Proverbs 22
Big idea: Halfway through this chapter the book changes author. Verses 1–16 finish Solomon's collection with a run about money and its limits, still couplet by couplet. Then verse 17 announces a new document — turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise — and everything after it is different: longer units, direct address, reasons attached, and a collection that counts itself at thirty sayings. The seam is the book's own, not an editor's convenience.
Chapter 22 ends Solomon's collection and opens the words of the wise. Chapter 23 continues that new collection without a break.
22:1–16 — A good name, and the maker of them all
The last sixteen couplets of Solomon's collection, and money runs through nearly all of them — a name valued above it, a lender who owns his borrower, a generous eye, oppression that ends in the oppressor's own poverty. Verse 2 is the run's quiet foundation: the rich and the poor meet on exactly one fact, and it is not negotiable.
1 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 fear of Yahweh is wealth, honor, and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays 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 rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. 8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. 10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop. 11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend. 12 Yahweh’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!” 14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under Yahweh’s wrath will fall into it. 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him. 16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
22:17–29 — The words of the wise: thirty sayings begin
A new author takes over, and announces himself. Where Solomon's collection stated things and moved on, this one addresses a reader directly, gives its own purpose — that your trust may be in Yahweh — and counts itself: thirty excellent things. The sayings that follow run two and three verses long and attach reasons, which is why the reading changes gear here even though nothing in the layout announces it.
17 Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. 19 I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in Yahweh. 20 Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge, 21 To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you? 22 Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court; 23 for Yahweh will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them. 24 Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger, 25 lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul. 26 Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts. 27 If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you? 28 Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up. 29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).