Home Master Index
←Prev   Proverbs 22 as rendered by/in  Next→ 


22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
22:2  The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.
22:3  A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering].
22:4  The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
22:5  Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them.
22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.
22:7  The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
22:8  He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail.
22:9  He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
22:10  Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease.
22:11  He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech—because of the grace of his lips will he have the king for his friend.
22:12  The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous.
22:13  The sluggard says, There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!
22:14  The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit [for ensnaring wild animals]; he with whom the Lord is indignant and who is abhorrent to Him will fall into it.
22:15  Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.
22:16  He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself and he who gives to the rich—both will surely come to want.
22:17  Listen (consent and submit) to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge;
22:18  For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.
22:19  So that your trust (belief, reliance, support, and confidence) may be in the Lord, I have made known these things to you today, even to you.
22:20  Have I not written to you [long ago] excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
22:21  To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?
22:22  Rob not the poor [being tempted by their helplessness], neither oppress the afflicted at the gate [where the city court is held],
22:23  For the Lord will plead their cause and deprive of life those who deprive [the poor or afflicted].
22:24  Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate,
22:25  Lest you learn his ways and get yourself into a snare.
22:26  Be not one of those who strike hands and pledge themselves, or of those who become security for another’s debts.
22:27  If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you?
22:28  Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set up.
22:29  Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.