wisdom library

Proverbs 22 — NIV

A Good Name and the Training of Children

Proverbs 22 values a good name and generosity above riches, calls parents to train up children, and opens the ‘Sayings of the Wise’ with warnings against oppressing the poor.

Proverbs 22:1“1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”

Proverbs 22:2“2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.”

Proverbs 22:3“3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”

Proverbs 22:4“4 Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”

Proverbs 22:5“5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.”

Proverbs 22:6“6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Proverbs 22:7“7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”

Proverbs 22:8“8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.”

Proverbs 22:9“9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”

Proverbs 22:10“10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.”

Proverbs 22:11“11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.”

Proverbs 22:12“12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.”

Proverbs 22:13“13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!””

Proverbs 22:14“14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.”

Proverbs 22:15“15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.”

Proverbs 22:16“16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.”

Proverbs 22:17“Thirty Sayings of the Wise Saying 1 17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,”

Proverbs 22:18“18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.”

Proverbs 22:19“19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.”

Proverbs 22:20“20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,”

Proverbs 22:21“21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?”

Proverbs 22:22“Saying 2 22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,”

Proverbs 22:23“23 for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.”

Proverbs 22:24“Saying 3 24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,”

Proverbs 22:25“25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”

Proverbs 22:26“Saying 4 26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;”

Proverbs 22:27“27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.”

Proverbs 22:28“Saying 5 28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.”

Proverbs 22:29“Saying 6 29 Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”

Read all of Proverbs 22 (NIV)

devotion

What Truly Makes a Name

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

Proverbs 22:6

Proverbs 22 opens with a value system that runs counter to our culture: a good name is more desirable than great riches. It’s worth asking what you’d rather be known for — your bank account or your character. This chapter reminds us that reputation built on integrity outlasts and outweighs wealth that can vanish overnight. It also levels the playing field between rich and poor: the Lord is the Maker of them all. No matter your income or status, you share the same Maker as everyone around you, which should shape how you treat people regardless of their circumstances. This truth flows directly into the chapter’s warning not to exploit the poor — because the Lord Himself will take up their case. One of the chapter’s most quoted verses speaks to parents and mentors: start children off on the way they should go, and even when old they will not turn from it. This isn’t a formula guaranteeing outcomes, but a call to intentional, consistent, early investment in the next generation — an investment that shapes a lifetime. The chapter closes by honoring skilled, diligent work — someone skilled will serve before kings. Whatever your work looks like today, this chapter invites you to build a good name through integrity, treat every person as equally made by God, invest in the children in your life, and pursue your craft with diligence worthy of honor.

wisdom · knowledge · understanding

Deeper Study

🌿Wisdom

Proverbs 22 teaches that wisdom values character and relationships — a good name, generosity, and diligent skill — over the pursuit of wealth alone. It also calls the wise to protect and invest in the vulnerable, especially children and the poor.

✦Choose an action this week that builds your good name rather than your bank account.
✦Invest intentional time training a child or younger person in wisdom.
✦Share generously with someone in need rather than only guarding your own resources.

Proverbs 22:1 · Proverbs 22:6 · Proverbs 22:9

📖Knowledge

This chapter gives concrete facts about equality before God, the value of reputation, and the consequences of exploiting the vulnerable.

✦A good name is more desirable than great riches.
✦The Lord is the Maker of both rich and poor alike.
✦Training a child in the way they should go has lasting impact.
✦The Lord will personally take up the case of the poor who are exploited.

Proverbs 22:1 · Proverbs 22:2 · Proverbs 22:22-23

💡Understanding

This chapter deepens our understanding that how we treat the poor and how we raise children are both matters of eternal consequence, not incidental choices — God takes personal interest in both.

✦Examine whether your daily choices are building the reputation you actually want.
✦Be deliberate and consistent in what you teach the children in your life, in word and example.
✦Advocate for someone vulnerable who might otherwise be overlooked or exploited.

Proverbs 22:6 · Proverbs 22:22-23 · James 1:27

wisdom check

Questions to Sit With

1.What kind of name are your daily choices building for you right now?
2.How do you view and treat people of different economic status than you?
3.What are you intentionally training the children in your life to value?
4.Is there a poor or vulnerable person you’ve overlooked recently?
5.Are you pursuing skill and diligence in your work as an act of worship?