Proverbs22
King James Version · Public Domain
1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.
15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21That 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?
22Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 22.
v1
We should be more careful to do that by which we may get and keep a good name, than to raise or add unto a great estate.
v2
Divine Providence has so ordered it, that some are rich, and others poor, but all are guilty before God; and at the throne of God's grace the poor are as welcome as the rich.
v3
Faith foresees the evil coming upon sinners, and looks to Jesus Christ as the sure refuge from the storm.
Key Words
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בָּחַר: properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
רַב: abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
עֹשֶׁר: wealth
חֵן: graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
טוֹב: good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
כֶּסֶף: silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
זָהָב: gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
עָשִׁיר: rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
רוּשׁ: to be destitute
Cross References
Proverbs 22Both verses state that a good name is better than precious ointment or riches.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicit Mosaic prohibition against removing an ancient landmark set by fathers.
Supported by JFB
Exhortation to enter chambers and hide until indignation is past, parallel to the prudent man.
Supported by Matthew Poole
New Testament statement of the sowing and reaping principle for unrighteousness.
Supported by JFB
Pronounces a curse on anyone who removes their neighbor's landmark.
Supported by JFB
Godliness holds promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel description of the slothful man claiming there is a lion in the way.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the warning against removing old landmarks and entering fields of the fatherless.
Supported by JFB
Law concerning taking a neighbor's raiment/bed as pledge, matching verse 27's warning.
Supported by JFB
Oppressing the poor reproaches their Maker, who is Maker of both rich and poor.
Supported by JFB
God dwells with those of a humble spirit, matching the reward of humility.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Supported by Matthew Poole
He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul, avoiding traps.
Supported by JFB
Detailed warning against striking hands and becoming surety for a stranger.
Supported by JFB
A strange woman is described as a narrow pit and deep ditch.
Supported by JFB