Proverbs - Chapter 22

1A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold. 2The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all. 3The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble. 4The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life. 5Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them. 6If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it. 7The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor. 8By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken. 9He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor. 10Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end. 11He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend. 12The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned. 13The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets. 14The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it. 15Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him. 16He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need. 17Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge. 18For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips. 19So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you. 20Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge, 21To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you? 22Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge: 23For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods. 24Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man: 25For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul. 26Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts: 27If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you. 28Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place. 29Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.