Proverbs 22
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
Berean Standard Bible
1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
1A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor meet together — the LORD is the maker of them all.
2The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
3A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.
3The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
4The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD, even riches, and honour, and life.
4The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward; he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.
5Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his wrath shall fail.
8He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
9A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
10Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out; yea, strife and shame will cease.
10Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
11He that loveth pureness of heart, that hath grace in his lips, the king shall be his friend.
11He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
12The eyes of the LORD preserve him that hath knowledge, but He overthroweth the words of the faithless man.
12The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
13The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.'
13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16One may oppress the poor, yet will their gain increase; one may give to the rich, yet will want come.
16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; let them be established altogether upon thy lips.
18for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.
19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
19So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.
20Have not I written unto thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge;
20Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest bring back words of truth to them that send thee?
21to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
22Rob not the weak, because he is weak, neither crush the poor in the gate;
22Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
23For the LORD will plead their cause, and despoil of life those that despoil them.
23for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
24Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; and with a wrathful man thou shalt not go;
24Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
25or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
26Be thou not of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts;
26Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
27If thou hast not wherewith to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
27If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?
28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
28Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
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