Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Proverbs » Chapter 22 » Verse 17-21

Proverbs 22:17-21 King James Version (KJV)

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?


Proverbs 22:17-21 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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?


Proverbs 22:17-21 American Standard (ASV)

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?


Proverbs 22:17-21 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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.


Proverbs 22:17-21 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

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?


Proverbs 22:17-21 World English Bible (WEB)

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?


Proverbs 22:17-21 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

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?

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).