Proverbs Chapter 22
King James Version (KJV)
Other Translations
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
1
A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches; loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2
The rich and poor meet together; Jehovah is the maker of them all.
3
A prudent [man] seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4
The reward of humility [and] the fear of Jehovah is riches, and honour, and life.
5
Thorns [and] snares are in the way of the perverse: he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.
6
Train up the child according to the tenor of his way, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7
The rich ruleth over the poor; and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8
He that soweth unrighteousness shall reap iniquity, and the rod of his wrath shall have an end.
9
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10
Cast out the scorner, and contention will depart, and strife and ignominy shall cease.
11
He that loveth pureness of heart, upon whose lips is grace, the king is his friend.
12
The eyes of Jehovah preserve knowledge; but he overthroweth the words of the unfaithful.
13
The sluggard saith, There is a lion without, I shall be killed in the streets!
14
The mouth of strange women is a deep ditch: he with whom Jehovah is displeased shall fall therein.
15
Folly is bound in the heart of a child; the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16
He that oppresseth the poor, it is to enrich him; he that giveth to the rich, [bringeth] only to want.
17
Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
18
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee: they shall be together fitted on thy lips.
19
That thy confidence may be in Jehovah, I have made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee.
20
Have not I written to thee excellent things, in counsels and knowledge,
21
that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?
22
Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate;
23
for Jehovah will plead their cause, and despoil the soul of those that despoil them.
24
Make no friendship with an angry man, and go not with a furious man;
25
lest thou learn his paths, and get a snare to thy soul.
26
Be not of them that strike hands, of them that are sureties for debts:
27
if thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28
Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set.
29
Hast thou seen a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before the mean.
lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM
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.
9
He that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor.
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.
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 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 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.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
1
Melius est nomen bonum, quam divitiæ multæ: super argentum et aurum, gratia bona.
2
Dives, et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.
3
Callidus vidit malum, et abscondit se: innocens pertransiit, et afflictus est damno.
4
Finis modestiæ timor Domini, divitiæ et gloria et vita.
5
Arma et gladii in via perversi: custos autem animæ suæ longe recedit ab eis.
6
Proverbium est: Adolescens iuxta viam suam, etiam cum senuerit, non recedet ab ea.
7
Dives pauperibus imperat: et qui accipit mutuum, servus est fœnerantis.
8
Qui seminat iniquitatem, metet mala, et virga iræ suæ consummabitur.
9
Qui pronus est ad misericordiam, benedicetur: de panibus enim suis dedit pauperi. Victoriam et honorem acquiret qui dat munera: animam autem aufert accipientium.
10
Eiice derisorem, et exibit cum eo iurgium, cessabuntque causæ et contumeliæ.
11
Qui diligit cordis munditiam, propter gratiam labiorum suorum habebit amicum regem.
12
Oculi Domini custodiunt scientiam: et supplantantur verba iniqui.
13
Dicit piger: Leo est foris, in medio platearum occidendus sum.
14
Fovea profunda, os alienæ: cui iratus est Dominus, incidet in eam.
15
Stultitia colligata est in corde pueri, et virga disciplinæ fugabit eam.
16
Qui calumniatur pauperem, ut augeat divitias suas, dabit ipse ditiori, et egebit.
17
Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam.
18
quæ pulchra erit tibi, cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo, et redundabit in labiis tuis:
19
Ut sit in Domino fiducia tua, unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie.
20
Ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter, in cogitationibus et scientia:
21
ut ostenderem tibi firmitatem, et eloquia veritatis, respondere ex his illis, qui miserunt te.
22
Non facias violentiam pauperi, quia pauper est: neque conteras egenum in porta:
23
quia iudicabit Dominus causam eius, et configet eos, qui confixerunt animam eius.
24
Noli esse amicus homini iracundo, neque ambules cum viro furioso:
25
ne forte discas semitas eius, et sumas scandalum animæ tuæ.
26
Noli esse cum his, qui defigunt manus suas, et qui vades se offerunt pro debitis:
27
si enim non habes unde restituas, quid causæ est ut tollat operimentum de cubili tuo?
28
Ne transgrediaris terminos antiquos, quos posuerunt patres tui.
29
Vidisti virum velocem in opere suo? coram regibus stabit, nec erit ante ignobiles.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
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: The LORD 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 the LORD 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
The LORD’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 the LORD’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 the LORD.
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 the LORD 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.
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
1
A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold--good grace.
2
Rich and poor have met together, The Maker of them all <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah.
3
The prudent hath seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
4
The end of humility <FI>is<Fi> the fear of Jehovah, Riches, and honour, and life.
5
Thorns--snares <FI>are<Fi> in the way of the perverse, Whoso is keeping his soul is far from them.
6
Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he turneth not from it.
7
The rich over the poor ruleth, And a servant <FI>is<Fi> the borrower to the lender.
8
Whoso is sowing perverseness reapeth sorrow, And the rod of his anger weareth out.
9
The good of eye--he is blessed, For he hath given of his bread to the poor.
10
Cast out a scorner--and contention goeth out, And strife and shame cease.
11
Whoso is loving cleanness of heart, Grace <FI>are<Fi> his lips, a king <FI>is<Fi> his friend.
12
The eyes of Jehovah have kept knowledge, And He overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
13
The slothful hath said, `A lion <FI>is<Fi> without, In the midst of the broad places I am slain.'
14
A deep pit <FI>is<Fi> the mouth of strange women, The abhorred of Jehovah falleth there.
15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of chastisement putteth it far from him.
16
He is oppressing the poor to multiply to him, He is giving to the rich--only to want.
17
Incline thine ear, and hear words of the wise, And thy heart set to my knowledge,
18
For they are pleasant when thou dost keep them in thy heart, They are prepared together for thy lips.
19
That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I caused thee to know to-day, even thou.
20
Have I not written to thee three times With counsels and knowledge?
21
To cause thee to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending thee.
22
Rob not the poor because he <FI>is<Fi> poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate.
23
For Jehovah pleadeth their cause, And hath spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
24
Shew not thyself friendly with an angry man, And with a man of fury go not in,
25
Lest thou learn his paths, And have received a snare to thy soul.
26
Be not thou among those striking hands, Among sureties <FI>for<Fi> burdens.
27
If thou hast nothing to pay, Why doth he take thy bed from under thee?
28
Remove not a border of olden times, That thy fathers have made.
29
Hast thou seen a man speedy in his business? Before kings he doth station himself, He stations not himself before obscure men!
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).