Proverbs 14:22

22 Do they not err that devise evil? Those who devise good meet loyalty and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:22

Do they not err that devise evil?
&c.] Certainly they do; they go astray from the right way, from the word of truth, from the Gospel of Christ, who contrive schemes to commit sin, and do mischief to their neighbours; or who "plough" F20 it, and sow it, and expect a fine harvest; but they will be mistaken, and find it will not turn to account, and that they have took a wrong course, and have gone out of the way: none more mischievous devisers or contrivers of evil than the Papists, and none more sadly and fatally err; but mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise good;
who devise liberal things, to do good to the poor and needy; to their neighbours, their fellow creatures and fellow Christians: such receive grace and "mercy" at the hands of God, and his "truth" will appear in making good all promises to them; mercy and truth will preserve them from the evil way, and guide them in the right way, so that they shall not err as others do; neither from the doctrines of grace and truth, nor from the practice of them.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (vrx) "arant", Baynus; "arantibus", Amama; "verbum proprie significat arare", Piscator.

Proverbs 14:22 In-Context

20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but happy is he who is kind to the poor.
22 Do they not err that devise evil? Those who devise good meet loyalty and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to want.
24 The crown of the wise is their wisdom, but folly is the garland of fools.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.