Proverbs 22 - The Message (MSG)

The Cure Comes Through Discipline

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17-21 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

22-23 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

24-25 Don’t hang out with angry people;
don’t keep company with hotheads.
Bad temper is contagious—
don’t get infected.

3

26-27 Don’t gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,
pawning 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

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

5

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.

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Proverbs 22 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

22 A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold -- good grace. 2 Rich and poor have met together, The Maker of them all [is] Jehovah. 3 The prudent hath seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished. 4 The end of humility [is] the fear of Jehova...
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Proverbs 22 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

22 Better is a good name, than many riches; for good grace is above silver and gold (for a good reputation is more valuable than silver and gold). 2 A rich man and a poor man met themselves; the Lord is [the] worker of ever either. (A rich person and a poor person met together; the Lord is the Maker...
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Proverbs 22 - World English Bible (WEB)

22 A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.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 f...
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Proverbs 22 - The Voice (VOICE)

We do not like or want to believe it, but there are limits to what humans can accomplish. Whatever wisdom and knowledge we think we possess is nothing compared to God’s. Whatever plans we make will come to nothing unless they line up with God’s plans and purposes for us.22 A good reputation is prefe...
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Proverbs 22 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth,and grace rather than silver or gold.2 Rich and poor have this in common—Adonai is the Maker of them all.3 A crafty person sees danger and hides,but the naïve keep going and suffer for it. 4 The reward of humility and fear of Adonaiis riches, h...
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Proverbs 22 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.2 The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.3 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.4 The reward for humility and fear of the L...
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Proverbs 22 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.2 The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.3 A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.4 The reward for humility and fear of the L...
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Proverbs 22 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold.2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.3 The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is...
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Proverbs 22 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.(A)2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.3 The clever see danger and hide, but the simple go on and suffer for it.4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord i...
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Proverbs 22 - New Living Translation (NLT)

22 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. 3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. 4 True humil...
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Proverbs 22 - New Life Version (NLV)

22 A good name is to be chosen instead of many riches. Favor is better than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor meet together. The Lord is the maker of them all. 3 A wise man sees sin and hides himself, but the foolish go on, and are punished for it. 4 The reward for not having pride and havin...
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Proverbs 22 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Value of a Good Name22 A (A)good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,Loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2 The (B)rich and the poor have this in common,The (C)Lord is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,But the simple pass on and are (D)punished...
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Proverbs 22 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

22 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. 2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. 3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. 4 Humility is the fear of the Lord; its w...
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Proverbs 22 - New International Version (NIV)

22 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.(A) 2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.(B) 3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,(C) but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.(D) 4 Humility is the fear of the...
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Proverbs 22 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

22 You should want a good name more than you want great riches. To be highly respected is better than having silver or gold. 2 The Lord made rich people and poor people. That’s what they have in common. 3 Wise people see danger and go to a safe place. But childish people keep going and suffer for it...
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Proverbs 22 - New English Translation (NET)

22 A good name[a] is to be chosen[b] rather than great wealth,good favor[c] more than silver or gold.2 The rich and the poor are met together;[d]the Lord is the Creator of them both.[e]3 A shrewd person[f] saw[g] danger[h] and hid[i] himself,but the naive passed on by and paid for it.[j]4 The reward...
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