Aa
1A good name is to be chosen over great wealth;
favor is better than silver and gold.22:1 Pr 10:7; 8:10; Ec 7:1

2Rich and poor have this in common:22:2 Lit poor meet
the Lord makes them all.22:2 Jb 31:13,15; Pr 29:13

3A sensible person sees danger and takes cover,
but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.22:3 Pr 14:16; 27:12; Is 26:20

4Humility, the fear of the Lord,
results in wealth, honor, and life.22:4 Pr 15:33; 21:21; 29:23

5There are thorns and snares on the way of the crooked;22:5 Pr 7:23; 15:19
the one who guards himself stays far from them.

6Start a youth out on his way;22:6 Eph 6:4
even when he grows old he will not depart from it.

7The rich rule over the poor,22:7 Pr 18:23; Jms 2:6
and the borrower is a slave to the lender.22:7 Dt 28:12–13

8The one who sows injustice will reap disaster,22:8 Jb 4:8; Hs 10:13–14
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

9A generous person22:9 Lit Good of eye will be blessed,22:9 Pr 19:17; 2Co 9:6
for he shares his food with the poor.22:9 Lk 14:13–14

10Drive out a mocker,22:10 Gn 21:9–10 and conflict goes too;
then quarreling and dishonor will cease.22:10 Pr 26:20

11The one who loves a pure heart
and gracious lips — the king is his friend.22:11 Pr 16:13

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!” 22:13 Pr 26:13

14The mouth of the forbidden woman is a deep pit;
a man cursed by the Lord will fall into it.22:14 Pr 2:16–19; 7:5,21,27; 23:27–28; Ec 7:26

15Foolishness is bound to the heart of a youth;
a rod of discipline will separate it from him.22:15 Pr 13:24; 23:13–14; 29:15

16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself,
and giving to the rich — both lead only to poverty.22:16 Pr 11:24; 22:7; 28:27

Words of the Wise
17Listen closely,22:17 Lit Stretch out your ear pay attention to the words of the wise,22:17 Pr 5:1
and apply your mind to my knowledge.
18For it is pleasing if you keep them within you
and if they are22:18 Or you; let them be, or you, so that 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 sayings22:20 Text emended; one Hb tradition reads you previously; alt Hb tradition reads you excellent things; LXX, Syr, Vg read you three times
about counsel and knowledge,
21in order to teach you true and reliable words,
so that you may give a dependable report22:21 Lit give dependable words22:21 Lk 1:3–4
to those who sent you?22:21 Pr 10:26; 25:13

22Don’t rob a poor person because he is poor,
and don’t crush the oppressed22:22 Ex 23:6; Jb 31:16; Zch 7:10; Mal 3:5 at the city gate,22:22 Ru 4:11; Pr 24:7; Zch 8:16
23for the Lord will champion their cause22:23 1Sm 25:39; Ps 12:5; 35:10; 68:5; 140:12; Pr 23:10–11; Is 3:13–15
and will plunder those who plunder them.

24Don’t make friends with an angry person,22:24 Lit with a master of anger
and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered one,22:24 Pr 15:18; 19:19
25or you will learn his ways22:25 1Co 15:33
and entangle yourself in a snare.

26Don’t be one of those who enter agreements,22:26 Lit Don’t be among hand slappers
who put up security for loans.22:26 Pr 6:1–5; 11:15; 17:18
27If you have nothing with which to pay,
even your bed will be taken from under you.22:27 Ex 22:26; Pr 20:16

28Don’t move an ancient boundary marker
that your ancestors set up.22:28 Dt 19:14; 27:17; Jb 24:2; Pr 23:10; Hs 5:10

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.22:29 Gn 41:46; 1Kg 10:8; Pr 14:35