Proverbs 22 · Clearspring

A Good Name

¹A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favour is better than silver and gold.+ ²The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD 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 the LORD is wealth, honour, and life.+ ⁵Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays 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.+ ¹²The LORD’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 the LORD’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.+

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

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 the LORD.+ 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?+

Saying 2

²²Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;+ ²³for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.+

Saying 3

²⁴Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbours anger,+ ²⁵lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.+

Saying 4

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?+

Saying 5

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

Saying 6

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