Proverbs 22
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
World English 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, and loving 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 the maker of them all.
3A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.
3A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD, even riches, and honour, and life.
4The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, 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 are in the path of the wicked; whoever 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. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his wrath shall fail.
8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, 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.
9He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10Cast out the scorner, and contention will go out; yea, strife and shame will cease.
10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11He that loveth pureness of heart, that hath grace in his lips, the king shall be his friend.
11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12The eyes of the LORD preserve him that hath knowledge, but He overthroweth the words of the faithless man.
12The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.'
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed 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 LORD’s wrath 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.
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; 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.
16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; let them be established altogether upon thy lips.
18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
19I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.
20Have not I written unto thee excellent things of counsels and knowledge;
20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of 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 teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22Rob not the weak, because he is weak, neither crush the poor in the gate;
22Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23For the LORD will plead their cause, and despoil of life those that despoil them.
23for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; and with a wrathful man thou shalt not go;
24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,
25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
25lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
26Be thou not of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts;
26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
27If thou hast not wherewith to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
27If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
28Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.
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 serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
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