Proverbs 24:22

22 For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance by both? [A son that keeps the commandment shall escape destruction; for has fully received it. Let no falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yea, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue. The king's tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoever shall be given up to shall be destroyed: for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours men's bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not fit to be eaten by the young eagles. son, reverence my words, and receive them, and repent.]

Proverbs 24:22 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 24:22

For their calamity shall rise suddenly
And come upon those that fear not God, and rebel against the king and the state, and innovate in matters of religion; and especially that bring in damnable heresies, and, while they cry Peace, peace, and are pleasing themselves with their new schemes and prosperous success, swift and sudden destruction comes upon them, ( 2 Peter 2:1 ) ( 1 Thessalonians 5:3 ) ; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
of those that fear not the Lord, nor the king; or of those who are given to change, and innovate in things civil and religious; and of those who meddle with them and join themselves to them: the ruin of themselves and families, in a civil sense, is great and inexpressible, who rebel against their prince, and endeavour to change and subvert the present government; and the ruin of the souls of men, both of the deceivers and the deceived, is beyond all conception and expression.

Proverbs 24:22 In-Context

20 For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.

21 son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.

22 For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance by both? [A son that keeps the commandment shall escape destruction; for has fully received it. Let no falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yea, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue. The king's tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoever shall be given up to shall be destroyed: for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours men's bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not fit to be eaten by the young eagles. son, reverence my words, and receive them, and repent.]

23 And this thing I say to you that are wise to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb. omits to the end.
• [b]. Lit. be outside of.