Proverbs 22

1 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.

8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.

9 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.

11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.

12 The LORD preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”

14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap; those who make the LORD angry will fall into it.

15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.

16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

17 Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.

19 I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the LORD .

20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.

21 In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.

22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.

23 For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

24 Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,

25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.

27 If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you.

28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by previous generations.

29 Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.

Proverbs 22 Commentary

Chapter 22

Verse 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. Verse 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. Verse 3 . Faith foresees the evil coming upon sinners, and looks to Jesus Christ as the sure refuge from the storm. Verse 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. Verse 5 . The way of sin is vexatious and dangerous. But the way of duty is safe and easy. Verse 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. Verse 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. Verse 8 . The power which many abuse, will soon fail them. Verse 9 . He that seeks to relieve the wants and miseries of others shall be blessed. Verse 10 . Profane scoffers and revilers disturb the peace. Verse 11 . God will be the Friend of a man in whose spirit there is no guile; this honour have all the saints. Verse 12 . God turns the counsels and designs of treacherous men to their own confusion. Verse 13 . The slothful man talks of a lion without, but considers not his real danger from the devil, that roaring lion within, and from his own slothfulness, which kills him. Verse 14 . The vile sin of licentiousness commonly besots the mind beyond recovery. Verse 15 . Sin is foolishness, it is in the heart, there is an inward inclination to sin: children bring it into the world with them; and it cleaves close to the soul. We all need to be corrected by our heavenly Father. Verse 16 . We are but stewards, and must distribute what God intrusts to our care, according to his will. ( 17-21 ) . To these words, to this knowledge, the ear must be bowed down, and the heart applied by faith and love. To live a life of delight in God and dependence on him, is the foundation of all practical religion. The way to know the certainty of the ( proverbs 22:22-23 ) that robs and oppresses the poor, does so at his peril. And if ( proverbs 22:24-25 ) hearts have so much tinder in them, that it is dangerous to have to do with those that throw about the sparks of their passion. ( proverbs 22:26-27 ) those are not so, who, by folly or other carelessness, waste what they have. Verse 28 . We are taught not to trespass on another man's right. And it is hard to find a truly industrious man. Such a man will rise. Seest thou a man diligent in the business of religion? He is likely to excel. Let us then be diligent in God's work.

Footnotes

• [a]. The Greek version includes an additional proverb: God blesses a man who gives cheerfully, / but his worthless deeds will come to an end. Compare 2 Cor 9:7 .
• [b]. Or excellent sayings; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 10

This chapter contains an account of the queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon to her great satisfaction, 1Ki 10:1-13, of Solomon's merchandise and riches, and the magnificence of his court, 1Ki 10:14-23, of the rich presents sent to him, and of the purchase of chariots and horses, and other things, he made, 1Ki 10:24-29.