22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth,
good favor more than silver or gold.
22:2 The rich and the poor meet together;
the Lord is the creator of them both.
22:3 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself,
but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.
22:4 The reward for humility and fearing the Lord
is riches and honor and life.
22:5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse,
but the one who guards himself keeps far from them.
22:6 Train a child in the way that he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
22:7 The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
22:8 The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble,
and the rod of his fury will end.
22:9 A generous person will be blessed,
for he gives some of his food to the poor.
22:10 Drive out the scorner and contention will leave;
strife and insults will cease.
22:11 The one who loves a pure heart
and whose speech is gracious – the king will be his friend.
22:12 The eyes of the Lord guard knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the faithless person.
22:13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be killed in the middle of the streets!”
22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit;
the one against whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.
22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
22:16 The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain
and the one who gives to the rich – both end up only in poverty.
22:17 Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my instruction.
22:18 For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you,
and they are ready on your lips.
22:19 So that your confidence may be in the Lord,
I am making them known to you today – even you.
22:20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
sayings of counsel and knowledge,
22:21 to show you true and reliable words,
so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you?
22:22 Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor
and do not crush the needy in court,
22:23 for the Lord will plead their case
and will rob those who are robbing them.
22:24 Do not make friends with an angry person,
and do not associate with a wrathful person,
22:25 lest you learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.
22:26 Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge
or who puts up security for debts.
22:27 If you do not have enough to pay,
your bed will be taken right out from under you!
22:28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
which was put in place by your ancestors.
22:29 Do you see a person skilled in his work?
He will take his position before kings;
he will not take his position before obscure people.