Proverbs 22

A Good Name

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.

3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

4 The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

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

8 He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. ^[a]

9 A generous man ^[b] will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

10 Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.

11 He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.

12 The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.

13 The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”

14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

17

Saying 1

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—

18 for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips.

19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you.

20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings ^[c] about counsel and knowledge,

21 to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you?

Saying 2

22 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,

23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.

Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man,

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

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.

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

Saying 5

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone which your fathers have placed.

Saying 6

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

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]. LXX includes God blesses a cheerful and generous man, but foolish works will come to an end; see also 2 Corinthians 9:7.
• [b]. Literally He whose eye is good
• [c]. Or written for you excellent sayings or written for you three times

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.