“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold.
The rich and the poor have a common bond,
The Lord is the Maker of them all.”

“A prudent person sees evil and hides himself,
But the naive proceed and pay the penalty.
The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches, honor, and life.”

“Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
One who guards himself will be far from them.
Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he grows older he will not depart from it.”

“The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.
One who sows injustice will reap disaster,
And the rod of his fury will perish.”

“One who is generous will be blessed,
Because he gives some of his food to the poor.
Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go away,
Even strife and dishonor will cease.”

“One who loves purity of heart
And whose speech is gracious will have the king as his friend.
The eyes of the Lord protect knowledge,
But He overthrows the words of the treacherous.”

“The lazy one says, ‘There is a lion outside;
I will be killed in the streets!’
The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
One who is cursed of the Lord will fall into it.”

“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.
One who oppresses the poor to make more for himself,
Or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.”

“Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your mind to my knowledge;
For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
So that they may be ready on your lips.”

“So that your trust may be in the Lord,
I have taught you today, even you.
Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,”

“To make you know the certainty of the words of truth
So that you may correctly answer him who sent you?”

“Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
Or crush the needy at the gate;
For the Lord will plead their case
And take the life of those who rob them.”

“Do not make friends with a person given to anger,
Or go with a hot-tempered person,
Or you will learn his ways
And find a snare for yourself.”

“Do not be a person who makes guarantees,
Who puts up security for debts;
If you have nothing with which to pay,
Why should your bed be taken from under you?”

“Do not move the ancient boundary
Which your fathers have set.
Do you see a person skilled in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before obscure people.”

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Context and Meaning

Proverbs 22 blends personal wisdom with social wisdom.
It teaches that wisdom influences:

• Character
• Parenting
• Finances
• Friendships
• Justice
• Reputation
• Work ethic

The chapter also shifts into a new section (v. 17–29) known as “The Sayings of the Wise,” offering specific counsels for faithful living rooted in the fear of the Lord.

Key Themes:

1. The Value of a Good Name: Character is more valuable than wealth (v. 1).
2. God Made All: Rich and poor share the same Maker (v. 2).
3. Humility and Fear of the Lord: These bring life and honor (v. 4).
4. Parental Instruction: Parents shape the direction of a child’s life (v. 6).
5. Debt and Slavery: Borrowing creates bondage (v. 7).
6. Generosity and Blessing: Giving to the poor brings divine favor (v. 9).
7. The Power of Influence: Avoid angry or foolish companions (v. 24–25).
8. Justice for the Poor: God defends the oppressed (v. 22–23).
9. Skill in Work: Excellence leads to honor (v. 29).

Reflection and Impact

Proverbs 22 pushes us to examine not just what we do — but who we are becoming.

• A good name matters – “A good name is to be chosen…” (v. 1) echoes Ecclesiastes 7:1.
• God sees all equally – “The Lord is the Maker of them all” (v. 2) matches Acts 17:26: one blood, all nations.
• Humility brings life – “Humility and the fear of the Lord…” (v. 4) reflects James 4:10: humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you.
• Train up a child – (v. 6) parallels Ephesians 6:4: bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
• Avoid angry companions – (v. 24–25) mirrors 1 Corinthians 15:33: bad company corrupts good morals.
• God defends the poor – (v. 22–23) echoes Psalm 140:12: the Lord maintains the cause of the afflicted.
• Excellence before kings – (v. 29) connects with Matthew 25:21: faithful in little → entrusted with more.

Application

• Guard Your Reputation: Choose character over wealth or convenience.
• Walk in Humility: Fear the Lord and trust His reward.
• Give Freely: Treat the poor as God’s treasure.
• Avoid Foolish People: You’ll absorb their habits.
• Parent Intentionally: Train with truth, not just emotion.
• Practice Excellence: Skill brings opportunity under God’s hand.
• Respect Boundaries: Don’t violate what God has established.

Closing Thought

Proverbs 22 reminds us that wisdom shapes legacy.
A life marked by humility, justice, generosity, and discipline creates blessings that last far beyond our own years.

“Humility and the fear of the Lord
Bring riches, honor, and life.”