Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:2

The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

The wisdom of God hath not thought fit to make all men rich, or all poor, but hath intermixed the one with the other, that each of them might have use of other; neither is it for the wealthy to insult upon or oppress the needy, since it is God, that hath made them both such as they are, and he both can and will revenge any unjust measure, that is offered by the one to the other.

Proverbs 22:5

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward.

The froward and perverse, is as a man on all sides encompassed with thorns and snares: his stubbornness brings him into infinite perplexities, out of which he can find no issue.

Proverbs 22:13

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way.

The slothful man feigns idle excuses, and pretences of danger, when he should go about his business.

Proverbs 22:14

The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

The plausible and smooth tongue of a harlot is no less dangerous, than a deep pit fairly covered: into which if a man once fall, there is small hope of recovering himself; and it is a fearful sign and effect of God’s anger, to be given over to her enticements.

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child: but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

There is a foolish waywardness, that is natural to the child, and cleaves close to his disposition: yet not so, but that it may be, with due correction, whipt out of him.

Proverbs 22:16

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

As well he, that unjustly takes from the poor to enrich himself, as he, that gives to the rich that which he unduly withholds from the poor, shall, through the just judgment of God, come to want.