Proverbs 22

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

2 The rich and the poor meet one another, and the Lord made them both.

3 A shrewd person sees an evil person severely punished and accepts instruction, but fools pass by and are punished.

4 The offspring of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, along with wealth, glory, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are on crooked roads, but whoever guards his own soul will stay away from them.

7 The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.

8 Whoever sows worthless things will reap evils and bring the blow from his works to completion. God blesses a cheerful and generous man, but he will bring the futility of his works to an end.

9 Whoever shows mercy to a poor person will himself be fed, because he gave some of his own bread to the poor. Whoever gives gifts secures victory and honor, but he takes away the soul of those who possess them.

10 Cast a pestilent person out of the council, and strife will leave with him, for whenever he sits in council, he dishonors everyone.

11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and everyone blameless is acceptable to him. A king shepherds with his lips.

12 The Lord’s eyes preserve perception, but a lawbreaker despises words.

13 A lazy person makes excuses and says, “There is a lion on the roads and murderers in the streets.”

14 The mouth of a lawbreaker is a deep pit, and whoever is hated by the Lord will fall into it. Evil ways lie before a person, and he does not want to turn from them, but one must turn away from a crooked and evil road.

15 Folly is fastened to a child’s heart, but the rod and discipline are far from him.

16 Whoever oppresses a poor person increases his own possessions, yet he gives to a rich person for less.

17 “Incline your ear to the words of the wise, listen to my word, and apply your heart so that you may know they are good.

18 If you put them in your heart, they will also gladden you on your lips,

19 so that your hope may be in the Lord and he may make his way known to you.

20 Write them down for yourself three times as counsel and knowledge on the breadth of your heart.

21 I therefore teach you a true word and good knowledge to hear, so that you may answer with truthful words those who question you.

22 Do not use force against a poor person because he is needy, and do not dishonor the weak at the gates.

23 For the Lord will judge his case, and you will rescue your soul to safety.

24 Do not be the companion of an angry person, and do not lodge with a hot-tempered friend,

25 or you may learn his ways and take snares into your soul.

26 Do not give yourself as a pledge out of respect for someone’s status.

27 For if you have no means to repay, they will take the bed from beneath your ribs.

28 Do not move the ancient boundary stones that your fathers set in place.

29 An observant person who is sharp in his work should stand before kings, not before sluggish people.”