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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.

The rich and the poor are alike before the Lord who made them all.

A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

True humility and respect for the Lord lead a man to riches, honor, and long life.

The rebel walks a thorny, treacherous road; the man who values his soul will stay away.

Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older, he will remain upon it.

Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

The unjust tyrant will reap disaster, and his reign of terror shall end.

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

  1. Proverbs 22:12 the plans, literally, “the words.”
  2. Proverbs 22:28 That is stealing, implied, see 23:10-11.

22 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.(A)

Rich and poor have this in common:
    The Lord is the Maker of them all.(B)

The prudent see danger and take refuge,(C)
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.(D)

Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor(E) and life.(F)

In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,(G)
    but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

Start(H) children off on the way they should go,(I)
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it.(J)

The rich rule over the poor,
    and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,(K)
    and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.(L)

The generous will themselves be blessed,(M)
    for they share their food with the poor.(N)

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.(O)

11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.(P)

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!(Q)
    I’ll be killed in the public square!”

14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;(R)
    a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.(S)

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.(T)

16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
    and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Pay attention(U) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;(V)
    apply your heart to what I teach,(W)
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,(X)
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poor(Y) because they are poor
    and do not crush the needy in court,(Z)
23 for the Lord will take up their case(AA)
    and will exact life for life.(AB)

Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
    do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways
    and get yourself ensnared.(AC)

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge(AD)
    or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay,
    your very bed will be snatched from under you.(AE)

Saying 5

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone(AF)
    set up by your ancestors.

Saying 6

29 Do you see someone skilled(AG) in their work?
    They will serve(AH) before kings;(AI)
    they will not serve before officials of low rank.