Proverbs 22

¹ A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches; Grace is better than silver and gold. ² The rich man and the destitute one encounter in this: Yahweh is the Maker of them all. ³ A prudent man sees peril and conceals himself, Yet the simple pass along and are mulcted. ⁴ The consequence of humility is fear of Yahweh, Riches and glory and life. ⁵ Pricking thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse man; He who guards his soul shall keep far from them. ⁶ Train up a youth corresponding to his proper way; Even when he is old he shall not withdraw from it. ⁷ The rich man rules over the destitute, And the borrower is servant to the man from whom he borrows. ⁸ He who sows iniquity shall reap sorrow, And the club of his rage shall fail. ⁹ He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. ¹⁰ Drive out the mocker, and quarreling shall go forth, And suing and dishonor shall cease. ¹¹ He who loves a clean heart, on whose lips is grace, The king shall be his associate. ¹² The eyes of Yahweh preserve knowledge, Yet He overthrows the words of the treacherous one. ¹³ The slothful man says: There is a lion outdoors; I shall be murdered in the middle of the square. ¹⁴ The mouth of the strange woman is a deep pit; He with whom Yahweh is indignant shall fall thereinto. ¹⁵ Folly is tied to the heart of a youth; The club of discipline shall put it far from him. ¹⁶ He who extorts from the poor to increase his gain And he who gives to the rich will surely come to want. ¹⁷ Stretch out your ear and hear the words of the wise, And let your heart be set on my knowledge. ¹⁸ For it will be pleasant when you keep them in your inner being, When they are established together on your lips. ¹⁹ That your trust may come to be in Yahweh, I make them known to you today, indeed you. ²⁰ Have I not written for you threefold With counsels and knowledge, ²¹ To cause you to know verity, words of truth, To reply with sayings, truth for those sending you? ²² Do not pillage the poor, for he is poor, And do not crush the humble one in the gate. ²³ For Yahweh Himself shall contend their contention, And He will defraud their defrauders of their soul. ²⁴ Do not associate with an angry person, And do not set out with a furious man. ²⁵ Lest you should become trained in his paths, And you get into a trap for your soul. ²⁶ Do not be among those who clasp the palm in pledge, Among those who are surety for loans; ²⁷ If you have nothing to make a repayment, Why have your bed taken from under you? ²⁸ Do not move away the eonian boundary marker Which your fathers have made. ²⁹ Do you perceive a man who is expert in his work? He shall station himself before kings; By no means shall he station himself before obscure men.