Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22 (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 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
       but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

 ⁴ Humility and the fear of the LORD
       bring wealth and honor and life.

 ⁵ In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
       but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

 ⁶ Train ^[a] a child in the way he should go,
       and when he is old he will not turn from it.

 ⁷ The rich rule over the poor,
       and the borrower is servant to the lender.

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

 ⁹ A generous man will himself be blessed,
       for he shares his food with the poor.

 ¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
       quarrels and insults are ended.

 ¹¹ He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
       will have the king for his friend.

 ¹² The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
       but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

 ¹³ The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!"
       or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

 ¹⁴ The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
       he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

 ¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
       but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

 ¹⁶ He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
       and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

 ¹⁷ Pay attention and listen 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 ^[b] sayings for you,
       sayings of counsel and knowledge,

 ²¹ teaching you true and reliable words,
       so that you can give sound answers
       to him who sent you?

 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 plunder those who plunder them.

 ²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
       do not associate with one easily angered,

 ²⁵ or you may learn his ways
       and get yourself ensnared.

 ²⁶ Do not be a man who strikes 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 forefathers.

 ²⁹ Do you see a man skilled in his work?
       He will serve before kings;
       he will not serve before obscure men.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 22:6 Or Start
2. Proverbs 22:20 Or not formerly written ; or not written excellent