Proverbs 22
Living Bible
22 If you must choose, take a good name rather than great riches; for to be held in loving esteem is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor are alike before the Lord who made them all.
3 A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4 True humility and respect for the Lord lead a man to riches, honor, and long life.
5 The rebel walks a thorny, treacherous road; the man who values his soul will stay away.
6 Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older, he will remain upon it.
7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 The unjust tyrant will reap disaster, and his reign of terror shall end.
9 Happy is the generous man, the one who feeds the poor.
10 Throw out the mocker, and you will be rid of tension, fighting, and quarrels.
11 He who values grace and truth is the king’s friend.
12 The Lord preserves the upright but ruins the plans[a] of the wicked.
13 The lazy man is full of excuses. “I can’t go to work!” he says. “If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!”
14 A prostitute is a dangerous trap; those cursed of God are caught in it.
15 A youngster’s heart is filled with rebellion, but punishment will drive it out of him.
16 He who gains by oppressing the poor or by bribing the rich shall end in poverty.
17-19 Listen to this wise advice; follow it closely, for it will do you good, and you can pass it on to others: Trust in the Lord.
20-21 In the past, haven’t I been right? Then believe what I am telling you now and share it with others.
22-23 Don’t rob the poor and sick! For the Lord is their defender. If you injure them, he will punish you.
24-25 Keep away from angry, short-tempered men, lest you learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
26-27 Unless you have the extra cash on hand, don’t countersign a note. Why risk everything you own? They’ll even take your bed!
28 Do not move the ancient boundary marks. That is stealing.[b]
29 Do you know a hard-working man? He shall be successful and stand before kings!
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:12 the plans, literally, “the words.”
- Proverbs 22:28 That is stealing, implied, see 23:10-11.
Proverbs 22
The Message
The Cure Comes Through Discipline
22 A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich;
a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.
2 The rich and the poor shake hands as equals—
God made them both!
3 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;
a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.
4 The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God
is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.
5 The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick;
if you know what’s good for you, stay clear of it.
6 Point your kids in the right direction—
when they’re old they won’t be lost.
7 The poor are always ruled over by the rich,
so don’t borrow and put yourself under their power.
8 Whoever sows sin reaps weeds,
and bullying anger sputters into nothing.
9 Generous hands are blessed hands
because they give bread to the poor.
10 Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down;
you need a break from bickering and griping!
11 God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken;
good leaders also delight in their friendship.
12 God guards knowledge with a passion,
but he’ll have nothing to do with deception.
13 The loafer says, “There’s a lion on the loose!
If I go out I’ll be eaten alive!”
14 The mouth of a prostitute is a bottomless pit;
you’ll fall in that pit if you’re on the outs with God.
15 Young people are prone to foolishness and fads;
the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.
16 Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever,
you’ll end up the poorer for it.
The Thirty Precepts of the Sages
Don’t Move Back the Boundary Lines
17-21 Listen carefully to my wisdom;
take to heart what I can teach you.
You’ll treasure its sweetness deep within;
you’ll give it bold expression in your speech.
To make sure your foundation is trust in God,
I’m laying it all out right now just for you.
I’m giving you thirty sterling principles—
tested guidelines to live by.
Believe me—these are truths that work,
and will keep you accountable
to those who sent you.
1
22-23 Don’t walk on the poor just because they’re poor,
and don’t use your position to crush the weak,
Because God will come to their defense;
the life you took, he’ll take from you and give back to them.
2
24-25 Don’t hang out with angry people;
don’t keep company with hotheads.
Bad temper is contagious—
don’t get infected.
3
26-27 Don’t gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,
pawning your house against a lucky chance.
The time will come when you have to pay up;
you’ll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.
4
28 Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines
staked out long ago by your ancestors.
5
29 Observe people who are good at their work—
skilled workers are always in demand and admired;
they don’t take a backseat to anyone.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson