221 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

4 Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.

5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Other Translations of Proverbs 22:1-7

King James Version

221 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving loving...: or, favour is better than, etc favour rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

4 By By...: or, The reward of humility, etc humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be 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 ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. the lender: Heb. the man that lendeth

English Standard Version

221 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

2 The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.

3 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.Or The reward for humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and honor and life

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

The Message

221 A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

2 The rich and the poor shake hands as equals - God made them both!

3 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

4 The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

5 The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick; if you know what's good for you, stay clear of it.

6 Point your kids in the right direction - when they're old they won't be lost.

7 The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power.

New King James Version

221 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished.

4 By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards his soul will be 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 rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.

New Living Translation

221 Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

2 The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.

3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

4 True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.

6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

7 Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 22:1-7

Commentary on Proverbs 22:1

(Read Proverbs 22:1)

We should be more careful to do that by which we may get and keep a good name, than to raise or add unto a great estate.

Commentary on Proverbs 22:2

(Read Proverbs 22:2)

Divine Providence has so ordered it, that some are rich, and others poor, but all are guilty before God; and at the throne of God's grace the poor are as welcome as the rich.

Commentary on Proverbs 22:3

(Read Proverbs 22:3)

Faith foresees the evil coming upon sinners, and looks to Jesus Christ as the sure refuge from the storm.

Commentary on Proverbs 22:4

(Read Proverbs 22:4)

Where the fear of God is, there will be humility. And much is to be enjoyed by it; spiritual riches, and eternal life at last.

Commentary on Proverbs 22:5

(Read Proverbs 22:5)

The way of sin is vexatious and dangerous. But the way of duty is safe and easy.

Commentary on Proverbs 22:6

(Read Proverbs 22:6)

Train children, not in the way they would go, that of their corrupt hearts, but in the way they should go; in which, if you love them, you would have them go. As soon as possible every child should be led to the knowledge of the Saviour.

Commentary on Proverbs 22:7

(Read Proverbs 22:7)

This shows how important it is for every man to keep out of debt. As to the things of this life, there is a difference between the rich and the poor; but let the poor remember, it is the Lord that made the difference.