Proverbs 22
Common English Bible
22 A good reputation is better than much wealth;
high esteem is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common:
the Lord made them both.
3 Prudent people see trouble and hide,
while the simpleminded go right to it and get punished.
4 The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord
is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns and nets are in the path of the crooked;
those who guard their lives keep their distance.
6 Train children in the way they should go;
when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.
7 The wealthy rule over the poor;
a borrower is a slave to a lender.
8 Those who sow injustice will harvest evil;
the rod of their fury will come to an end.
9 Happy are generous people,
because they give some of their food to the poor.
10 Remove the mocker and conflict disappears;
judgment and shame also stop.
11 Those who love a pure heart—
their speech is gracious, and the king is their friend.
12 The Lord’s eyes protect knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the treacherous.
13 A lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the street!
I’ll be killed in the town square!”
14 The mouth of a mysterious woman is a deep pit;
those under the Lord’s wrath will fall in it.
15 Folly is bound up in a child’s heart;
the rod of discipline removes it.
16 Oppressing the poor to get rich
and giving to the wealthy lead only to poverty.
Thirty sayings of the wise
17 Turn your ear and hear the words of the wise;
focus your mind on my knowledge.
18 It will be pleasant if you keep the words in you,
if you have them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust will be in the Lord,
I’m teaching you today—yes, you.
20 Haven’t I written for you thirty[a] sayings
full of advice and knowledge?
21 Their purpose is to teach you true, reliable words,
so you can report back reliably to those who sent you.
22 Don’t steal from the poor, because they are poor.
Don’t oppress the needy in the gate.
23 The Lord will take up their case
and press the life out of those who oppress them.[b]
24 Don’t befriend people controlled by anger;
don’t associate with hot-tempered people;
25 otherwise, you will learn their ways
and become trapped.
26 Don’t shake hands to guarantee a loan.
27 If you can’t repay,
why should they be able to take your bed from you?
28 Don’t remove an ancient boundary marker
that your ancestors established.
29 Do you see people who work skillfully?
They will work for kings
but not work for lowly people.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:20 Heb uncertain
- Proverbs 22:23 Heb uncertain
Proverbs 22
Modern English Version
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 have this in common,
the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foresees the 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 vanity,
and the rod of his anger will fail.
9 He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he gives of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out;
yes, strife and reproach will cease.
11 He who loves pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips
the king will be his friend.
12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,
and He overthrows the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful man says, “There is a lion without!
I will be slain in the streets!”
14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;
he who is detested by the Lord will fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child,
but 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 want.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
Saying One
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;
they will readily be fitted in your lips.
19 That your trust may be in the Lord,
I have made known to you this day, even to you.
20 Have I not written to you excellent things
in counsels and knowledge,
21 that I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
that you might answer the words of truth
to those who send to you?
Saying Two
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
neither oppress the afflicted in the gate;
23 for the Lord will plead their cause,
and spoil the soul of those who spoiled them.
Saying Three
24 Make no friendship with an angry man,
and with a furious man you will not go,
25 lest you learn his ways
and get a snare to your soul.
Saying Four
26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge,
or of those who use securities for debts;
27 if you have nothing to pay,
why should he take away your bed from under you?
Saying Five
28 Do not remove the ancient landmark
which your fathers have set.
Saying Six
29 Do you see a man diligent in his business?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.