The chapter opens by valuing a good name and esteem above great riches, silver, or gold. Rich and poor are brought together under the truth that the LORD is Maker of them all. The prudent see danger and take refuge, while the simple keep going and suffer. Humility is the fear of the LORD, bringing riches, honor, and life. The paths of the wicked contain thorns and snares, but those who guard their souls stay far from them.
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:2
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.
Proverbs 22:3
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 Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.
The chapter turns to child training, debt, injustice, generosity, mockery, and speech. A child is to be started or trained according to the way he should go. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Those who sow injustice reap calamity. The generous are blessed because they share food with the poor. Driving out the mocker removes strife, quarrels, and insults. One who loves a pure heart and speaks graciously has the king as a friend. The LORD watches over knowledge, but frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
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.
Proverbs 22:9
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.
Proverbs 22:11
11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
12 Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
The sluggard invents extreme excuses, claiming there is a lion outside. The mouth of the adulterous woman is a deep pit, and the one under the LORD's wrath falls into it. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far away. One who oppresses the poor to increase wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich both come to poverty.
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 Yahweh’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.
A new instructional section begins with the command to pay attention, turn the ear to the sayings of the wise, and apply the heart to what is taught. These words are pleasant when kept within and ready on the lips. The purpose is explicit: so that the learner's trust may be in the LORD. The teacher has written thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge to teach what is trustworthy and true, enabling the learner to give sound answers.
Proverbs 22:17-21
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 Yahweh.
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?
The learner is warned not to exploit the poor because they are poor, and not to crush the needy in court. The LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life from those who rob them.
22 Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
23 for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
The learner must not make friends with a hot-tempered person or associate with one easily angered, lest he learn that person's ways and become ensnared. He must not put up security for debts, lest his bed be taken from under him. He must not move ancient boundary stones set by ancestors. Finally, skillful work is commended: the one skilled in his work will serve before kings, not obscure officials.
24 Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:
25 lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.
Proverbs 22:26-27
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.