Proverbs 22 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. (Ec 7:1) 2 The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. (Job 31:15; Pr 14:31; Pr 29:13) 3 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. (Pr 14:16; Pr 27:12) 4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.^[1] (Pr 21:20) 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. (Pr 15:19; Pr 21:23; 1Jo 5:18) 6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Eph 6:4; 2Ti 3:15) 7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. (Jas 2:6) 8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. (Job 4:8; Isa 14:6; Isa 30:31; Ho 10:13)

Job 4:8Isa 14:6Isa 30:31Ho 10:13

9 Whoever has a bountiful^[2] eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. (Pr 19:17; Lu 14:13; 2Co 9:6) 10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease. (Ge 21:9; Pr 26:20) 11 He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. (Ps 101:6; Pr 14:35; Pr 16:13; Ec 10:12)

Ps 101:6Pr 14:35Pr 16:13Ec 10:12

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor. (Pr 11:3; Pr 21:12) 13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!” (Pr 26:13) 14 The mouth of forbidden^[3] women is a deep pit; he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it. (Pr 2:16; Pr 23:27; Ec 7:26) 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. (Pr 13:24) 16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. (Pr 28:22)

Words of the Wise

17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, (Pr 1:6; Pr 5:1; Pr 23:12; Pr 24:23)

Pr 1:6Pr 5:1Pr 23:12Pr 24:23

18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. 19 That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you. 20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, (Pr 8:6) 21 to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? (Lu 1:3) 22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, (Ex 23:6; Job 5:4; Job 31:21; Zec 7:10; Mal 3:5)

Ex 23:6Job 5:4Job 31:21Zec 7:10Mal 3:5

23 for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them. (1Sa 25:39; Ps 12:5; Ps 35:10; Ps 68:5; Ps 140:12; Pr 23:11; Jer 51:36)

1Sa 25:39Ps 12:5Ps 35:10Ps 68:5Ps 140:12Pr 23:11Jer 51:36

24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, 25 lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 26 Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. (Job 17:3) 27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you? (Ex 22:26; Pr 20:16) 28 Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set. (De 19:14; De 27:17; Job 24:2; Pr 23:10; Ho 5:10)

De 19:14De 27:17Job 24:2Pr 23:10Ho 5:10

29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. (Ge 41:46; 1Ki 10:8)

New International Version

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. 2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. 3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. 4 Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honour and life. 5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. 6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. 8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. 9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. 10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. 11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. 12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 13 The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!’ 14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it. 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. 16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich – both come to poverty.

Saying 1

17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. 20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?

Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.

Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. 28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.

Saying 5 Saying 6

29 Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.