Proverbs 22

A good name is better than riches

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.a ²The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.b ³A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.c

⁴True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.d ⁵Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it. ⁶Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.e

⁷Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. ⁸Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.f ⁹Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.g

¹⁰Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear. ¹¹Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend. ¹²The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

¹³The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” ¹⁴The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.h ¹⁵A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.i

¹⁶A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

The sayings of the wise

¹⁷Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. ¹⁸For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. ¹⁹I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the Lord.

²⁰I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. ²¹In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you. ²²Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.

²³For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.j ²⁴Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,k ²⁵or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.l

²⁶Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. ²⁷If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you. ²⁸Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.

²⁹Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.m