Chapter 22
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches , and loving favor is better than silver and gold .
2 The rich and the poor have this in common : Yahweh is the maker of them all .
3 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on , and suffer for it .
4 The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth , honor , and life .
5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them .
6 Train up a child in the way he should go , and when he is old he will not depart from it .
7 The rich rule over the poor . The borrower is servant to the lender .
8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed .
9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed , for he shares his food with the poor .
10 Drive out the mocker , and strife will go out ; yes, quarrels and insults will stop .
11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king ’s friend .
12 Yahweh ’s eyes watch over knowledge , but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard says, " There is a lion outside ! I will be killed in the streets !"
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit . He who is under Yahweh ’s wrath will fall into it .
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child ; the rod of discipline drives it far from him .
16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich , both come to poverty .
17 Turn your ear , and listen to the words of the wise . Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you , if all of them are ready on your lips .
19 I teach you today , even you , so that your trust may be in Yahweh .
20 Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge ,
21 To teach you truth , reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you ?
22 Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor ; and don’t crush the needy in court ;
23 for Yahweh will plead their case , and plunder the life of those who plunder them .
24 Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man . Don’t associate with one who harbors anger ,
25 lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul .
26 Don’t you be one of those who strike hands , of those who are collateral for debts .
27 If you don’t have means to pay , why should he take away your bed from under you ?
28 Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up .
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work ? He will serve kings . He won’t serve obscure men .