Proverbs 22:17-29

Words of the Wise

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart to my teaching.

18 For [it is] pleasant if you guard them {within you}; together they will be ready upon your lips.

19 [In order] for your trust to be in Yahweh, I have made [them] known to you {today}--even you.

20 Have I not written for you thirty [sayings] with admonitions and knowledge?

21 [In order] to show you what is right--sayings of truth-- [in order] to return a true saying to him who sent you.

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

23 For Yahweh will plead their case and despoil those who despoil them of life.

24 Do not befriend an owner of {anger}, and with a man of wrath you shall not associate;

25 lest you learn his way and become entangled in a snare to yourself.

26 Do not be with those who {give a pledge} {by becoming} surety.

27 If there is nothing for you to pay, why will he take your bed from under you?

28 Do not remove an ancient boundary marker which your ancestors made.

29 A man who is skillful in his work, you shall see: before kings, he will serve; he will not serve before the commoners.

Proverbs 22:17-29 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Footnotes

• [a] Or "mind"
• [b] Literally "in your belly/womb"
• [c] Literally "the day"
• [d] Or "only"
• [e] Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [f] Or "master"
• [g] Literally "nostril"
• [h] Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [i] Literally "strike a hand"
• [j] Literally "in the becomings of"
• [k] Or "complete"
• [l] Or "fathers"