1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
1 A good name H8034 is rather to be chosen H977 than great H7227 riches, H6239 and loving H2896 favour H2580 rather than silver H3701 and gold. H2091
2 The rich H6223 and poor H7326 meet together: H6298 the LORD H3068 is the maker H6213 of them all.
3 A prudent H6175 man foreseeth H7200 the evil, H7451 and hideth H5641 H5641 himself: but the simple H6612 pass on, H5674 and are punished. H6064
4 By H6118 humility H6038 and the fear H3374 of the LORD H3068 are riches, H6239 and honour, H3519 and life. H2416
5 Thorns H6791 and snares H6341 are in the way H1870 of the froward: H6141 he that doth keep H8104 his soul H5315 shall be far H7368 from them.
6 Train up H2596 a child H5288 in the way H1870 he should go: H6310 and when he is old, H2204 he will not depart H5493 from it.
7 The rich H6223 ruleth H4910 over the poor, H7326 and the borrower H3867 is servant H5650 to the lender. H376 H3867
8 He that soweth H2232 iniquity H5766 shall reap H7114 vanity: H205 and the rod H7626 of his anger H5678 shall fail. H3615
9 He that hath a bountiful H2896 eye H5869 shall be blessed; H1288 for he giveth H5414 of his bread H3899 to the poor. H1800
10 Cast out H1644 the scorner, H3887 and contention H4066 shall go out; H3318 yea, strife H1779 and reproach H7036 shall cease. H7673
11 He that loveth H157 pureness H2890 H2889 of heart, H3820 for the grace H2580 of his lips H8193 the king H4428 shall be his friend. H7453
12 The eyes H5869 of the LORD H3068 preserve H5341 knowledge, H1847 and he overthroweth H5557 the words H1697 of the transgressor. H898
13 The slothful H6102 man saith, H559 There is a lion H738 without, H2351 I shall be slain H7523 in H8432 the streets. H7339
14 The mouth H6310 of strange women H2114 is a deep H6013 pit: H7745 he that is abhorred H2194 of the LORD H3068 shall fall H5307 therein.
15 Foolishness H200 is bound H7194 in the heart H3820 of a child; H5288 but the rod H7626 of correction H4148 shall drive it far H7368 from him.
16 He that oppresseth H6231 the poor H1800 to increase H7235 his riches, and he that giveth H5414 to the rich, H6223 shall surely come to want. H4270
17 Bow down H5186 thine ear, H241 and hear H8085 the words H1697 of the wise, H2450 and apply H7896 thine heart H3820 unto my knowledge. H1847
18 For it is a pleasant thing H5273 if thou keep H8104 them within H990 thee; they shall withal H3162 be fitted H3559 in thy lips. H8193
19 That thy trust H4009 may be in the LORD, H3068 I have made known H3045 to thee this day, H3117 even to thee.
20 Have not I written H3789 to thee H8032 excellent things H7991 in counsels H4156 and knowledge, H1847
21 That I might make thee know H3045 the certainty H7189 of the words H561 of truth; H571 that thou mightest answer H7725 the words H561 of truth H571 to them that send H7971 unto thee?
22 Rob H1497 not the poor, H1800 because he is poor: H1800 neither oppress H1792 the afflicted H6041 in the gate: H8179
23 For the LORD H3068 will plead H7378 their cause, H7379 and spoil H6906 the soul H5315 of those that spoiled H6906 them.
24 Make no friendship H7462 with an angry H639 man; H1167 and with a furious H2534 man H376 thou shalt not go: H935
25 Lest thou learn H502 his ways, H734 and get H3947 a snare H4170 to thy soul. H5315
26 Be not thou one of them that strike H8628 hands, H3709 or of them that are sureties H6148 for debts. H4859
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, H7999 why should he take away H3947 thy bed H4904 from under thee?
28 Remove H5253 not the ancient H5769 landmark, H1366 which thy fathers H1 have set. H6213
29 Seest H2372 thou a man H376 diligent H4106 in his business? H4399 he shall stand H3320 before H6440 kings; H4428 he shall not stand H3320 before H6440 mean H2823 men.
1 A `good' name is rather to be chosen than great riches, `And' loving favor rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 The reward of humility `and' the fear of Jehovah `Is' riches, and honor, and life.
5 Thorns `and' snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail.
9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, `For' the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12 The eyes of Jehovah preserve `him that hath' knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion without: I shall be slain in the streets.
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: He that is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall therein.
15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; `But' the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his `gain', `And' he that giveth to the rich, `shall come' only to want.
17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made `them' known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,
21 To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?
22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23 For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.
24 Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:
25 Lest thou learn this ways, And get a snare to thy soul.
26 Be thou not one of them that strike hands, `Or' of them that are sureties for debts.
27 If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set.
29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.
1 A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold -- good grace.
2 Rich and poor have met together, The Maker of them all `is' Jehovah.
3 The prudent hath seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished.
4 The end of humility `is' the fear of Jehovah, Riches, and honour, and life.
5 Thorns -- snares `are' in the way of the perverse, Whoso is keeping his soul is far from them.
6 Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he turneth not from it.
7 The rich over the poor ruleth, And a servant `is' the borrower to the lender.
8 Whoso is sowing perverseness reapeth sorrow, And the rod of his anger weareth out.
9 The good of eye -- he is blessed, For he hath given of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out a scorner -- and contention goeth out, And strife and shame cease.
11 Whoso is loving cleanness of heart, Grace `are' his lips, a king `is' his friend.
12 The eyes of Jehovah have kept knowledge, And He overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
13 The slothful hath said, `A lion `is' without, In the midst of the broad places I am slain.'
14 A deep pit `is' the mouth of strange women, The abhorred of Jehovah falleth there.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of chastisement putteth it far from him.
16 He is oppressing the poor to multiply to him, He is giving to the rich -- only to want.
17 Incline thine ear, and hear words of the wise, And thy heart set to my knowledge,
18 For they are pleasant when thou dost keep them in thy heart, They are prepared together for thy lips.
19 That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I caused thee to know to-day, even thou.
20 Have I not written to thee three times With counsels and knowledge?
21 To cause thee to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending thee.
22 Rob not the poor because he `is' poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate.
23 For Jehovah pleadeth their cause, And hath spoiled the soul of their spoilers.
24 Shew not thyself friendly with an angry man, And with a man of fury go not in,
25 Lest thou learn his paths, And have received a snare to thy soul.
26 Be not thou among those striking hands, Among sureties `for' burdens.
27 If thou hast nothing to pay, Why doth he take thy bed from under thee?
28 Remove not a border of olden times, That thy fathers have made.
29 Hast thou seen a man speedy in his business? Before kings he doth station himself, He stations not himself before obscure men!
1 A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches; loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together; Jehovah is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent [man] seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 The reward of humility [and] the fear of Jehovah is riches, and honour, and life.
5 Thorns [and] snares are in the way of the perverse: he that keepeth his soul holdeth himself far from them.
6 Train up the child according to the tenor of his way, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich ruleth over the poor; and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He that soweth unrighteousness shall reap iniquity, and the rod of his wrath shall have an end.
9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention will depart, and strife and ignominy shall cease.
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, upon whose lips is grace, the king is his friend.
12 The eyes of Jehovah preserve knowledge; but he overthroweth the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion without, I shall be killed in the streets!
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep ditch: he with whom Jehovah is displeased shall fall therein.
15 Folly is bound in the heart of a child; the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16 He that oppresseth the poor, it is to enrich him; he that giveth to the rich, [bringeth] only to want.
17 Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee: they shall be together fitted on thy lips.
19 That thy confidence may be in Jehovah, I have made [them] known to thee this day, even to thee.
20 Have not I written to thee excellent things, in counsels and knowledge,
21 that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?
22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate;
23 for Jehovah will plead their cause, and despoil the soul of those that despoil them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man, and go not with a furious man;
25 lest thou learn his paths, and get a snare to thy soul.
26 Be not of them that strike hands, of them that are sureties for debts:
27 if thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28 Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set.
29 Hast thou seen a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before the mean.
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches, And loving favor is better than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
4 The result of humility and the fear of Yahweh Is wealth, honor, and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: Whoever guards his soul stays from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, And the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed; For he shares his food with the poor.
10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; Yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully Is the king's friend.
12 The eyes of Yahweh watch over knowledge; But he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!"
14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit: He who is under Yahweh's wrath will fall into it.
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: The rod of discipline drives it far from him.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, Both come to poverty.
17 Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, If all of them are ready on your lips.
19 That your trust may be in Yahweh, I teach you today, even you.
20 Haven't I written to you thirty excellent things Of counsel and knowledge,
21 To teach you truth, reliable words, To give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
22 Don't exploit the poor, because he is poor; And don't crush the needy in court;
23 For Yahweh will plead their case, And plunder the life of those who plunder them.
24 Don't befriend a hot-tempered man, And don't associate with one who harbors anger:
25 Lest you learn his ways, And ensnare your soul.
26 Don't you be one of those who strike hands, Of those who are collateral for debts.
27 If you don't have means to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?
28 Don't move the ancient boundary stone, Which your fathers have set up.
29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings; He won't serve obscure men.
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.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 22
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).