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
International Standard Version
Advice for Everyday Life
22 A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth,
and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common—
the Lord created both of them.
3 The prudent person sees trouble ahead and hides,
but the naïve continue on and suffer the consequences.
4 The reward of humility is the fear of the Lord,
along with wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse person,
but whoever is cautious stays far away from them.
6 Train a child in the way appropriate for him,
and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it.
7 The wealthy rule over the poor,
and anyone who borrows is a slave to the lender.
8 Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the anger he uses for a weapon[a] will be destroyed.
9 Whoever is generous[b] will be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.
11 Whoever loves purity[e] and gracious speech
will gain the king as his friend.
12 The Lord watches over anyone with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans[f] of the unfaithful.
13 The lazy person says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the street!”
14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;
a man experiencing the Lord’s wrath will fall into it.
15 A child’s heart has a tendency to do wrong,
but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor to enrich himself
and whoever gives gifts to the wealthy
will yield only loss.
Sayings of the Wise
17 Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my teaching,
18 for it is pleasant when you treasure them within you
and have them ready on your lips.
19 As a result, your trust will be in the Lord,
that’s why I’m teaching you today, even you.
20 Have I not written for you 30 sayings
containing counsel and knowledge,
21 to teach you true and reliable advice,
so you can give truthful answers to those who sent you?
22 Don’t rob the poor person because he is poor,
and don’t crush the helpless in court,[g]
23 for the Lord will plead their case
and ruin the lives of those who ruin them.
24 Don’t make friends with a hot-tempered man,
and do not associate with someone who is easily angered,
25 or you may learn his ways
and find yourself caught in a trap.
26 Don’t be one of those who make promises
to guarantee loans for debts.
27 If you don’t have the ability to pay,
why should your very bed be taken from under you?
28 Don’t remove an ancient boundary stone
that was set up by your ancestors.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will work for kings, not unimportant people.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:8 Lit. rod
- Proverbs 22:9 Lit. A good eye
- Proverbs 22:10 The Heb. lacks too
- Proverbs 22:10 Or litigation
- Proverbs 22:11 Lit. purity of heart
- Proverbs 22:12 Lit. words
- Proverbs 22:22 Lit. gate
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