The Bible — World English Bible

Proverbs 22

In brief

Proverbs 22 opens the second great collection of Solomon's sayings. It speaks of what has value (a good name is worth more than money), of the humility that leads to life, of raising children, of the dangers of debt and laziness, of the company we keep, of the respect owed to the poor and of work done well. The common thread: the fear of the Lord shows in ordinary choices, with money, words, family, friendships and work.

The chapter in 5 parts

  1. v. 1-5Reputation, humility and prudence
  2. v. 6-9Training a child, debt and generosity
  3. v. 10-16Quarrels, laziness and foolishness of the heart
  4. v. 17-23Words of the wise and justice for the poor
  5. v. 24-29Company, pledges and work done well

1A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

2The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.

3A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

4The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays 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. The borrower is servant to the lender.

8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

9He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.

10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

12Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”

14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it.

15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.

18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

19I teach you today, even you, So that your trust may be in Yahweh.

20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,

21To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

22Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;

23for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:

25lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.

26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.

27If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

28Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.

29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.

Key verses

Verse 1
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

The verse puts a good name and favor above silver and gold. What you leave behind as a reputation counts more than what you accumulate.

Verse 6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

This is a principle of upbringing, not a mathematical guarantee: a child guided on the right path keeps its imprint. Proverbs describes general tendencies, not absolute promises.

Verse 7
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

The verse states the reality of debt: the borrower depends on the lender. It invites prudence rather than laying down a universal rule.

Verse 8
He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

The verse states the law of sowing and reaping: what you sow in injustice ends up turning against you.

Verse 29
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.

Diligence and skill in your trade open doors. The verse values excellence in your work, tied to faithfulness.

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What the sermons say

Your Home Is Your First Church: Living Out Your Faith as a FamilyThe preacher draws on verse 6 to say the family is the first church: teaching your children begins with a faith lived out at home.Read the summary →How to Influence and Bear Fruit in Your SphereOne of the speakers quotes verse 29: excellence and faithfulness in your work open doors of influence, like Jesus who was known as the carpenter.Read the summary →You Reap What You SowAround Galatians 6, the evangelist recalls the law of the sower and quotes verse 8 to say that whoever sows injustice reaps iniquity.Read the summary →Mammon Unmasked: What Your Wallet Says About Who You ServeVerses 22 and 23 are quoted to remind us that the Bible condemns those who take from the poorest, even in the name of God.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Proverbs 22

What does Proverbs 22:6 mean?

The verse invites you to train a child in the way he should go, with the hope that he will not turn from it once grown. Proverbs expresses principles of wisdom rather than guarantees: many faithful parents see a child drift away for a time. The text mainly stresses the weight of upbringing and of the example set at home.

What does Proverbs 22:7 say about the borrower?

The verse observes that the borrower is servant to the lender. It is a warning about the dependence debt creates. It does not say every loan is a sin, but it encourages you to weigh what you commit to repay. Verse 26 points the same way in warning against pledges.

What does Proverbs 22 say about the poor and the rich?

The chapter recalls that the rich and the poor have the same Maker (verse 2). It blesses the one who shares his bread (verse 9) and forbids robbing the poor because he is poor (verses 22 and 23), for the Lord defends his cause. Justice toward the weakest is a mark of the fear of God.

Articles quoting Proverbs 22

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World English Bible translation — public domain.