Proverbs 22:10-20

10 Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all.

11 The Lord loves holy hearts, and all blameless persons are acceptable with him: a king rules with his lips.

12 But the eyes of the Lord preserve discretion; but the transgressor despises words.

13 The sluggard makes excuses, and says, a lion in the ways, and murderers in the streets.

14 The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way.

15 Folly is attached to the heart of a child, but the rod and instruction are far from him.

16 He that oppresses the poor, increases his own substance, yet gives to the rich so as to make it less.

17 Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,

18 that thou mayest know that they are good: and if thou lay them to heart, they shall also gladden thee on thy lips.

19 That thy hope may be in the Lord, and he may make thy way known to thee.

20 And do thou too repeatedly record them for thyself on the table of thine heart, for counsel and knowledge.

Proverbs 22:10-20 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.