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Proverbs 22:1-29 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 A good name is more to be desired than great wealth, and to be respected is better than silver and gold.

2 The man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.

3 The sharp man sees the evil and takes cover: the simple go straight on and get into trouble.

4 The reward of a gentle spirit and the fear of the Lord is wealth and honour and life.

5 Thorns and nets are in the way of the twisted: he who keeps watch over his soul will be far from them.

6 If a child is trained up in the right way, even when he is old he will not be turned away from it.

7 The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.

8 By planting the seed of evil a man will get in the grain of sorrow, and the rod of his wrath will be broken.

9 He who is kind will have a blessing, for he gives of his bread to the poor.

10 Send away the man of pride, and argument will go out; truly fighting and shame will come to an end.

11 He whose heart is clean is dear to the Lord; for the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.

13 The hater of work says, There is a lion outside: I will be put to death in the streets.

14 The mouth of strange women is a deep hole: he with whom the Lord is angry will go down into it.

15 Foolish ways are deep-seated in the heart of a child, but the rod of punishment will send them far from him.

16 He who is cruel to the poor for the purpose of increasing his profit, and he who gives to the man of wealth, will only come to be in need.

17 Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.

18 For it is a delight to keep them in your heart, to have them ready on your lips.

19 So that your faith may be in the Lord, I have made them clear to you this day, even to you.

20 Have I not put in writing for you thirty sayings, with wise suggestions and knowledge,

21 To make you see how certain are true words, so that you may give a true answer to those who put questions to you?

22 Do not take away the property of the poor man because he is poor, or be cruel to the crushed ones when they come before the judge:

23 For the Lord will give support to their cause, and take the life of those who take their goods.

24 Do not be friends with a man who is given to wrath; do not go in the company of an angry man:

25 For fear of learning his ways and making a net ready for your soul.

26 Be not one of those who give their hands in an agreement, or of those who make themselves responsible for debts:

27 If you have nothing with which to make payment, he will take away your bed from under you.

28 Let not the old landmark be moved which your fathers have put in place.

29 Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? he will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons.

Commentary on Proverbs 22 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 22

Pr 22:1-29.

1. A good name—(Job 30:8, Hebrew); "good" is supplied here from Ec 7:1.

loving favour—kind regard, that is, of the wise and good.

2. Before God all are on the same footing (Pr 14:31; 17:5).

3. are punished—that is, for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects.

4. humility and the fear of the Lord—are in apposition; one produces the other. On the results, compare Pr 3:16; 8:18.

5. he that … them—Those who properly watch over their own souls are thus preserved from the dangers which attend the way of perverse men (Pr 16:17).

6. Train—initiate, or early instruct.

the way—literally, "his way," that selected for him in which he should go; for early training secures habitual walking in it.

7. The influence of wealth sets aside moral distinctions is implied, and, of course, disapproved (compare Pr 19:6; 21:14, &c.).

8. (Compare Pr 11:18; Ps 109:16-20; Ga 6:7, 8).

the rod … fail—His power to do evil will be destroyed.

9. a bountiful eye—that is, a beneficent disposition.

for he giveth … poor—His acts prove it.

10. Cast out—or drive away. Scorners foster strife by taunts and revilings.

11. (Compare Margin).

pureness of heart—and gentle, kind words win favor, even from kings.

12. preserve—or guard.

knowledge—its principles and possessors.

overthroweth—utterly confounds and destroys the wicked.

13. Frivolous excuses satisfy the indolent man's conscience.

14. The mouth—or flattering speeches (Pr 5:3; 7:5) ensnare man, as pits, beasts. God makes their own sin their punishment.

15. is bound—or firmly fixed. Chastisement deters from crime and so leads to reformation of principle.

16. These two vices pertain to the same selfish feeling. Both are deservedly odious to God and incur punishment.

17. Here begins another division of the book, marked by those encouragements to the pursuit of wisdom, which are found in the earlier chapters. It will be observed that at Pr 22:22-24:12, the proverbs are generally expressed in two verses instead of one (see Introduction).

18. These lessons must be laid up in the mind, and

fitted—or better, "fixed" in the lips so as to be ever ready.

19. That … Lord—This is the design of the instruction.

20. excellent things—or probably of former times.

counsels and knowledge—both advice and instruction.

21. Specially he desires to secure accuracy, so that his pupil may teach others.

22, 23. Here follow ten precepts of two verses each. Though men fail to defend the poor, God will (Pr 17:5; Ps 12:5).

in the gate—place of public gathering (Job 5:4; Ps 69:12).

24, 25. (Compare Pr 2:12-15; 4:14).

25. a snare … soul—The unsuspecting are often misled by bad company.

26, 27. (Compare Pr 6:1; 17:18).

27. should he take, &c.—that is, the creditor.

28. (Compare Pr 23:10). Do not entrench on others (De 19:14; 27:17).

29. Success rewards diligence (Pr 10:4; 21:5).