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 rather to be chosen than great riches; And better is good-will 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 meet together; The LORD 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 man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush 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.
By humility and the fear of the LORD Are 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 deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be 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 accordance with his way, 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 ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant 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 soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.
9 [God] will bless those who are generous [IDM], those who give some of their food to poor [people].
He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because he giveth 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 the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.
11 If you always act sincerely [IDM] and always speak kindly, the king will be your friend.
He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be 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 watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth 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 man saith, “There is a lion without; I shall 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 strange women is a deep pit; He with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.
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 to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will drive 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 that oppresseth the poor to increase his wealth, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 [Now] listen [MTY] to what wise [people] have said; think carefully about what I am teaching you.
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And give heed to my instruction!
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 will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established upon 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, I have this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.
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 written to thee excellent things Concerning 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]).
That I may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst bring back words of truth to them that send 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,
Rob not the poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute 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 maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.
24 Do not become friends with those who often become angry, and do not associate with those who cannot control their temper/anger,
Make no friendship with a passionate man, Nor be the companion of a man prone to wrath;
25 because you might start to act like they do and not be able to stop doing that.
Lest thou learn his ways, And take to thyself 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,
Be not thou one of those who strike hands, Of those who are 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.
When thou hast nothing to pay, Why should thy bed be taken from under thee?
28 Do not [steal some of your neighbors’ land by] removing the boundary lines/markers that your ancestors placed/set.
Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy 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].
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall be the minister of kings; He shall not serve obscure men.
