Proverbs 22

1 A good [reputable, honorable] name [identity, character] is more desirable [to be chosen, preferred] than great [abundant, plentiful] riches [wealth, treasures]; favor [loving kindness, graciousness] is better [more valuable, preferable] than silver [money, payment] and gold [precious, valuable metal]. word study 2 The rich [wealthy, noble] and the poor [destitute, lacking] have this in common: The LORD [Yehovah, the Creator] is Maker [One who creates, forms] of them all [everything, the entire universe]. word study 3 The prudent [wise, discerning] see danger [evil, moral harm] and take cover [hide, conceal themselves], but the simple [naive, easily influenced] keep going [pass on, cross over] and suffer the consequences [are punished, fined, face the penalty]. word study 4 The rewards [consequences, outcome] of humility [modest mindset, gentleness] and the fear [reverence, respect] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] are wealth [riches, abundance] and honor [glory, great esteem] and life [being alive, spiritual life]. word study 5 Thorns [sharp objects that can hurt] and snares [nets or traps] lie on the path [way of life, road] of the perverse [twisted, false, or distorted]; he who guards [protects, watches over] his soul [the essence of a person, living being] stays far [removes himself, creates distance] from them. word study 6 Train up [teach, dedicate] a child [youth, from infancy to adolescence] in the way [path, manner of life] he should go [he is inclined, destined], and when he is old [matures, becomes elderly] he will not [never] depart from [turn aside, remove himself from] it [this way of life, his upbringing]. word study 7 The rich [wealthy, noble] rule [have power over, dominate] over the poor [destitute, lacking material possessions], and the borrower [one who takes a loan, is in debt] is slave [servant, bond servant] to the lender [the one who gives a loan, creditor]. word study 8 He who sows [plants, spreads] injustice [iniquity, moral evil] will reap [harvest, gather] disaster [trouble, calamity], and the rod [staff] of his fury [anger, wrath] will be destroyed [ended, consumed]. word study 9 A [bountiful] generous man will be blessed [praised, honored], for he shares [gives, distributes] his [daily] bread [food, sustenance] with the [needy, impoverished] poor [weak, destitute]. word study 10 Drive out [cast away, expel] the mocker [scoffer, scorner, one who mocks or ridicules], and conflict [strife, contention, quarreling] will depart; even quarreling [arguments, disputes] and insults [reproach, shame, dishonor] will cease [come to an end, stop]. word study 11 He who loves [with deep affection, cherishes] a pure [clean, undefiled] heart [the seat of emotions, will, and intellect] and gracious [kind, favorable] lips [words, language, speech] will have the king [a royal person, ruler, melech] for a friend [close companion, neighbor]. word study 12 The LORD’s eyes [sources of wisdom and insight] keep watch [guard and protect] over knowledge [divine understanding and insight], but He frustrates [overthrows and subverts] the words [deeds and plans] of the faithless [unfaithful and treacherous, acting deceitfully]. word study 13 The slacker [lazy person, slothful man] says, “There is a lion outside [in the streets, beyond the wall]! I will be slain [murdered, killed] in the streets [public areas, plazas]!” word study 14 The mouth [lip, edge] of an adulteress [strange woman, immoral woman] is a deep [profound, mysterious] pit [a deep hole, a place of danger]; he who is under the wrath [anger, indignation] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] will fall [be defeated, come to ruin] into it [there, that place of judgment]. word study 15 Foolishness [silliness, ridiculous behavior] is bound up [tied, deeply rooted] in the heart [feelings, will, intellect] of a child [youth, young person], but the rod [staff] of discipline [correction, guidance] drives it far [removes, creates distance] from him. word study 16 Oppressing [to press upon or defraud, violently] the poor [weak, in need of help] to enrich [to multiply, increase] oneself [for personal gain] or giving [to put, or set] gifts [bribes, favors] to the rich [wealthy, noble] will [certainly] surely lead [result in, come to] to poverty [need, lack, shortage]. word study 17 Incline [bow down, turn] your ear [ability to hear, listen] and hear [listen attentively, obey] the words [things, matters] of the wise [skilled, intelligent, prudent]— apply [set, appoint] your mind [heart, intellect] to my knowledge [understanding, wisdom]— word study 18 for [it is a pleasant thing, a delight] it is pleasing [a pleasant thing, beautiful] when you keep [protect, attend to, guard] them within [in your heart, in your belly] you and they are [established, prepared] constantly [withal, together] on [upon] your lips [language, edge of speech]. word study 19 So that your trust [confidence, faith] may be in the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God], I instruct [teach, make known] you today [at this present time, now]—yes, you [even to you, personally]. word study 20 Have I [not at all] not written for you thirty [excellent things, wise sayings] sayings about [wise and informed] counsel [plans, advice, and guidance] and knowledge [understanding, wisdom, and insight], word study 21 to show you [certain, reliable, and faithful] true and reliable words [of truth, promises, and commands from God], that you may soundly [with confidence and assurance] answer [return, respond, and give a truthful explanation] those who [have authority, sent with a purpose] sent you [as a messenger, with a task]? word study 22 Do not [exploit, take advantage of] rob a poor [weak, needy] man because he is poor [destitute, helpless], and do not [oppress, bruise] crush the afflicted [humble, depressed] at the gate [place of judgment, city entrance], word study 23 for [because of their cry, since He is their Defender] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] will take up [plead, contend for] their case [strife, dispute, quarrel] and will plunder [spoil, despoil of life, afflict] those who [namely, the ones who] rob [defraud, take by force] them [the oppressed, the poor]. word study 24 Do not [refrain from, avoid] make friends [form a close relationship, associate] with an angry [given to wrath, hot-tempered] man, and do not [refuse to, avoid] associate [go in the company, walk with] with a hot-tempered [furious, full of rage] man [individual, person], word study 25 or you may learn [acquire knowledge of, become familiar with] his ways [paths, manner of life] and entangle [get caught, ensnare] yourself in a snare [trap, pitfall] [to your soul, for your life]. word study 26 Do not [under no circumstances] be one who gives [becomes surety for] pledges [strikes hands, offers security], who puts up [offers himself as, becomes responsible for] security [a guarantee, a promise to pay] for debts [loans, financial obligations, burdens]. word study 27 If [in the event that, supposing] you have nothing [no resources, lacking] with which to pay [to complete, fulfill the debt], why [for what reason, what cause] should your bed [place of rest] be taken [removed, seized] from under [beneath, underneath] you? word study 28 Do not [remove, pass beyond] move an ancient [old, long-standing] boundary stone [landmark, border] which [that] your fathers [ancestors, forefathers] have placed [set, established]. word study 29 Do you see [perceive, have a vision of] a man [individual, person] skilled [quick, diligent] in his work [occupation, employment]? He will be stationed [stand, placed] in the presence [face, before] of kings [royal persons]; he will not stand [place himself] before [in the presence of] obscure [unknown, unclear, hard to understand] men [common, low persons]. word study