Proverbs 22

1A name is preferable to great riches, and good favor is better than silver and gold.

2Rich and poor meet; Yahweh makes them all.

3A prudent person sees calamity and hides himself, but the simple pass through and are punished.

4The reward of humility and fear of Yahweh is riches, honor, and life.

5Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.

6Train a child according to his way, and even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it.

7The rich rule the poor, and the borrower is the lender's servant.

8Whoever sows injustice reaps evil, and the rod of his wrath will fail.

9He with a good eye will be blessed, for he gives his bread to the poor.

10Drive the scoffer away, and contention will depart; quarrels and shame will cease.

11The one who loves purity of heart is the king's friend for the grace of his lips.

12The eyes of Yahweh guard knowledge, but he subverts the words of the treacherous.

13The sluggard says, "A lion outside! I will be slain in the midst of the streets!"

14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; one abhorred by Yahweh falls there.

15Folly is bound in a child's heart; a rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

16Whoever defrauds the poor to multiply his gain and whoever gives to the rich surely comes to lack.

17Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise, and set your heart to my knowledge.

18For it is pleasant when you keep them deep within you, since they will all be established together on your lips.

19I have made known to you today, even you, that your confidence may be in Yahweh.

20Haven't I prescribed to you threefold excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21to make you know the reliability of words of truth, to answer with words of truth those who send you.

22Do not rob the poor because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate.

23For Yahweh will argue their case and rob the life of their robbers.

24Do not associate with an angry man, and do not go with a furious man.

25lest you learn his ways and take a snare for your soul.

26Do not be among those who strike hands, among those who pledge debts.

27If you have nothing to repay, why should he take your bed from beneath you?

28Do not remove the ancient boundary that your fathers set.

29Do you see a man quick in his craft? He stands before kings; he does not stand before obscure men.