Proverbs 22

A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.

A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.

Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.

The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”

The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.

For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD.

Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,

To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;

for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.

Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger,

lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.

Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.

If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up.

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter presents a collection of wisdom sayings that emphasize moral integrity, reverence for God, and the practical consequences of righteousness and folly. It moves from foundational values like a good name and the fear of the LORD to warnings about association, financial responsibility, and justice for the poor, culminating in an exhortation to heed wise instruction. Situated in the heart of Proverbs, it reflects the book’s central concern: that true wisdom is rooted in the fear of the LORD and shapes every area of life.

Flow.

Begins with the superiority of character over wealth and the shared dignity of rich and poor as God’s creations.
Offers warnings against folly, laziness, adultery, and hot temper, while commending humility, generosity, and discipline.
Highlights the importance of teaching wisdom early and adhering to reliable words.
Concludes with strong ethical instructions against exploiting the vulnerable and taking on reckless debts.

Connections.
Following chapter 21, which contrasts the ways of the righteous and wicked in matters of justice and divine sovereignty (e.g., WCF 3.7, 5.7), chapter 22 deepens the ethical reflection by focusing on personal conduct, child-rearing, and social responsibility. It extends the theme of God’s care for the oppressed (cf. WCF 20.1) and prepares for chapter 23, which continues the “sayings of the wise” () with further instruction on self-control, leadership, and parenting. The call to listen to wisdom in verses 17–21 serves as a hinge linking the shorter maxims to the longer discourses ahead.

What it teaches.
True wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD and issues in humility, justice, and disciplined living (; WCF 7.5). All people, regardless of wealth, bear the image of God and are subject to His care and justice (; WCF 4.2). Parents are responsible for moral and spiritual formation (; BC Art. 36), and oppression of the poor is not only cruel but invites divine retribution (; WCF 24.4). The chapter affirms that disciplined instruction, rooted in truth, is essential for stability and trust in God (; HC LD 32). Sloth, anger, and careless financial commitments are paths to ruin (, 24–27; LC 98).

Apply.
Act justly toward the vulnerable, knowing the LORD defends their cause.

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