Proverbs 22:1

A good name ¹  is to be chosen ²  rather than great wealth, good favor ³  more than silver or gold.

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold.

A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

A good name ¹  is to be chosen ²  rather than great wealth, good favor ³  more than silver or gold.

¹ tn Heb “a name.” The idea of the name being “good” is implied; it has the connotation here of a reputation (cf. TEV, CEV, NLT).

² tn “To be chosen rather than” is a translation of the Niphal participle with the comparative degree taken into consideration. Cf. CEV “worth much more than.”

³ tn Heb “favor of goodness.” This is a somewhat difficult expression. Some English versions render the phrase “favor is better than silver or gold” (so NASB, NRSV) making it parallel to the first colon. But if “good” is retained as an attributive modifier, then it would mean one was well thought of, or one had engaging qualities (cf. ASV “loving favor; NLT “high esteem”). This fits with the idea of the reputation in the first colon, for a good name would bring with it the favor of others.