Proverbs 22
1A good name is to be chosen over great riches 1 and favor is better than silver and gold. 1
2Rich and poor people have this in common— 1 Yahweh is the maker of all of them. 1
3A prudent man sees trouble and hides himself, 1 but the naive go on and suffer because of it. 1
4The reward for humility and fear of Yahweh 1 is riches, honor, and life. 1
5Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse; 1 whoever guards his life will keep far from them. 1
6Teach a child the way he should go 1 and when he is old he will not turn away from that instruction. 1
7Rich people rule over poor people 1 and one who borrows is a slave to the one who lends. 1
8He who sows injustice will reap trouble 1 and the rod of his fury will fade away. 1
9The one who has a generous eye will be blessed, 1 for he shares his bread with the poor. 1
10Drive away the mocker, and out goes strife; 1 disputes and insults will cease. 1
11The one who loves a pure heart 1 and whose speech is gracious, 1 he will have the king for his friend. 1
12The eyes of Yahweh keep watch over knowledge, 1 but he overthrows the words of the treacherous. 1
13The lazy person says, “There is a lion in the street! 1 I will be killed in the open places.” 1
14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; 1 Yahweh's anger is stirred up against anyone who falls into it. 1
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, 1 but the rod of discipline drives it far away. 1
16The one who oppresses poor people to increase his wealth, 1 or gives to rich people, will come to poverty. 1
17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise 1 and apply your heart to my knowledge, 1
18for it will be pleasant for you if you keep them within you, 1 if all of them are ready on your lips. 1
19So your trust may be in Yahweh, 1 I teach them to you today—even to you. 1
20Have I not written for you thirty sayings 1 of instruction and knowledge, 1
21to teach you truth in these trustworthy words, 1 so you may give trustworthy answers to those who sent you? 1
22Do not rob the poor because he is poor, 1 or crush the needy at the gate, 1
23for Yahweh will plead their case, 1 and he will rob of life those who robbed them. 1
24Do not make a friend of someone who is ruled by anger 1 and you must not go with one who rages, 1
25or you will learn his ways 1 and you will take bait for your soul. 1
26Do not be one who strikes hands in making a pledge, 1 or who puts up security for debts. 1
27If you lack the means to pay, 1 what could stop someone from taking away your bed from under you? 1
28Do not remove the ancient boundary stone 1 that your fathers have set. 1
29Do you see a man skilled at his work? He will stand before kings; 1 he will not stand before common people.