Chapter Twenty-Two

A good name is to be preferred over riches, to be held in favor, better than silver and gold.

The rich and the poor have this is common: Jehovah is the creator of them both.

The sensible man sees danger coming and protects himself from it, but the simple man goes on his way and suffers the consequences.

The rewards of humility and a reverence for Jehovah are wealth, honor, and long life.

The path of the devious is full of thorns and pitfalls.  Whoever values his life stays far from it.

Steer your children onto the correct path and when they are old, they will never stray from it.

As the rich rule the poor so is the borrower a slave to the lender.

He who plants the seeds of injustice will reap a harvest of evil.  The punishing rod of his wrath will be broken.

He who is generous is blessed, for he has shared his food with the poor.

Expel the scorner and contention will go with him; quarreling and insults will cease.

Whoever loves purity of heart and graciousness of speech, will find a friend in the king.

Jehovah watches over the preservation of knowledge, but silences the words of the deceitful.

The lazy man says, “There’s a lion abroad.  I’ll be slaughtered in the streets!”

The mouth of an exotic woman is like a deep pit.  Those who are the object of Jehovah’s ire will fall into it.

Foolishness is inherent in the mind of a child, but the rod of punishment will correct it.

Those who press the poor to gain wealth and those who give to the rich will both end up in want.

Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise.  Apply your mind to my teachings, for it is pleasant to hold them in your memory so that they can readily be spoken.  Today I am instructing you, even you, that you may put your trust in Jehovah.  Have I not formerly written down for you excellent maxims of advice and knowledge?  I did this to teach you the certain truth so you can answer accurately when you report back to those who have sent you. 

Do not oppress the poor because of their poverty or exploit the disadvantaged in court, for Jehovah will plead their cause and take the life of those who take from them.

Do not make friends with those who are prone to anger or be a companion to someone has a violent temper, or you may take up his ways and entrap yourself.

Do not be among those who shake hands in a pledge and put up collateral for a loan if you lack the resources to repay it, for your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Do not move an ancient boundary marker set up by your forbears.

Do see someone who is an expert at his trade?  Well, he will stand in the service of kings.  He won’t work for nobodies.