Proverbs 14:22

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find^[a] love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22 in Other Translations

22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meetsteadfast love and faithfulness.

22 If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.

22 Isn't it obvious that conspirators lose out, while the thoughtful win love and trust?

22 Don't those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:22

Do they not err that devise evil?
&c.] Certainly they do; they go astray from the right way, from the word of truth, from the Gospel of Christ, who contrive schemes to commit sin, and do mischief to their neighbours; or who "plough" ^F20 it, and sow it, and expect a fine harvest; but they will be mistaken, and find it will not turn to account, and that they have took a wrong course, and have gone out of the way: none more mischievous devisers or contrivers of evil than the Papists, and none more sadly and fatally err; but mercy and truth [shall be] to them that devise good;
who devise liberal things, to do good to the poor and needy; to their neighbours, their fellow creatures and fellow Christians: such receive grace and "mercy" at the hands of God, and his "truth" will appear in making good all promises to them; mercy and truth will preserve them from the evil way, and guide them in the right way, so that they shall not err as others do; neither from the doctrines of grace and truth, nor from the practice of them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (vrx) "arant", Baynus; "arantibus", Amama; "verbum proprie significat arare", Piscator.

Proverbs 14:22 In-Context

20 The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.

21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.

22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 4:16-17

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "show"