Proverbs 22

1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.2 The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all.3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.4 By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul 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.7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail.9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend.12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless.13 The lazy man says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; He who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there.15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge;18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips,19 So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you.20 Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,21 That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you?22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;23 For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.24 Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go,25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts;27 If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?28 Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set.29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

PROVERBS 22

The Value //of a Good Reputation

1 A good reputation and respect
are worth much more
than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor
are all created
by the [Lord].

3 When you see trouble coming,
don't be stupid
and walk right into it—
be smart and hide.

4 Respect and serve the [Lord]!
Your reward will be wealth,
a long life, and honor.

5 Crooks walk down a road
full of thorny traps.
Stay away from there!

6  t Teach your children
right from wrong,
and when they are grown
they will still do right.

7 The poor are ruled by the rich,
and those who borrow
are slaves of moneylenders.

8 Troublemakers get in trouble,
and their terrible anger
will get them nowhere.

9 The [Lord] blesses everyone
who freely gives food
to the poor.

10 Arguments and fights
will come to an end,
if you chase away those
who insult others.

11 The king is the friend of all
who are sincere
and speak with kindness.

12 The [Lord] watches over everyone
who shows good sense,
but he frustrates the plans
of deceitful liars.

13 Don't be so lazy that you say,
“If I go to work,
a lion will eat me!”

14 The words of a bad woman
are like a deep pit;
if you make the [Lord] angry,
you will fall right in.

15 All children are foolish,
but firm correction
will make them change.

16 Cheat the poor to make profit
or give gifts to the rich—
either way you lose.

Thirty Wise Sayings

17 Here are some sayings
of people with wisdom,
so listen carefully
as I teach.

18 You will be glad
that you know these sayings
and can recite them.

19 I am teaching them today,
so that you
may trust the [Lord].

20 I have written thirty sayings
filled with sound advice.

21 You can trust them completely
to give you the right words
for those in charge of you.

–1–

22 Don't take advantage
of the poor
or cheat them in court.

23 The [Lord] is their defender,
and what you do to them,
he will do to you.

–2–

24 Don't make friends with anyone
who has a bad temper.

25 You might turn out like them
and get caught in a trap.

–3–

26 Don't guarantee to pay
someone else's debt.

27 If you don't have the money,
you might lose your bed.

–4–

28 Don't move a boundary markert
set up by your ancestors.

–5–

29 If you do your job well,
you will work for a ruler
and never be a slave.