Proverbs 22

1A name is chosen rather than much wealth, || Than silver and than gold—good grace.

2Rich and poor have met together, || YHWH [is] the Maker of them all.

3The prudent has seen the evil, and is hidden, || And the simple have passed on, and are punished.

4The end of humility [is] the fear of YHWH, riches, and honor, and life.

5Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the perverse, || Whoever is keeping his soul is far from them.

6Give instruction to a youth about his way, || Even when he is old he does not turn from it.

7The rich rules over the poor, || And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.

8Whoever is sowing perverseness reaps sorrow, || And the rod of his anger wears out.

9The good of eye—he is blessed, || For he has given of his bread to the poor.

10Cast out a scorner—and contention goes out, || And strife and shame cease.

11Whoever is loving cleanness of heart, || His lips [are] grace, || A king [is] his friend.

12The eyes of YHWH have kept knowledge, || And He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

13The slothful has said, “A lion [is] outside, || I am slain in the midst of the broad places.”

14The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit, || The abhorred of YHWH falls there.

15Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, || The rod of discipline puts it far from him.

16He [who] is oppressing the poor to multiply his [riches], || Is giving to the rich—only to want.

17Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise, || And set your heart to my knowledge,

18For they are pleasant when you keep them in your heart, || They are prepared together for your lips.

19That your trust may be in YHWH, || I caused you to know today, even you.

20Have I not written to you three times || With counsels and knowledge?

21To cause you to know the certainty of sayings of truth, || To return sayings of truth to those sending you.

22Do not rob the poor because he [is] poor, || And do not bruise the afflicted in the gate.

23For YHWH pleads their cause, || And has spoiled the soul of their spoilers.

24Do not show yourself friendly with an angry man, || And do not go in with a man of fury,

25Lest you learn his paths, || And have received a snare to your soul.

26Do not be among those striking hands, || Among sureties [for] burdens.

27If you have nothing to pay, || Why does he take your bed from under you?

28Do not remove a border of ancient times, || That your fathers have made.

29Have you seen a man speedy in his business? He stations himself before kings, || He does not station himself before obscure men!