Proverbs 22

1 A good reputation is better than much wealth; high esteem is better than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD made them both.

3 Prudent people see trouble and hide, while the simpleminded go right to it and get punished.

4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.

5 Thorns and nets are in the path of the crooked; those who guard their lives keep their distance.

6 Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won't depart from it.

7 The wealthy rule over the poor; a borrower is a slave to a lender.

8 Those who sow injustice will harvest evil; the rod of their fury will come to an end.

9 Happy are generous people, because they give some of their food to the poor.

10 Remove the mocker and conflict disappears; judgment and shame also stop.

11 Those who love a pure heart— their speech is gracious, and the king is their friend.

12 The LORD's eyes protect knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the treacherous.

13 A lazy person says, "There's a lion in the street! I'll be killed in the town square!"

14 The mouth of a mysterious woman is a deep pit; those under the LORD's wrath will fall in it.

15 Folly is bound up in a child's heart; the rod of discipline removes it.

16 Oppressing the poor to get rich and giving to the wealthy lead only to poverty.

Thirty sayings of the wise

17 Turn your ear and hear the words of the wise; focus your mind on my knowledge.

18 It will be pleasant if you keep the words in you, if you have them ready on your lips.

19 So that your trust will be in the LORD, I'm teaching you today—yes, you.

20 Haven't I written for you thirty sayings full of advice and knowledge?

21 Their purpose is to teach you true, reliable words, so you can report back reliably to those who sent you.

22 Don't steal from the poor, because they are poor. Don't oppress the needy in the gate.

23 The LORD will take up their case and press the life out of those who oppress them.

24 Don't befriend people controlled by anger; don't associate with hot-tempered people;

25 otherwise, you will learn their ways and become trapped.

26 Don't shake hands to guarantee a loan.

27 If you can't repay, why should they be able to take your bed from you?

28 Don't remove an ancient boundary marker that your ancestors established.

29 Do you see people who work skillfully? They will work for kings but not work for lowly 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 uncertain
• [b]. Heb 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.