Proverbs 22

King James Version

Full text for Proverbs Chapter 22

1¶ A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, [and] loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2¶ The rich and poor meet together: the LORD [is] the maker of them all.

3¶ A prudent [man] foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

4¶ By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.

5¶ Thorns [and] snares [are] in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

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 ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.

8¶ He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

9¶ He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

10¶ Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

11¶ He that loveth pureness of heart, [for] the grace of his lips the king [shall be] his friend.

12¶ The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

13¶ The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

14¶ The mouth of strange women [is] a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

15¶ Foolishness [is] bound in the heart of a child; [but] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16¶ He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

17¶ Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

18For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

22¶ Rob not the poor, because he [is] poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

24¶ Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

26¶ Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts.

27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

28¶ Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

29¶ Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Proverbs 22 emphasizes that a good name and divine favor are more valuable than great riches, acknowledging the Lord as the maker of both rich and poor. It advocates for prudence, the proper training of children, and generosity, while warning against slothfulness and the oppression of the poor. The chapter concludes with admonitions against harmful associations and encourages diligence.

Medium Summary

Proverbs 22 opens by asserting the superiority of a good name and loving favour over material wealth, stating that the Lord created both the rich and the poor. It commends prudence in foreseeing evil and highlights humility and the fear of the Lord as paths to riches, honour, and life. The chapter provides the foundational instruction to “Train up a child in the way he should go,” ensuring their future adherence to righteousness. It warns against the snares of the froward, the dangers of strange women, and the consequences of sowing iniquity. Blessings are promised to the bountiful, and divine justice is assured for the oppressed. Further counsel includes avoiding angry companions, refraining from suretyship, and respecting ancient landmarks, ultimately praising diligence as a means to achieve prominence.

Long Summary

Proverbs 22 begins by declaring that a good name and loving favour are far more desirable than great riches, underscoring the divine truth that the LORD is the maker of both the wealthy and the impoverished. It extols the virtue of prudence, which enables one to foresee evil and take protective measures, contrasting this with the simple who pass on and are punished. The text links humility and the fear of the LORD to the attainment of riches, honour, and life, while cautioning against the perilous paths of the froward. A pivotal principle for child-rearing is presented: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The chapter acknowledges the societal reality of the rich ruling the poor and the borrower serving the lender, but warns that those who sow iniquity shall reap vanity. It praises the generous, stating that he that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed for giving to the poor, and advises casting out the scorner to cease contention and strife. Purity of heart and gracious speech are presented as means to gain royal friendship, while the LORD's eyes are said to preserve knowledge and overthrow the words of the transgressor. The slothful man's excuses are ridiculed, and the allure of strange women is depicted as a deep pit for those abhorred by the LORD. The necessity of the rod of correction for foolishness in children is affirmed, and oppression of the poor is condemned, with the LORD promising to plead their cause. Practical wisdom is offered against forming friendships with angry individuals and becoming surety for debts, lest one fall into a snare or lose one's possessions. The chapter concludes by admonishing against removing ancient landmarks and commending diligence, asserting that a diligent man will achieve prominence before kings.

Core Concepts

  • Value of ReputationA good name and loving favour are explicitly stated to be more desirable and valuable than great riches, silver, and gold.
  • Divine Creation of HumanityThe chapter highlights that both the rich and the poor meet together, emphasizing that the LORD is the common maker of them all, implying divine impartiality.
  • Prudence and WisdomA prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, contrasting with the simple who pass on and are punished, underscoring the importance of foresight and wise action.
  • Child TrainingThe instruction to "Train up a child in the way he should go" is presented as a foundational principle, ensuring that the child will not depart from it in old age.
  • Justice for the PoorThe chapter strongly warns against robbing or oppressing the poor, stating that the LORD will plead their cause and spoil those who spoil them.
  • Diligence and AdvancementDiligence in one's business is presented as a virtue leading to honor and success, as a diligent man shall stand before kings rather than mean men.
  • Avoiding Harmful AssociationsCounsel is given to avoid friendship with angry or furious men, and to refrain from becoming surety for debts, to prevent personal harm and financial entanglement.