Proverbs 22

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

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

3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

4 Humility is the fear of the Lord;
its wages are riches and honor and life.

5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

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

8 Those who sow injustice reap calamity,
and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.

9 The generous will themselves be blessed,
for they share their food with the poor.

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.

11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
will have the king for a friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the public square!”

14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;
a man who is under the Lord ’s wrath falls into it.

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

16 Those who oppress the poor to increase their wealth
and those who give gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,

18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.

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

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

21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,
so that you bring back truthful reports
to those you serve?

22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor
and do not crush the needy in court,

23 for the Lord will take up their case
and will exact life for life.

24 Do not make friends with the hot-tempered,
do not associate with those who are easily angered,

25 or you may learn their ways
and get yourself ensnared.

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge
or puts up security for debts;

27 if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
set up by your ancestors.

29 Do you see those who are skilled in their work?
They will serve before kings;
they will not serve before officials of low rank.

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.