22:1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. |
22:2 The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. |
22:3 A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering]. |
22:4 The reward of humility {and} the reverent {and} worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. |
22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate {and} willful; he who guards himself will be far from them. |
22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. |
22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. |
22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap calamity {and} futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail. |
22:9 He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. |
22:10 Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease. |
22:11 He who loves purity {and} the pure in heart {and} who is gracious in speech--because of the grace of his lips will he have the king for his friend. |
22:12 The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge {and} him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous. |
22:13 The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets! |
22:14 The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant {and} who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it. |
22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. |
22:16 He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself {and} he who gives to the rich--both will surely come to want. |
22:17 Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; |
22:18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them. |
22:19 So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you. |
22:20 Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge, |
22:21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? |
22:22 Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held], |
22:23 For the Lord will plead their cause and deprive of life those who deprive [the poor or afflicted]. |
22:24 Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate, |
22:25 Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare. |
22:26 Be not one of those who strike hands {and} pledge themselves, or of those who become security for another's debts. |
22:27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you? |
22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set up. |
22:29 Do you see a man diligent {and} skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. |