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Proverbs chapter 22

English Standard Version

1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. 3 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. 4The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go; 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. 8Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. 9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. 10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease. 11He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. 12The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor. 13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!" 14The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit; he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it. 15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. 16Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. 17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, 18for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. 19That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you. 20Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you? 22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, 23for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them. 24Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, 25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 26Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. 27If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you? 28Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set. 29Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
New International Version

1A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.
3The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
4Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
5In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
6Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.
9The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
10Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.
11One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.
12The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13The sluggard says, "There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!"
14The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.
15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. 16One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty. 17Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. 20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? 22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life. 24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. 26Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. 28Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors. 29Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
New American Standard Bible

1A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; Favor is better than silver and gold. 2The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the Maker of them all. 3A prudent person sees evil and hides himself, But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty. 4The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor, and life. 5Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; One who guards himself will be far from them. 6Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he grows older he will not abandon it. 7The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave. 8One who sows injustice will reap disaster, And the rod of his fury will perish. 9One who is generous will be blessed, Because he gives some of his food to the poor. 10Drive out the scoffer, and strife will leave, Even quarreling and dishonor will cease. 11One who loves purity of heart And whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend. 12The eyes of the Lord protect knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the treacherous person. 13The lazy one says, 'There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!' 14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the Lord will fall into it. 15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. 16One who oppresses the poor to make more for himself, Or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. 17Extend your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge; 18For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, So that they may be ready on your lips. 19So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have taught you today, you indeed. 20Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21To make you know the certainty of the words of truth, So that you may correctly answer him who sent you? 22Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor crush the needy at the gate; 23For the Lord will plead their case And take the life of those who rob them. 24Do not make friends with a person given to anger, Or go with a hot-tempered person, 25Or you will learn his ways And find a snare for yourself. 26Do not be among those who shake hands, Among those who become guarantors for debts. 27If you have nothing with which to repay, Why should he take your bed from under you? 28Do not move the ancient boundary Which your fathers have set. 29Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure people.
Christian Standard Bible

1A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.
2Rich and poor have this in common: the Lord makes them all.
3A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.
4Humility, the fear of the Lord, results in wealth, honor, and life.
5There are thorns and snares on the way of the crooked; the one who guards himself stays far from them.
6Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.
8The one who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
10Drive out a mocker, and conflict goes too; then quarreling and dishonor will cease.
11The one who loves a pure heart and gracious lips—the king is his friend.
12The Lord’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the treacherous.
13The slacker says, "There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!"
14The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit; a man cursed by the Lord will fall into it.
15Foolishness is bound to the heart of a youth; a rod of discipline will separate it from him.
16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich—both lead only to poverty. 17Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge. 18For it is pleasing if you keep them within you and if they are constantly on your lips. 19I have instructed you today—even you— so that your confidence may be in the Lord. 20Haven’t I written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
21in order to teach you true and reliable words, so that you may give a dependable report to those who sent you? 22Don’t rob a poor person because he is poor, and don’t crush the oppressed at the city gate,
23for the Lord will champion their cause and will plunder those who plunder them. 24Don’t make friends with an angry person, and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered one,
25or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 26Don’t be one of those who enter agreements, who put up security for loans.
27If you have nothing with which to pay, even your bed will be taken from under you.
28Don’t move an ancient boundary marker that your fathers set up. 29Do you see a person skilled in his work? He will stand in the presence of kings. He will not stand in the presence of the unknown.
New Living Translation

1Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
2The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.
3A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.
6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
7Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.
9Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.
10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.
11Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.
12The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
13The lazy person claims, 'There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!'
14The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.
15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.
16A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. 18For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. 19I am teaching you today — yes, you — so you will trust in the Lord. 20I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. 21In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
22Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. 23For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
24Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 25or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. 27If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.
28Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.
29Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.
King James Version

1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.
15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. 17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
New King James Version

1A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all. 3A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. 4By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. 5Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be 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. 7The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. 8He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail. 9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease. 11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend. 12The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, But He overthrows the words of the faithless. 13 The lazy man says, “ There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; He who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there. 15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him. 16He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty. 17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge; 18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips, 19So that your trust may be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. 20Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21 That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, That you may answer words of truth To those who send to you? 22Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; 23 For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them. 24Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, 25Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul. 26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts; 27If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you? 28 Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set. 29Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

What does Proverbs chapter 22 mean?

The first portion of chapter 22 includes more comments about the eternal equality of all people, rich and poor, and God's sovereignty over them. Solomon repeats earlier warnings about foolish choices, contrasted with the benefits of godly wisdom. This includes a famous statement about the value of loving discipline in guiding children towards truth. Other proverbs speak on the absurd excuses of lazy persons and the sin of oppressing the poor (Proverbs 22:1–16).

The second part of chapter 22 introduces a new section. This portion of the book is made up of thirty wise sayings. These are presumably teachings which Solomon, himself, did not write, but which he endorses as true and valuable. The collection is prefaced with encouragement to remember and apply these ideas (Proverbs 22:17–21).

Most of the first five statements are phrased negatively: do not do such a thing. These teachings warn against exploiting those who are weak or disadvantaged, avoiding persons who cannot control their anger, and unwise financial investments. Scripture denounces those who cheat others out of property by manipulating borders and notes the value of diligent work (Proverbs 22:22–29).
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