Proverbs 22
1 A good name is to be chosen over great riches and favor is better than silver and gold.
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2 Rich and poor people have this in common— Yahweh is the maker of all of them.
The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man sees trouble and hides himself, but the naive go on and suffer because of it.
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 The reward for humility and fear of Yahweh is riches, honor, and life.
The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse; whoever guards his life will keep far from them.
Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.
6 Teach a child the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn away from that instruction.
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 and one who borrows is a slave to the one who lends.
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows injustice will reap trouble and the rod of his fury will fade away.
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 The one who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Drive away the mocker, and out goes strife; disputes and insults will cease.
Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious, he will have the king for his friend.
He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12 The eyes of Yahweh keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the treacherous.
The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The lazy person says, “There is a lion in the street! I will be killed in the open places.”
The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; Yahweh's anger is stirred up against anyone who falls into it.
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far away.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 The one who oppresses poor people to increase his wealth, or gives to rich people, will come to poverty.
Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17 Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise and apply your heart to my knowledge,
Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 for it will be pleasant for you if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 So your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach them to you today—even to you.
I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings of instruction and knowledge,
Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
21 to teach you truth in these trustworthy words, so you may give trustworthy answers to those who sent you?
To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the needy at the gate,
Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 for Yahweh will plead their case, and he will rob of life those who robbed them.
for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Do not make a friend of someone who is ruled by anger and you must not go with one who rages,
Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25 or you will learn his ways and you will take bait for your soul.
lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26 Do not be one who strikes hands in making a pledge, or who puts up security for debts.
Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27 If you lack the means to pay, what could stop someone from taking away your bed from under you?
If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Do not remove the ancient boundary stone that your fathers have set.
Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
29 Do you see a man skilled at his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before common people.
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
