Proverbs 22:17-29

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

17

Saying 1

17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?

Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,
23 for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.

Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Saying 5

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.

Saying 6

29 Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

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.

Cross References 15

  • 1. S Proverbs 1:8
  • 2. S Proverbs 1:6; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1; Proverbs 5:1
  • 3. S Proverbs 2:2
  • 4. Ecclesiastes 12:10; Luke 1:3-4; 1 Peter 3:15
  • 5. S Leviticus 25:17; S Job 5:16; Zechariah 7:10
  • 6. S Exodus 23:6; Malachi 3:5
  • 7. S Job 29:16; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 12:5
  • 8. 1 Samuel 25:39; Esther 8:1; S Esther 9:1; Proverbs 23:10-11
  • 9. 1 Corinthians 15:33
  • 10. Proverbs 6:1-5; Proverbs 11:15
  • 11. S Proverbs 11:15; S Proverbs 17:18
  • 12. S Deuteronomy 19:14; Proverbs 23:10
  • 13. S 1 Kings 11:28
  • 14. S Genesis 41:46
  • 15. S Genesis 39:4
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