Proverbs 22

MSG — The Message Bible (MSG)

NLT — New Living Translation Bible (NLT)

Verse 1

A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich;
a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

Verse 2

The rich and the poor shake hands as equals—
God made them both!

The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both.

Verse 3

A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;
a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Verse 4

The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God
is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.

Verse 5

The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick;
if you know what’s good for you, stay clear of it.

Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.

Verse 6

Point your kids in the right direction—
when they’re old they won’t be lost.

Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Verse 7

The poor are always ruled over by the rich,
so don’t borrow and put yourself under their power.

Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.

Verse 8

Whoever sows sin reaps weeds,
and bullying anger sputters into nothing.

Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.^[a]

Verse 9

Generous hands are blessed hands
because they give bread to the poor.

Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.

Verse 10

Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down;
you need a break from bickering and griping!

Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.

Verse 11

God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken;
good leaders also delight in their friendship.

Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.

Verse 12

God guards knowledge with a passion,
but he’ll have nothing to do with deception.

The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

Verse 13

The loafer says, “There’s a lion on the loose!
If I go out I’ll be eaten alive!”

The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”

Verse 14

The mouth of a whore is a bottomless pit;
you’ll fall in that pit if you’re on the outs with God.

The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.

Verse 15

Young people are prone to foolishness and fads;
the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.

A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.

Verse 16

Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever,
you’ll end up the poorer for it.

The Thirty Precepts of the Sages

Don’t Move Back the Boundary Lines

A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

Verse 17

Listen carefully to my wisdom;
    take to heart what I can teach you.
You’ll treasure its sweetness deep within;
    you’ll give it bold expression in your speech.
To make sure your foundation is trust in God,
    I’m laying it all out right now just for you.
I’m giving you thirty sterling principles—
    tested guidelines to live by.
Believe me—these are truths that work,
    and will keep you accountable
    to those who sent you.

1

Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.

Verse 18

— not in MSG

For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.

Verse 19

— not in MSG

I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the Lord.

Verse 20

— not in MSG

I have written thirty sayings^[b] for you,
filled with advice and knowledge.

Verse 21

— not in MSG

In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

Verse 22

Don’t walk on the poor just because they’re poor,
and don’t use your position to crush the weak,
Because God will come to their defense;
the life you took, he’ll take from you and give back to them.

2

Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
or exploit the needy in court.

Verse 23

— not in MSG

For the Lord is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

Verse 24

Don’t hang out with angry people;
don’t keep company with hotheads.
Bad temper is contagious—
don’t get infected.

3

Don’t befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,

Verse 25

— not in MSG

or you will learn to be like them
and endanger your soul.

Verse 26

Don’t gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,
hocking your house against a lucky chance.
The time will come when you have to pay up;
you’ll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.

4

Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for someone else.

Verse 27

— not in MSG

If you can’t pay it,
even your bed will be snatched from under you.

Verse 28

Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines
staked out long ago by your ancestors.

5

Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
set up by previous generations.

Verse 29

Observe people who are good at their work—
skilled workers are always in demand and admired;
they don’t take a backseat to anyone.

Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.