Proverbs 22

A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Choosing a respected reputation is more valuable than immense wealth, and earning love and kindness is worth more than any amount of silver or gold.

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

Regardless of wealth or poverty, we all stand equal, for it is God who created us all.

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

A wise person senses danger and takes refuge, but the naive continue on, only to suffer the consequences.

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

With a humble heart and respect for God, comes wealth, respect, and a fulfilling life.

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

Those who choose a crooked path will encounter hardships and traps. But if you guard your spirit, you'll stay clear of them.

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

Guide a child on the right path from the start; as they grow older, they'll always remember and follow it.

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

Wealth often controls poverty, and those in debt are at the mercy of their creditors.

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

Those who spread wrongdoings will harvest emptiness; their anger's weapon will crumble.

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

Those with generous hearts are blessed, for they share their food with the needy.

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

Remove the mocker, and you'll get rid of tension and conflict; indeed, arguments and insults will stop.

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

If you truly love honesty and speak kindly, you'll win the friendship of those in high places.

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

God's gaze safeguards wisdom, and He topples the deceitful words of wrongdoers.

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

The lazy man cries, "There's a lion outside, it will kill me in the streets!"

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

The seductive words of an adulterous woman are a deep pit; the one the Lord is angry with will fall right into it.

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

Foolishness is tied up tight in a child's heart, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

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

Those who exploit the needy to grow their wealth, and those who favor the rich, will undoubtedly face scarcity.

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

Listen closely, hear the words of the wise, and let your heart absorb my knowledge.

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

It feels good to keep these words in your heart; they'll naturally flow from your lips.

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

So you may place your faith in the Lord, I've revealed this to you today, just for you.

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

Haven't I shared with you profound wisdom and knowledge in my writings?

That 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?

I want you to fully grasp the unwavering truth in these words, so you can confidently share this truth with those who seek it from you.

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

Don't steal from the poor just because they're vulnerable. Don't take advantage of those who are suffering.

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

The Lord will passionately defend those who are wronged, and He will plunder the lives of those who robbed them.

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

Avoid befriending those who are constantly angry; don't accompany those who are easily enraged.

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

Avoid learning his ways, or you might trap your own soul.

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

Don't be someone who hastily makes promises or guarantees others' debts.

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

If you can't afford it, why should anyone snatch your only comfort, your bed, from you?

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

Don't move the old boundary stones your ancestors set in place.

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

Do you see a man who works hard and is skilled at his job? He will serve before kings; he won't serve people of no account.