Proverbs 14:22

22 They err that work evil: but mercy and truth prepare good things.

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.


FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 14:22 In-Context

20 The poor man shall be hateful even to his own neighbour: but the friends of the rich are many.
21 He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that sheweth mercy to the poor, shall be blessed. He that believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy.
22 They err that work evil: but mercy and truth prepare good things.
23 In much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is oftentimes want.
24 The crown of the wise, is their riches: the folly of fools, imprudence.
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