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 better than great riches: and good favour is above 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 poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.
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 man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.
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 fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory 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.
Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul departeth 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.
It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even 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 ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.
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 that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.
9 [God] will bless those who are generous [IDM], those who give some of their food to poor [people].
He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.
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].
Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.
11 If you always act sincerely [IDM] and always speak kindly, the king will be your friend.
He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his 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 eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.
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 slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of 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 a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall 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).
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.
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.
He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.
17 [Now] listen [MTY] to what wise [people] have said; think carefully about what I am teaching you.
Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:
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].
Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:
19 [I want you to] trust in Yahweh, and that is the reason that I am telling them to you, now.
That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.
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].
Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts 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]).
That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.
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 no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in 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.
Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.
24 Do not become friends with those who often become angry, and do not associate with those who cannot control their temper/anger,
Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:
25 because you might start to act like they do and not be able to stop doing that.
Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.
26 If someone borrows money, do not be one of those who promises to pay what that person owes he cannot pay it back,
Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:
27 because if you cannot pay it back, people will surely [RHQ] [come and] take away [everything you own], even your bed.
For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the covering from thy bed?
28 Do not [steal some of your neighbors’ land by] removing the boundary lines/markers that your ancestors placed/set.
Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.
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].
Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.
