Proverbs 22

A Good Name

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD [is] the maker of all. 3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences. 4 The rewards of humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] wealth and honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares [lie] on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays 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 rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. 8 He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9 A generous [man] will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. 10 Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease. 11 He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips [will have] the king for a friend. 12 The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless. 13 The sluggard says, “ [There is] a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!” 14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is cursed by the LORD 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 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself , or giving gifts to the rich, [will] surely lead to poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the WiseSaying 1

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge— 18 for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have instructed you today, even you. 20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge, 21 to show you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to those who sent you?

Saying 2

22 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, 23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.

Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, 25 or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

Saying 5

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set.

Saying 6

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.