Proverbs 22
World English Bible
22 A good name is more desirable than great riches,
and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common:
Yahweh is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself;
but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh
is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked:
whoever guards his soul stays 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 rule over the poor.
The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed;
for he shares his food with the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out;
yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully
is the king’s friend.
12 Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge;
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the streets!”
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit.
He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child:
the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich,
both come to poverty.
17 Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise.
Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.
19 I teach you today, even you,
So that your trust may be in Yahweh.
20 Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things
of counsel and knowledge,
21 To teach you truth, reliable words,
to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor;
and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 for Yahweh will plead their case,
and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man,
and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:
25 lest you learn his ways,
and ensnare your soul.
26 Don’t you be one of those who strike hands,
of those who are collateral for debts.
27 If you don’t have means to pay,
why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Don’t move the ancient boundary stone
which your fathers have set up.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve kings.
He won’t serve obscure men.
Proverbs 22
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
22 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.(A)
3 A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering].
4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.(B)
7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail.
9 He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.(C)
10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease.
11 He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech—because of the grace of his lips will he have the king for his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13 The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!
14 The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
16 He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich—both will surely come to want.
17 Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;
18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.
19 So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you.
20 Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?(D)
22 Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held],(E)
23 For the Lord will plead their cause and deprive of life those who deprive [the poor or afflicted].(F)
24 Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate,
25 Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare.
26 Be not one of those who strike hands and pledge themselves, or of those who become security for another’s debts.
27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set up.
29 Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
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