Proverbs 22

1Agoodname is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favor rather than silver and gold.

1A good reputation is more valuable than great wealth, and being well-liked is better than silver or gold.

2The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah 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 simple pass on, and suffer for it.

3A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the thoughtless keep going and pay the penalty.

4The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah Isriches, and honor, and life.

4True wealth, honor, and life are the rewards for humility and fearing the LORD.

5Thornsandsnares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.

5Thorns and traps lie in the path of the wicked, but those who value their lives stay 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.

6Teach a child the right path to take, and even when they are old, they will not leave it.

7The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender.

7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a servant to the lender.

8He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail.

8Whoever sows injustice will reap trouble, and their power to strike others in anger will be destroyed.

9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor.

9A generous person will be blessed because they share their food with the poor.

10Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.

10Get rid of the mocker and the argument goes with him; even fighting and insults will stop.

11He that loveth pureness of heart, Forthe grace of his lips the king will be his friend.

11Whoever loves a pure heart and speaks with grace will have the king as a friend.

12The eyes of Jehovah preservehim that hathknowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.

12The LORD watches over those with knowledge, but he frustrates the plans of the treacherous.

13The sluggard saith, There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.

13The lazy person 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 Jehovah shall fall therein.

14The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; those who are under the LORD's anger will fall into it.

15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; Butthe rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

15Foolishness is stuck in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain, Andhe that giveth to the rich, shall come only to want.

16Whoever gains wealth by hurting the poor or gives gifts to the rich will end up in poverty.

17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

17Listen closely and hear the words of the wise; apply your heart to my teaching.

18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips.

18It will be wonderful if you keep these truths deep inside you, so they are always ready on your lips.

19That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have madethemknown to thee this day, even to thee.

19I am teaching you these things today so that your trust will be in the LORD.

20Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,

20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, full of good advice and knowledge?

21To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?

21I am teaching you what is true and reliable, so you can give an accurate report to those who sent you.

22Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

22Do not rob the poor because they are poor, and do not cheat the needy in court.

23For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.

23For the LORD will take up their case and will rob the life of those who rob them.

24Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:

24Do not make friends with a person who has a hot temper, and do not associate with someone who is easily angered.

25Lest thou learn his ways, And get a snare to thy soul.

25Otherwise, you might learn their habits and get yourself trapped.

26Be thou not one of them that strike hands, Orof them that are sureties for debts.

26Do not be one of those who guarantees a loan or puts up security for someone else's debts.

27If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

27If you don't have the money to pay it back, why should your bed be taken from under you?

28Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set.

28Do not move an ancient boundary marker that was set up by your ancestors.

29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.

29Do you see a person who is skilled in their work? They will serve before kings rather than working for ordinary people.