Proverbs 22:1-10

1 A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.^[a]

2 The rich and the poor have this in common:^[b] the Lord made them both.^{[c] [d]}

3 A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished.^[e]

4 The result of humility is fear of the Lord, along with wealth, honor, and life.^[f]

5 There are thorns and snares on the path of the crooked;^[g] the one who guards himself stays far from them.

6 Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.^[h]

8 The one who sows injustice will reap disaster,^[i] and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

9 A generous person^[j] will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

10 Drive out a mocker, and conflict goes too; then lawsuits and dishonor will cease.

Proverbs 22:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 10

This chapter contains an account of the queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon to her great satisfaction, 1Ki 10:1-13, of Solomon's merchandise and riches, and the magnificence of his court, 1Ki 10:14-23, of the rich presents sent to him, and of the purchase of chariots and horses, and other things, he made, 1Ki 10:24-29.

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 10:7; 8:10; Ec 7:1
• [b] Lit poor meet
• [c] Lit all
• [d] Pr 29:13; Jb 31:13,15
• [e] Pr 27:12; Isa 26:20
• [f] Pr 15:33; 21:21; 29:23
• [g] Pr 7:23
• [h] Dt 28:12-13
• [i] Jb 4:8; Hs 10:13-14
• [j] Lit Good of eye