Proverbs 22:1-21 ▼

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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