Proverbs 22:1-23 ▼

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches, and high esteem, than gold and silver.

2 Rich and poor have a common bond: the LORD is the maker of them all.

3 The astute see an evil and hide, while the naive continue on and pay the penalty.

4 The result of humility and fear of the LORD is riches, honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are on the path of the crooked; those who would safeguard their lives will avoid them.

6 Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.

7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

8 Those who sow iniquity reap calamity, and the rod used in anger will fail.

9 The generous will be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

10 Expel the arrogant and discord goes too; strife and insult cease.

11 The LORD loves the pure of heart; the person of winning speech has a king for a friend.

12 The eyes of the LORD watch over the knowledgeable, but he defeats the projects of the faithless.

13 The sluggard says, “A lion is outside; I might be slain in the street.”

14 The mouth of the foreign woman is a deep pit; whoever incurs the LORD’s anger will fall into it.

15 Folly is bound to the heart of a youth, but the rod of discipline will drive it out.

16 Oppressing the poor for enrichment, giving to the rich: both are sheer loss.

17 The Words of the Wise: Incline your ear, and hear my words, and let your mind attend to my teaching;

18 For it will be well if you hold them within you, if they all are ready on your lips.

19 That your trust may be in the LORD, I make them known to you today—yes, to you.

20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings, containing counsels and knowledge,

21 To teach you truly how to give a dependable report to one who sends you?

22 Do not rob the poor because they are poor, nor crush the needy at the gate;

23 For the LORD will defend their cause, and will plunder those who plunder them.