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 better is good-will 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.

The prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple rush on, and are punished.

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

By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor 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 deceitful; He that will preserve his life will be 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 accordance with his way, And 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 who soweth iniquity shall reap calamity, And the rod of his punishment is prepared.

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

He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, Because 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 scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and reproach will cease.

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

He who loveth purity of heart, Grace is upon his lips, and the king will be his friend.

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

The eyes of the LORD watch over knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous.

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

The slothful man 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 with whom the LORD is angry shall fall therein.

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

Folly is bound to the heart of a child; But the rod of correction will 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.

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his wealth, And he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

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 give heed to my instruction!

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

For it will be a pleasant thing, if thou keep them in thy bosom, When they are altogether established 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 this day given to thee instruction, yea, to thee.

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

Behold, I have written to thee excellent things Concerning counsel 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 may make thee know rectitude, and words of truth; That thou mayst 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 poor man, because he is poor, Nor crush thou the destitute at the gate;

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

For the LORD will maintain their cause, And despoil their spoilers of life.

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

Make no friendship with a passionate man, Nor be the companion of a man prone to wrath;

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

Lest thou learn his ways, And take to thyself a snare.

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

Be not thou one of those who strike hands, Of those who are sureties for debts.

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

When thou hast nothing to pay, Why should thy bed be taken from under thee?

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

Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have made.

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 be the minister of kings; He shall not serve obscure men.