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.