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 name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold—good grace.
2 There is one thing that is true about both rich people and poor people: Yahweh is the one who created all of them.
Rich and poor have met together, YHWH [is] the 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 has seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
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 end of humility [is] the fear of YHWH, riches, 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 [are] in the way of the perverse, Whoever is keeping his soul is 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.
Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he does not turn 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 rules over the poor, And a servant [is] the borrower 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.
Whoever is sowing perverseness reaps sorrow, And the rod of his anger wears out.
9 [God] will bless those who are generous [IDM], those who give some of their food to poor [people].
The good of eye—he is blessed, For he has given of his bread to 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].
Cast out a scorner—and contention goes out, And strife and shame cease.
11 If you always act sincerely [IDM] and always speak kindly, the king will be your friend.
Whoever is loving cleanness of heart, His lips [are] grace, A king [is] 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 YHWH have kept knowledge, And He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
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 has said, “A lion [is] outside, I am slain in the midst of the broad places.”
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 strange women [is] a deep pit, The abhorred of YHWH falls there.
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 youth, The rod of discipline puts 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.
He [who] is oppressing the poor to multiply his [riches], Is giving to the rich—only to want.
17 [Now] listen [MTY] to what wise [people] have said; think carefully about what I am teaching you.
Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise, And set your heart 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 they are pleasant when you keep them in your heart, They are prepared together for your lips.
19 [I want you to] trust in Yahweh, and that is the reason that I am telling them to you, now.
That your trust may be in YHWH, I caused you to know today, even 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 to you three times With counsels 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 cause you to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending 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 the poor because he [is] poor, And do not bruise the afflicted 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.
For YHWH pleads their cause, And has spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
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 show yourself friendly with an angry man, And do not go in with a man of fury,
25 because you might start to act like they do and not be able to stop doing that.
Lest you learn his paths, And have received a snare to your 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,
Do not be among those striking hands, Among sureties [for] burdens.
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 to pay, Why does he take your bed 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 remove a border of ancient times, That your fathers have made.
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].
Have you seen a man speedy in his business? He stations himself before kings, He does not station himself before obscure men!
