Proverbs — Chapter 22

1A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.

2The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.

3The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

4The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.

5Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.

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

7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

8He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

9A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

10Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.

11He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.

12The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.

13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”

14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.

15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.

17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—

18for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.

19So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.

20Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,

21to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?

22Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,

23for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.

24Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,

25or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

26Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.

27If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

28Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.

29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

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

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

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

4By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

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

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

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

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

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

10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all.

3A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

4The reward of humility [and] the fear of Jehovah [Is] riches, and honor, and life.

5Thorns [and] snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.

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

7The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender.

8He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail.

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

10Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.

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

12The eyes of Jehovah preserve [him that hath] knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.

13The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be slain in the streets.

14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: He that is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall therein.

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

16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [gain], [And] he that giveth to the rich, [shall come] only to want.

17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips.

19That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee.

20Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,

21To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?

22Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.

24Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:

25Lest thou learn this ways, And get a snare to thy soul.

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

27If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

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

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

1A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, good favor more than silver or gold.

2The rich and the poor are met together; the Lord is the Creator of them both.

3A shrewd person saw danger and hid himself, but the naive passed on by and paid for it.

4The reward for humility and fearing the Lord is riches and honor and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse, but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.

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

7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble, and the rod of his fury will end.

9A generous person will be blessed, for he has given some of his food to the poor.

10Drive out the scorner and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease.

11The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious—the king will be his friend.

12The eyes of the Lord watched over a cause and subverted the words of the treacherous person.

13The sluggard has said, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the middle of the streets!”

14The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit; the one against whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

16The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich—both end up only in poverty.

17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my instruction.

18For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips.

19So that your confidence may be in the Lord, I hereby make them known to you today—even you.

20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,

21to show you true and reliable words, so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?

22Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court,

23for the Lord will plead their case and will rob the life of those who are robbing them.

24Do not make friends with an angry person, and do not associate with a wrathful person,

25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

26Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge or who puts up security for debts.

27If you do not have enough to pay, your bed will be taken right out from under you!

28Do not move an ancient boundary stone that was put in place by your ancestors.

29You have seen a person skilled in his work— he will take his position before kings; he will not take his position before obscure people.

1A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

2The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.

3A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

4The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.

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

7The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

9He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.

10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

12Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”

14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it.

15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.

18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

19I teach you today, even you, So that your trust may be in Yahweh.

20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,

21To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

22Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;

23for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:

25lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.

26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.

27If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

28Don’t move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up.

29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.