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, and loving favour 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 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.
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
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 result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honour, 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 path of the wicked; whoever 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. 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 sows wickedness reaps trouble, 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].
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food 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 strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 If you always act sincerely [IDM] and always speak kindly, the king will be your friend.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s 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 watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
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 sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed 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 LORD’s wrath 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).
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; 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.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 [Now] listen [MTY] to what wise [people] have said; think carefully about what I am teaching you.
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
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 a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 [I want you to] trust in Yahweh, and that is the reason that I am telling them to you, now.
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
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].
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of 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 teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones 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,
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
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 plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Do not become friends with those who often become angry, and do not associate with those who cannot control their temper/anger,
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbours anger,
25 because you might start to act like they do and not be able to stop doing that.
lest you learn his ways and ensnare 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,
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral 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 don’t have means to pay, why should he take away 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.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
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 serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
