Proverbs 22
1 (Having a good reputation/Being honored by people) is better than having a lot of money; being well respected is better than having plenty of gold or silver [DOU].
A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
2 There is one thing that is true about both rich people and poor people: Yahweh is the one who created all of them.
The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
3 Those who have good sense realize [that there is something] dangerous ahead, and they avoid it; those who do not have good sense just keep going and later they will suffer because of doing that.
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
4 The reward that Yahweh gives to those who are humble and who revere him is that he causes them to be rich and honored and to live for a long time.
The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
5 Because of the things that wicked people do, [they have difficulties/troubles] that will be like thorns and traps on the roads that they walk on [MET]; people who are careful/cautious will be able to stay away from those difficulties.
Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
6 If you train/teach children to do what is right, all during their life they will act/behave in that manner.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 Rich people rule over poor people harshly, and those who borrow money become like slaves [MET] of the people who lend [money to them].
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8 [If you plant corn or rice, corn or rice will grow]; [similarly], if you act unjustly, you will have disasters [MET]; and if you try to harm/oppress people [because you are angry with them], you will not be able to harm them.
He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 [God] will bless those who are generous [IDM], those who give some of their food to poor [people].
A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10 If you get rid of those who make fun of [everything that is good], there will no more arguing or quarreling or insulting [other people].
Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
11 If you always act sincerely [IDM] and always speak kindly, the king will be your friend.
He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
12 Yahweh [SYN] (watches over/takes care of) [those who have] good understanding/sense, but he ruins the plans/affairs of those who always try to deceive others.
The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
13 Lazy people [remain in their houses]; they say, “A lion might attack me if I go out into the street [to go to work]!”
The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
14 What (wives who commit adultery/immoral women) say [to men] [MTY] is [like] a deep pit [MET] [into which those men fall]; those with whom Yahweh is angry will fall into that pit.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.
15 Children [SYN] naturally do things that are foolish, but if you punish/spank them [PRS], they [will] (stop doing foolish things/learn to behave as they should).
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Those who oppress poor [people] in order to become rich, and those who give [a bribe] to rich [people in order that the rich people will do a favor for them], will just lose their money.
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
17 [Now] listen [MTY] to what wise [people] have said; think carefully about what I am teaching you.
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—
18 It will be good to (keep these things in your minds/always remember them), because if you do that, you will be able to quote/recite them [to others].
for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.
19 [I want you to] trust in Yahweh, and that is the reason that I am telling them to you, now.
So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.
20 I have written [RHQ] 30 (sayings/things that wise people have said) from which you will receive good advice and you will be able you to know [many good/useful things].
Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
21 From them, you will learn what is right and what is true, in order that you will be able to bring back a good report to those who sent you [to school] (OR, give a good answer [to those who ask you questions]).
to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
22 [It is easy to] rob poor [people] who are helpless [and cannot defend themselves, but] never [do that]; and do not oppress in court those who are needy/afflicted,
Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
23 because Yahweh will speak to defend them, and he will punish those who steal things from others—by causing them to die.
for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
24 Do not become friends with those who often become angry, and do not associate with those who cannot control their temper/anger,
Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
25 because you might start to act like they do and not be able to stop doing that.
or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
26 If someone borrows money, do not be one of those who promises to pay what that person owes he cannot pay it back,
Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
27 because if you cannot pay it back, people will surely [RHQ] [come and] take away [everything you own], even your bed.
If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
28 Do not [steal some of your neighbors’ land by] removing the boundary lines/markers that your ancestors placed/set.
Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
29 Know/Learn [RHQ] this about those who do their work very skillfully: They will quit working for ordinary people and will start working for kings [because the kings will want people like that to work for them].
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
