Proverbs 22
1 A fair name is better than much
wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor meet together;
but the Lord made them both. 3 An
intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but
fools pass by and are punished. 4 The
fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
5 Thistles and snares are in perverse
ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
7 The rich will rule over the poor,
and servants will lend to their own masters.
8 He that sows wickedness shall reap
troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds.
8a aSee 2 Cor. 9. 7. Compare Heb.God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but
a man shall fully prove the folly of his works.
9 He that has pity on the poor shall
himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor.
9a He that gives liberally secures
victory and honour; but he takes away the life of them that possess
them.
10 Cast out a pestilent person from
the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council
he dishonours all.
11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and
all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve
discretion; but the transgressor despises wise words.
13 The sluggard makes excuses, and
says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in
the streets. 14 The mouth of a
transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into
it. 14a Evil ways are before a man,
and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside
from a perverse and bad way. 15 Folly
is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are
then far from him.
16 He that oppresses the poor,
increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
17 Incline thine ear to the words of
wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,
18 that thou mayest know that they
are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy
lips. 19 That thy hope may be in the
Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.
20 And do thou too repeatedly record
them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.
21 I therefore teach thee truth, and
knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that
bSee 1 Pet. 3. 15.question thee.
22 Do no violence to the poor, for he
is needy: neither dishonour the helpless man in the
gates. 23 For the Lord will plead his
cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.
24 Be not companion to a furious man;
neither lodge with a passionate man:
25 lest thou learn of his ways, and
get snares to thy soul.
26 Become not surety from respect of
a man's person. 27 For if those have
not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed
that is under thee.
28 Remove not the old
cGr. eternal.landmarks, which thy fathers placed.
29 It is fit that an observant man
and one diligent in his business should attend on
kings, and not attend on slothful men.