Proverbs 22 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
During the reign of King Solomon (~970-930 BC), with vv.17-31 possibly drawing on the Egyptian 'Instruction of Amenemope' (~1200 BC)
Location
Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel
Audience
The people of Israel, particularly young men, court officials, and leaders
Situation
Proverbs 22 concludes the Solomonic proverbs collection (10:1-22:16) and begins a new section called 'Sayings of the Wise' (22:17-24:22), which shifts from individual proverbs to longer instructional units.
Key Background
The second half of this chapter (vv.17-29) closely parallels the Egyptian wisdom text 'Instruction of Amenemope,' suggesting Israel's wisdom tradition engaged with international wisdom literature. The 'thirty sayings' mentioned in v.20 correspond to the thirty chapters of Amenemope. This cross-cultural borrowing shows that biblical wisdom participates in a broader ancient Near Eastern intellectual tradition while reframing it within Yahweh-centered theology.
A good matters more than great wealth; being is better than silver or gold.
Rich and poor have this in common: made them both.
A person sees danger coming and takes cover; the keep walking straight into it and pay the price.
The result of and for is wealth, honor, and life.
Thorns and traps line the path of the whoever guards their life stays far from them.
a on the and even when they're old they won't leave it.
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a to the lender.
Whoever will and the power behind their rage will fail them.
A person will thrive, because they share their food with those in need.
Get rid of the and conflict goes with them — arguments and insults will stop.
Whoever loves an and speaks with will have the king as a friend.
Yahweh's eyes but he undermines the words of the
The says, "There's a lion outside! I'll be killed in the streets!"
The mouth of a is a whoever Yahweh is angry with falls into it.
is tangled up in a child's heart, but will drive it far from them.
Whoever the to get more, or gives to the rich — both end up with nothing.
Pay attention and listen to the of the apply your mind to what I'm teaching you.
It will be good for you to these you, to have all of them ready on your lips.
I'm teaching you today — yes, you personally — so that your will be in Yahweh.
Haven't I written for you — full of guidance and knowledge —
so you can know what is and bring back an honest report to those who sent you?
Don't the just because they're and don't the in
because Yahweh will up their and will the of those who from them.
Don't make friends with who and don't hang around a
or you'll up their and get yourself
Don't be someone who on a or up for
If you can't pay, they'll the out from you.
Don't move an that your ancestors set in place.
Do you see someone at their They'll stand before kings, not before