Proverbs 22

A good name is more desirable than great riches,

And loving favour is better than silver and gold.

²The rich and the poor have this in common:

Allah is the maker of them all.

³A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself;

But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

⁴The result of humility and the fear of Allah

Is wealth, honour, and life.

⁵Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked:

Whoever guards his soul stays from them.

⁶Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it.

⁷The rich rule over the poor.

The borrower is servant to the lender.

⁸He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,

And the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

⁹He who has a generous eye will be blessed;

For he shares his food with the poor.

¹⁰Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out;

Yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

¹¹He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully

Is the king's friend.

¹²The eyes of Allah watch over knowledge;

But he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

¹³The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!

I will be killed in the streets!"

¹⁴The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit:

He who is under Allah's wrath will fall into it.

¹⁵Folly is bound up in the heart of a child:

The rod of discipline drives it far from him.

¹⁶Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich,

Both come to poverty.

¹⁷Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise.

Apply your heart to my teaching.

¹⁸For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you,

If all of them are ready on your lips.

¹⁹That your trust may be in Allah,

I teach you today, even you.

²⁰Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things

Of counsel and knowledge,

²¹To teach you truth, reliable words,

To give sound answers to the ones who sent you?

²²Do not exploit the poor, because he is poor;

And do not crush the needy in court;

²³For Allah will plead their case,

And plunder the life of those who plunder them.

²⁴Do not befriend a hot-tempered man,

And do not associate with one who harbors anger:

²⁵Lest you learn his ways,

And ensnare your soul.

²⁶Don't be one of those who strike hands,

Of those who are collateral for debts.

²⁷If you do not have means to pay,

Why should he take away your bed from under you?

²⁸Do not move the ancient boundary stone,

Which your fathers have set up.

²⁹Do you see a man skilled in his work?

He will serve kings;

He will not serve obscure men.