Proverbios 22

1 Más vale el buen nombre que las muchas riquezas, y el favor que la plata y el oro.

2 El rico y el pobre tienen un lazo común: el que hizo a ambos es el SEÑOR.

3 El prudente ve el mal y se esconde, mas los simples siguen adelante y son castigados.

4 La recompensa de la humildad y el temor del SEÑOR son la riqueza, el honor y la vida.

5 Espinos y lazos hay en el camino del perverso; el que cuida su alma se alejará de ellos.

6 Enseña al niño el camino en que debe andar, y aún cuando sea viejo no se apartará de él.

7 El rico domina a los pobres, y el deudor es esclavo del acreedor.

8 El que siembra iniquidad segará vanidad, y la vara de su furor perecerá.

9 El generoso será bendito, porque da de su pan al pobre.

10 Echa fuera al escarnecedor y saldrá la discordia, y cesarán también la contienda y la ignominia.

11 El que ama la pureza de corazón tiene gracia en sus labios, y el rey es su amigo.

12 Los ojos del SEÑOR guardan el conocimiento, pero El confunde las palabras del pérfido.

13 El perezoso dice: Hay un león afuera; seré muerto en las calles.

14 Fosa profunda es la boca de las mujeres extrañas; el que es maldito del SEÑOR caerá en ella.

15 La necedad está ligada al corazón del niño; la vara de la disciplina la alejará de él.

16 El que oprime al pobre para engrandecerse, o da al rico, sólo llegará a la pobreza.

17 Inclina tu oído y oye las palabras de los sabios, y aplica tu corazón a mi conocimiento;

18 porque te será agradable si las guardas dentro de ti, para que estén listas en tus labios.

19 Para que tu confianza esté en el SEÑOR, te he instruido hoy a ti también.

20 ¿No te he escrito cosas excelentes de consejo y conocimiento,

21 para hacerte saber la certeza de las palabras de verdad, a fin de que respondas correctamente al que te ha enviado?

22 No robes al pobre, porque es pobre, ni aplastes al afligido en la puerta;

23 porque el SEÑOR defenderá su causa, y quitará la vida de los que los roban.

24 No te asocies con el hombre iracundo; ni andes con el hombre violento,

25 no sea que aprendas sus maneras, y tiendas lazo para tu vida.

26 No estés entre los que dan fianzas, entre los que salen de fiadores de préstamos.

27 Si no tienes con qué pagar, ¿por qué han de quitarte la cama de debajo de ti?

28 No muevas el lindero antiguo que pusieron tus padres.

29 ¿Has visto un hombre diestro en su trabajo? Estará delante de los reyes; no estará delante de hombres sin importancia.

Proverbios 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.

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.