Proverbs 22:17-27

17 ¹Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge;

18 For it will be ²pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be ready on your lips.

19 So that your ³trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you.

20 Have I not written to you ⁴excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,

21 To make you ⁵know the certainty of the words of truth That you may ⁶correctly answer him who sent you?

22 ⁷Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or ⁸crush the afflicted at the gate;

23 For the LORD will ⁹plead their case And take the life of those who rob them.

24 Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a ¹⁰hot-tempered man,

25 Or you will ¹¹learn his ways And find a snare for yourself.

26 Do not be among those who ¹²give * pledges *, Among those who become guarantors for debts.

27 If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he ¹³take your bed from under you?

Proverbs 22:17-27 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.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 5:1
• 2. Proverbs 2:10
• 3. Proverbs 3:5
• 4. Proverbs 8:6
• 5. Luke 1:3, 4
• 6. Proverbs 25:13; 1 Peter 3:15
• 7. Exodus 23:6; Job 31:16; Proverbs 22:16
• 8. Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5
• 9. 1 Samuel 25:39; Psalms 12:5; Psalms 35:10; Psalms 140:12; Proverbs 23:11; Jeremiah 51:36
• 10. Proverbs 29:22
• 11. 1 Corinthians 15:33
• 12. Proverbs 17:18
• 13. Exodus 22:26; Proverbs 20:16

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "They together"
• [b] Lit "made you know"
• [c] Or "previous"
• [d] Lit "truth"
• [e] Lit "return to words of truth"
• [f] Lit "rob the soul"
• [g] Lit "take"
• [h] Lit "strike hands"