Proverbs22

World English Bible · Public Domain

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¹A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

²The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.

³A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

⁴The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life.

⁵Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays 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 rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

⁸He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

⁹He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

¹⁰Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

¹¹He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

¹²Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

¹³The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”

¹⁴The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it.

¹⁵Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

¹⁶Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

¹⁷Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.

¹⁸For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

¹⁹I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in Yahweh.

²⁰Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,

²¹To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

²²Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;

²³for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

²⁴Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,

²⁵lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.

²⁶Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.

²⁷If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

²⁸Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.

²⁹Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 22.

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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

nameH8034Hebrew

שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

chosenH977Hebrew

בָּחַר: properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select

greatH7227Hebrew

רַב: abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

richesH6239Hebrew

עֹשֶׁר: wealth

favorH2580Hebrew

חֵן: graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

betterH2896Hebrew

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)

silverH3701Hebrew

כֶּסֶף: silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

goldH2091Hebrew

זָהָב: gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky

richH6223Hebrew

עָשִׁיר: rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)

poorH7326Hebrew

רוּשׁ: to be destitute