Proverbs 22:1-18 ▼

1 A good name is to be chosen over great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor meet together in this— Yahweh is the Maker of them all.

3 A prudent man sees evil and hides, But the simple pass on, and are punished.

4 The reward of humility—the fear of Yahweh— Is riches, glory, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; He who keeps his soul will be far from them.

6 Train up a child according to his way, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is the slave of the lender.

8 He who sows unrighteousness will reap iniquity, And the rod of his fury will end.

9 He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives from his food to the poor.

10 Drive out the scoffer, and strife will go out, Even contention and disgrace will cease.

11 He who loves purity of heart And grace on his lips, the king is his friend.

12 The eyes of Yahweh guard knowledge, But He subverts the words of the treacherous one.

13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!”

14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; He who is cursed of Yahweh will fall into it.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

16 He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich will only come to lack.

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

18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be established on your lips.