Proverbs 22

1 A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favor rather than silver and gold.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all.

The rich and the poor meet together — the LORD is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.

4 By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honor, and life.

The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD, even riches, and honour, and life.

5 Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward; he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his wrath shall fail.

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall end; yes, strife and reproach shall cease.

Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out; yea, strife and shame will cease.

11 He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.

He that loveth pureness of heart, that hath grace in his lips, the king shall be his friend.

12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

The eyes of the LORD preserve him that hath knowledge, but He overthroweth the words of the faithless man.

13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.'

14 The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred by the LORD shall fall therein.

The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

15 Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches], [and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

One may oppress the poor, yet will their gain increase; one may give to the rich, yet will want come.

17 Bow down thy ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge.

Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

18 For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keepest them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; let them be established altogether upon thy lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.

20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

Have not I written unto thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge;

21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send to thee?

That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest bring back words of truth to them that send thee?

22 Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

Rob not the weak, because he is weak, neither crush the poor in the gate;

23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

For the LORD will plead their cause, and despoil of life those that despoil them.

24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; and with a wrathful man thou shalt not go;

25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

26 Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts.

Be thou not of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts;

27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

If thou hast not wherewith to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.