Proverbs Chapter 22
From The Open Bible Project
22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
- (a) Which comes by well doing.
22:2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.
- (b) Live together, and have need the one of the other.
22:3 A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
- (c) That is, the punishment, which is prepared for the wicked and flees to God for help.
22:4 The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life.
22:5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.
22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- (d) Bring him up virtuously and he will continue so.
22:7 The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
22:8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
- (e) His authority by which he oppressed others, will be taken from him.
22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.
- (f) He that is merciful and liberal.
22:10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
22:11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king's friend.
- (g) He shows that princes should use their familiarity, whose conscience is good, and their talk wise and godly.
22:12 The eyes of Yahweh watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
- (h) Favour them that love knowledge.
22:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!"
- (i) He derides them that invent vain excuses, because they would not do their duty.
22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit: he who is under Yahweh's wrath will fall into it.
- (k) So God punishes one sin by another, when he suffers the wicked to fall into the acquaintance of a harlot.
22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
- (l) He is naturally given to it.
22:16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
22:17 Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
22:18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
22:19 That your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach you today, even you.
- (m) He shows what the end of wisdom is: that is, to direct us to the Lord.
22:20 Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
- (n) That is, various times.
22:21 To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22:22 Don't exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don't crush the needy in court;
22:23 for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
22:24 Don't befriend a hot-tempered man, and don't associate with one who harbors anger:
- (o) Have nothing to do with him that is not able to rule his affections: for he would hurt you by his evil conversation.
22:25 lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.
22:26 Don't you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
- (p) Who rashly put themselves in danger for others, as in (Proverbs 6:2).
22:27 If you don't have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
22:28 Don't move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up.
22:29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won't serve obscure men.
