Proverbs 22

1 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 have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.

3 The clever see danger and hide; 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.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; the cautious will keep far from them.

6 Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.

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

8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail.

9 Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.

10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife goes out; quarreling and abuse will cease.

11 Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech will have the king as a friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the faithless.

13 The lazy person says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!"

14 The mouth of a loose woman is a deep pit; he with whom the Lord is angry falls into it.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a boy, but the rod of discipline drives it far away.

16 Oppressing the poor in order to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich, will lead only to loss.

17 The words of the wise: Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your mind to my teaching;

18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today—yes, to you.

20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings of admonition and knowledge,

21 to show you what is right and true, so that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

22 Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate;

23 for the Lord pleads their cause and despoils of life those who despoil them.

24 Make no friends with those given to anger, and do not associate with hotheads,

25 or you may learn their ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

26 Do not be one of those who give pledges, who become surety for debts.

27 If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

28 Do not remove the ancient landmark that your ancestors set up.

29 Do you see those who are skillful in their work? They will serve kings; they will not serve common 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]. Heb [strange]
• [b]. Cn Compare Gk: Heb [Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise]

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.