A Good Name and Discipline
Proverbs 22
The chapter opens by valuing a good name above great wealth and observing that the Lord made both the rich and the poor. It instructs that folly is bound up in a child's heart but discipline drives it far away, warns against oppressing the poor or removing an ancestral landmark, and closes with an appeal to attend carefully to the sayings of the wise.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonA GOOD name is to be chosen in preference to great wealth; and good favour, in preference to gold and silver.
BrentonA fair name is better than much wealth, and good favour is above silver and gold.
GreekΑἱρετώτερον ὄνομα καλὸν ἢ πλοῦτος πολύς, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον χάρις ἀγαθή.
KJVA GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
JPSA good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2
ThomsonThe rich and poor have met each other; and the Lord hath made them both.
BrentonThe rich and the poor meet together; but the Lord made them both.
GreekΠλούσιος καὶ πτωχὸς συνήντησαν ἀλλήλοις, ἀμφοτέρους δὲ ὁ κύριος ἐποίησε.
KJVThe rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
JPSThe rich and the poor meet together— The LORD is the maker of them all.
3
ThomsonA prudent man seeing the wicked severely punished instructeth himself: but the foolish passed heedlessly by and were punished.
BrentonAn intelligent man seeing a bad man severely punished is himself instructed, but fools pass by and are punished.
GreekΠανοῦργος ἰδὼν πονηρὸν τιμωρούμενον κραταιῶς αὐτὸς παιδεύεται, οἱ δὲ ἄφρονες παρελθόντες ἐζημιώθησαν.
KJVA prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
JPSA prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the thoughtless pass on, and are punished.
4
ThomsonThe offspring of wisdom are the fear of the Lord and riches and glory and life.
BrentonThe fear of the Lord is the offspring of wisdom, and wealth, and glory, and life.
GreekΓενεὰ σοφίας φόβος Κυρίου, καὶ πλοῦτος, καὶ δόξα, καὶ ζωή.
KJVBy humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
JPSThe reward of humility is the fear of the LORD, Even riches, and honour, and life.
5
ThomsonThorns and snares are in crooked paths: but he who watcheth his soul shall avoid them.
BrentonThistles and snares are in perverse ways; but he that keeps his soul will refrain from them.
GreekΤρίβολοι καὶ παγίδες ἐν ὁδοῖς σκολιαῖς, ὁ δὲ φυλάσσων τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν ἀφέξεται αὐτῶν.
KJVThorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
JPSThorns and snares are in the way of the froward; He that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.
7
ThomsonThe rich rule over the poor; though servants lend to their own masters.
BrentonThe rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.
GreekΠλούσιοι πτωχῶν ἄρξουσι, καὶ οἰκέται ἰδίοις δεσπόταις δανειοῦσιν.
KJVThe rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
JPSThe rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8
ThomsonHe who soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and [so] complete the punishment of his deeds. God blesseth a cheerful giver; and will supply the deficiency of his works.
BrentonHe that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds.
GreekὉ σπείρων φαῦλα θερίσει κακὰ, πληγὴν δὲ ἔργων αὐτοῦ συντελέσει·
KJV—
JPS—
8a
Thomson—
BrentonGod loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works.
Greekἄνδρα ἱλαρὸν καὶ δότην εὐλογεῖ ὁ Θεὸς, ματαιότητα δὲ ἔργων αὐτοῦ συντελέσει.
KJV—
JPS—
9
ThomsonHe who compassionateth the poor shall be fed; for he gave of his own bread to the poor. He who giveth gifts secureth victory and honour. He indeed taketh away the soul of the receivers.
BrentonHe that has pity on the poor shall himself be maintained; for he has given of his own bread to the poor.
GreekὉ ἐλεῶν πτωχὸν αὐτὸς διατραφήσεται, τῶν γὰρ ἑαυτοῦ ἄρτων ἔδωκε τῷ πτωχῷ·
KJV—
JPS—
9a
Thomson—
BrentonHe that gives liberally secures victory and honour; but he takes away the life of them that possess them.
Greekνίκην καὶ τιμὴν περιποιεῖται ὁ δῶρα δοὺς, τὴν μέντοι ψυχὴν ἀφαιρεῖται τῶν κεκτημένων.
KJV—
JPS—
10
ThomsonExpel from council an overbearing man, and contention will go out with him: for if he sitteth in council he dishonoureth all.
BrentonCast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.
GreekἜκβαλε ἐκ συνεδρίου λοιμὸν, καὶ συνεξελεύσεται αὐτῷ νεῖκος, ὅταν γὰρ καθίσῃ ἐν συνεδρίῳ πάντας ἀτιμάζει.
KJVCast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
JPSCast out the scorner, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and shame will cease.
11
ThomsonThe Lord loveth holy hearts; and all the unspotted are acceptable to him. A king governeth with his lips;
BrentonThe Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.
GreekἈγαπᾷ Κύριος ὁσίας καρδίας, δεκτοὶ δὲ αὐτῷ πάντες ἄμωμοι· χείλεσι ποιμαίνει βασιλεύς.
KJV—
JPS—
12
Thomsonyet the eyes of the Lord preserve discernment; but the transgressor scorneth counsel.
BrentonBut the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises wise words.
GreekΟἱ δὲ ὀφθαλμοὶ Κυρίου διατηροῦσιν αἴσθησιν, φαυλίζει δὲ λόγους παράνομος.
KJVThe eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
JPSThe eyes of the LORD preserve him that hath knowledge, But He overthroweth the words of the faithless man.
13
ThomsonA slothful man maketh excuse and saith, There is a lion in the highways and murderers in the streets.
BrentonThe sluggard makes excuses, and says, There is a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.
GreekΠροφασίζεται, καὶ λέγει ὀκνηρὸς, λέων ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς, ἐν δὲ ταῖς πλατείαις φονευταί.
KJVThe slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
JPSThe sluggard saith: ‘There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.’
14
ThomsonThe mouth of a transgressor is a deep ditch; and he who is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. There are bad ways before man, and he loveth not to avoid them: but he ought to avoid a crooked and bad way.
BrentonThe mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it.
GreekΒόθρος βαθὺς στόμα παρανόμου, ὁ δὲ μισηθεὶς ὑπὸ Κυρίου ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς αὐτόν.
KJVThe mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
JPSThe mouth of strange women is a deep pit: He that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
14a
Thomson—
BrentonEvil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.
Greekεἰσὶν ὁδοὶ κακαὶ ἐνώπιον ἀνδρὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἀγαπᾷ τοῦ ἀποστρέψαι ἀπʼ αὐτῶν, ἀποστρέφειν δὲ δεῖ ἀπὸ ὁδοῦ σκολιᾶς καὶ κακῆς.
KJV—
JPS—
15
ThomsonFolly is bound up in the heart of a child: but a rod and instruction will drive it from him.
BrentonFolly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are then far from him.
GreekἌνοια ἐξῆπται καρδίας νέου, ῥάβδος δὲ καὶ παιδεία μακρὰν ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVFoolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
JPSFoolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16
Thomson—
BrentonHe that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.
GreekὉ συκοφαντῶν πένητα, πολλὰ ποιεῖ τὰ ἑαυτοῦ, δίδωσι δὲ πλουσίῳ ἐπʼ ἐλάσσονι.
KJV—
JPSOne may oppress the poor, yet will their gain increase; One may give to the rich, yet will want come.
17
ThomsonIncline thine ear to the words of the wise, and hear my discourse and apply thy heart, that thou mayst know that they are good.
BrentonIncline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,
GreekΛόγοις σοφῶν παράβαλλε σὸν οὖς, καὶ ἄκουε ἐμὸν λόγον, τὴν δὲ σὴν καρδίαν ἐπίστησον, ἵνα γνῷς ὅτι καλοί εἰσι·
KJVBow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
JPSIncline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
18
ThomsonIf thou indeed wilt lay them up in thy heart; they will give thee delight and be on thy lips.
Brentonthat thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.
Greekκαὶ ἐὰν ἐμβάλῃς αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν καρδίαν σου, εὐφρανοῦσί σε ἅμα ἐπὶ σοῖς χείλεσιν·
KJV—
JPS—
19
ThomsonIn order that thy hope may be upon the Lord; and that he may make known to thee thy way.
BrentonThat thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.
GreekἽνα σου γένηται ἐπὶ Κύριον ἡ ἐλπὶς, καὶ γνωρίσῃ σοι τὴν ὁδόν σου.
KJVThat thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
JPSThat thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
20
ThomsonWrite thou them for thyself three times over; for counsel and knowledge, on the table of thy heart.
BrentonAnd do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.
GreekΚαὶ σὺ δὲ ἀπόγραψαι αὐτὰ σεαυτῷ τρισσῶς, εἰς βουλὴν καὶ γνῶσιν ἐπὶ τὸ πλάτος τῆς καρδίας σου.
KJV—
JPS—
21
ThomsonFor this purpose I teach thee sound doctrine and knowledge good to be listened to: that thou mayst answer them who propound to thee words of truth.
BrentonI therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee.
GreekΔιδάσκω οὖν σε ἀληθῆ λόγον, καὶ γνῶσιν ἀγαθὴν ὑπακούειν, τοῦ ἀποκρίνεσθαί σε λόγους ἀληθείας τοῖς προβαλλομένοις σοι.
KJVThat I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
JPS—
22
ThomsonOppress not the needy because he is poor: nor treat with disrespect at the gates one who is weak.
BrentonDo no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless man in the gates.
GreekΜὴ ἀποβιάζου πένητα, πτωχὸς γὰρ ἐστι, καὶ μὴ ἀτιμάσῃς ἀσθενῆ ἐν πύλαις.
KJV—
JPS—
23
Thomson—
BrentonFor the Lord will plead his cause, and thou shalt deliver thy soul in safety.
GreekὉ γὰρ Κύριος κρινεῖ αὐτοῦ τὴν κρίσιν, καὶ ῥύσῃ σὴν ἄσυλον ψυχήν.
KJVFor the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
JPSFor the LORD will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.
24
ThomsonHave no fellowship with a man addicted to wrath; nor lodge with a friend who is passionate,
BrentonBe not companion to a furious man; neither lodge with a passionate man:
GreekΜὴ ἴσθι ἑταῖρος ἀνδρὶ θυμώδει, φίλῳ δὲ ὀργίλῳ μὴ συναυλίζου·
KJVMake no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
JPS—
25
Thomsonlest thou learn his ways and lay a snare for thine own life.
Brentonlest thou learn of his ways, and get snares to thy soul.
Greekμήποτε μάθῃς τῶν ὁδῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ λάβῃς βρόχους τῇ σῇ ψυχῇ.
KJVLest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
JPSLest thou learn his ways, And get a snare to thy soul.
26
ThomsonDo not out of respect for a person become surety.
BrentonBecome not surety from respect of a man's person.
GreekΜὴ δίδου σεαυτὸν εἰς ἐγγύην αἰσχυνόμενος πρόσωπον·
KJV—
JPS—
27
Thomson—
BrentonFor if those have not whence to give compensation, they will take the bed that is under thee.
GreekἘὰν γὰρ μὴ ἔχῃ πόθεν ἀποτίσῃς, λήψονται τὸ στρῶμα τὸ ὑπὸ τὰς πλευράς σου.
KJVIf thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
JPSIf thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28
ThomsonRemove not ancient boundaries which thy fathers have set.
BrentonRemove not the old landmarks, which thy fathers placed.
GreekΜὴ μέταιρε ὅρια αἰώνια, ἃ ἔθεντο οἱ πατέρες σου.
KJVRemove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
JPSRemove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set.
29
ThomsonA man clear in his perceptions and quick in the despatch of business should stand before kings and not wait on slothful men.
BrentonIt is fit that an observant man and one diligent in his business should attend on kings, and not attend on slothful men.
GreekὉρατικὸν ἄνδρα καὶ ὀξὺν ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ βασιλεῦσι δεῖ παρεστάναι, καὶ μὴ παρεστάναι ἀνδράσι νωθροῖς.
KJVSeest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
JPSSeest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.