Proverbs 22

A Good Name

1 A good name worth more than riches; favor better than silver and gold.

2 Rich and poor meet together, the Lord made them both.

3 The wise see danger and dip; the simple keep walking and pay for it.

4 Humility and the fear of the Lord bring riches, honor, and life.

5 Thorns and traps line the path of the crooked, but whoever guards his soul stays far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he grows, he will not stray.

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

8 Whoever plants evil reaps trouble; his anger brings him down.

9 A generous man gets blessed, because he shares his food with the poor.

10 Kick out the mocker and the drama leaves; quarrels and insults die down.

11 He who loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as his friend.

12 The Lord keeps watch over knowledge, but He throws down the words of traitors.

13 The lazy say, “There is a lion outside! I might get killed in the streets!”

14 The mouth of an immoral woman a deep pit; whoever angers the Lord falls in.

15 Foolishness tied up in a child’s heart, but discipline drives it out.

16 Whoever cheats the poor to get rich or gives to the rich ends up broke.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

17 Listen up and hear the words of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach.

18 It will be pleasant if you keep them inside you and have them ready on your lips.

19 I am teaching you today so your trust can stay in the Lord.

20 Did I not write you thirty sayings full of advice and knowledge,

21 To show you true and reliable words, so you can give honest answers to those who ask.

22 Do not rob the poor because they poor, or crush the needy in court.

23 The Lord will take up their case and wreck those who rob them.

24 Do not hang with hot-tempered folks or roll with easily angered people.

25 Or you will learn their ways and get trapped yourself.

26 Do not be one of those who shake hands in debt or guarantee for others.

27 If you cannot pay, your bed might get repossessed.

28 Do not move the old boundary markers your ancestors set.

29 See a man skilled in his work, He will stand before kings, not low-level men.