Proverbs 22

1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.footnote a

2The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

4By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.footnote b

5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.footnote cfootnote d

7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.footnote e

8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.footnote f

9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.footnote g

10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

11He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.footnote h

12The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.footnote i

13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.footnote j

19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.footnote k

20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?footnote l

22Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.

27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.footnote m

29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.footnote n

A Good Name

1A good name is more desirable than great riches;favor is better than silver and gold.

2The rich and the poor have this in common:The LORD is Maker of them all.

3The prudent see danger and take cover,but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

4The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORDare wealth and honor and life.

5Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse;he who guards his soul stays far from them.

6Train up a child in the way he should go,and when he is old he will not depart from it.

7The rich rule over the poor,and the borrower is slave to the lender.

8He who sows injustice will reap disaster,and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.footnote a

9A generous manfootnote bwill be blessed,for he shares his bread with the poor.

10Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart;even quarreling and insults will cease.

11He who loves a pure heart and gracious lipswill have the king for a friend.

12The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge,but He frustrates the words of the faithless.

13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside!I will be slain in the streets!”

14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.

15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child,but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the richwill surely lead to poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge— 18for it is pleasing when you keep them within youand they are constantly on your lips. 19So that your trust may be in the LORD,I instruct you today—yes, you. 20Have I not written for you thirty sayingsfootnote cabout counsel and knowledge, 21to show you true and reliable words,that you may soundly answer those who sent you?

Saying 2

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

Saying 3

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

Saying 4

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

Saying 5

28Do not move an ancient boundary stonewhich your fathers have placed.

Saying 6

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