Proverbs 22
BSB
A Good Name
1A good name is more desirable than great riches;
favor is better than silver and gold.
2The rich and the poor have this in common:
The LORD is Maker of them all.
3The prudent see danger and take cover,
but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
4The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD
are wealth and honor and life.
5Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse;
he who guards his soul stays 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 rule over the poor,
and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8He who sows injustice will reap disaster,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9A generous man will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.
10Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart;
even quarreling and insults will cease.
11He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips
will have the king for a friend.
12The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge,
but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside!
I will be slain in the streets!”
14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich
will surely lead to poverty.
Thirty Sayings of the Wise
Saying 1
17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—
apply your mind to my knowledge—
18for it is pleasing when you keep them within you
and they are constantly on your lips.
19So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I instruct you today—yes, you.
20Have I not written for you thirty sayings
about counsel and knowledge,
21to show you true and reliable words,
that you may soundly answer those who sent you?
Saying 2
22Do not rob a poor man because he is poor,
and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,
23for the LORD will take up their case
and will plunder those who rob them.
Saying 3
24Do not make friends with an angry man,
and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,
25or you may learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.
Saying 4
26Do not be one who gives pledges,
who puts up security for debts.
27If you have nothing with which to pay,
why should your bed be taken from under you?
Saying 5
28Do not move an ancient boundary stone
which your fathers have placed.
Saying 6
29Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will be stationed in the presence of kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.
Introduction
Proverbs 22
Here are two things which are more valuable and which we should covet more than great riches: - 1. To be well spoken of: A name (that is, a good name, a name for good things with God and good people) is rather to be chosen than great riches; that is, we should be more careful to do that by which we may get and keep a good name than that by which we may raise and increase a great estate. Great riches bring great cares with them, expose men to danger, and add no real value to a man. A fool and a knave may have great riches, but a good name makes a man easy and safe, supposes a man wise and honest, redounds to the glory of God, and gives a man a greater opportunity of doing good. By great riches we may relieve the bodily wants of others, but by a good name we may recommend religion to them. 2. To be well beloved, to have an interest in the esteem and affections of all about us; this is better than silver and gold. Christ has neither silver nor gold, but he grew in favour with God and man, Luk 2:52. This should teach us to look with a holy contempt upon the wealth of this world, not to set our hearts upon that, but with all possible care to think of those things that are lovely and of good report, Phi 4:8.
Cross-references: Luke 2:52 · Phil 4:8