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.
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).