's wrath will fall into it.
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 child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 The words of the wise: Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your heart to my instruction.
The words of the wise: Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your heart to my instruction.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on 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 Jehovah, I teach you today, even you.
That your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.
20 Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21 To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Do not exploit the poor, because he is poor; and do not crush the needy in court;
Do not exploit the poor, because he is poor; and do not crush the needy in court;
23 for Jehovah will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Do not befriend a hot-tempered man, and do not associate with one who harbors anger:
Do not befriend a hot-tempered man, and do not associate with one who harbors anger:
25 lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.
lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.
26 Do not be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
Do not be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27 If you do not have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
If you do not have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Do not move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up.
Do not move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men.
