Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Proverbs » Chapter 22 » Verse 1-29

Proverbs 22:1-29 King James Version (KJV)

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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.

Proverbs 22:1-29 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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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.

Proverbs 22:1-29 American Standard (ASV)

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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.

Proverbs 22:1-29 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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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!

Proverbs 22:1-29 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

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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.

Proverbs 22:1-29 World English Bible (WEB)

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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.

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

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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 » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 22

Commentary on Proverbs 22 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 22

Pro 22:1

Here are two things which are more valuable and which we should covet more than great riches:-

  • 1. To be well spoken of: A name (that is, a good name, a name for good things with God and good people) is rather to be chosen than great riches; that is, we should be more careful to do that by which we may get and keep a good name than that by which we may raise and increase a great estate. Great riches bring great cares with them, expose men to danger, and add no real value to a man. A fool and a knave may have great riches, but a good name makes a man easy and safe, supposes a man wise and honest, redounds to the glory of God, and gives a man a greater opportunity of doing good. By great riches we may relieve the bodily wants of others, but by a good name we may recommend religion to them.
  • 2. To be well beloved, to have an interest in the esteem and affections of all about us; this is better than silver and gold. Christ has neither silver nor gold, but he grew in favour with God and man, Lu. 2:52. This should teach us to look with a holy contempt upon the wealth of this world, not to set our hearts upon that, but with all possible care to think of those things that are lovely and of good report, Phil. 4:8.

Pro 22:2

Note,

  • 1. Among the children of men divine Providence has so ordered it that some are rich and others poor, and these are intermixed in societies: The Lord is the Maker of both, both the author of their being and the disposer of their lot. The greatest man in the world must acknowledge God to be his Maker, and is under the same obligations to be subject to him that the meanest is; and the poorest has the honour to be the work of God's hands as much as the greatest. Have they not all one Father? Mal. 2:10; Job 31:15. God makes some rich, that they may be charitable to the poor, and others poor, that they may be serviceable to the rich; and they have need of one another, 1 Co. 12:21. He make some poor, to exercise their patience, and contentment, and dependence upon God, and others rich, to exercise their thankfulness and beneficence. Even the poor we have always with us; they shall never cease out of the land, nor the rich neither.
  • 2. Notwithstanding the distance that is in many respects between rich and poor, yet in most things they meet together, especially before the Lord, who is the Maker of them all, and regards not the rich more than the poor, Job 34:19. Rich and poor meet together at the bar of God's justice, all guilty before God, concluded under sin, and shapen in iniquity, the rich as much as the poor; and they meet at the throne of God's grace; the poor are as welcome there as the rich. There is the same Christ, the same scripture, the same Spirit, the same covenant of promises, for them both. There is the same heaven for poor saints that there is for rich: Lazarus is in the bosom of Abraham. And there is the same hell for rich sinners that there is for poor. All stand upon the same level before God, as they do also in the grave. The small and great are there.

Pro 22:3

See here,

  • 1. The benefit of wisdom and consideration: A prudent man, by the help of his prudence, will foresee an evil, before it comes, and hide himself; he will be aware when he is entering into a temptation and will put on his armour and stand on his guard. When the clouds are gathering for a storm he takes the warning, and flies to the name of the Lord as his strong tower. Noah foresaw the deluge, Joseph the years of famine, and provided accordingly.
  • 2. The mischief of rashness and inconsideration. The simple, who believe every word that flatters them, will believe none that warns them, and so they pass on and are punished. They venture upon sin, though they are told what will be in the end thereof; they throw themselves into trouble, notwithstanding the fair warning given them, and they repent their presumption when it is too late. See an instance of both these, Ex. 9:20, 21. Nothing is so fatal to precious souls as this, they will not take warning.

Pro 22:4

See here,

  • 1. Wherein religion does very much consist-in humility and the fear of the Lord; that is, walking humbly with God. We must so reverence God's majesty and authority as to submit with all humility to the commands of his word and the disposals of his providence. We must have such low thoughts of ourselves as to behave humbly towards God and man. Where the fear of God is there will be humility.
  • 2. What is to be gotten by it-riches, and honour, and comfort, and long life, in this world, as far as God sees good, at least spiritual riches and honour in the favour of God, and the promises and privileges of the covenant of grace, and eternal life at last.

Pro 22:5

Note

  • 1. The way of sin is vexatious and dangerous: In the way of the froward, that crooked way, which is contrary to the will and word of God, thorns and snares are found, thorns of grief for past sins and snares entangling them in further sin. He that makes no conscience of what he says and does will find himself hampered by that imaginary liberty, and tormented by his pleasures. Froward people, who are soon angry, expose themselves to trouble at every step. Every thing will fret and vex him that will fret and vex at every thing.
  • 2. The way of duty is safe and easy: He that keeps his soul, that watches carefully over his own heart and ways, is far from those thorns and snares, for his way is both plain and pleasant.

Pro 22:6

Here is,

  • 1. A great duty enjoined, particularly to those that are the parents and instructors of children, in order to the propagating of wisdom, that it may not die with them: Train up children in that age of vanity, to keep them from the sins and snares of it, in that learning age, to prepare them for what they are designed for. Catechise them; initiate them; keep them under discipline. Train them as soldiers, who are taught to handle their arms, keep rank, and observe the word of command. Train them up, not in the way they would go (the bias of their corrupt hearts would draw them aside), but in the way they should go, the way in which, if you love them, you would have them go. Train up a child according as he is capable (as some take it), with a gentle hand, as nurses feed children, little and often, Deu. 6:7.
  • 2. A good reason for it, taken from the great advantage of this care and pains with children: When they grow up, when they grow old, it is to be hoped, they will not depart from it. Good impressions made upon them then will abide upon them all their days. Ordinarily the vessel retains the savour with which it was first seasoned. Many indeed have departed from the good way in which they were trained up; Solomon himself did so. But early training may be a means of their recovering themselves, as it is supposed Solomon did. At least the parents will have the comfort of having done their duty and used the means.

Pro 22:7

He had said (v. 2.), Rich and poor meet together; but here he finds, here he shows, that, as to the things of this life, there is a great difference; for,

  • 1. Those that have little will be in subjection to those that have much, because they have dependence upon them, they have received, and expect to receive, support from them: The rich rule over the poor, and too often more than becomes them, with pride and rigour, unlike to God, who, though he be great, yet despises not any. It is part of the affliction of the poor that they must expect to be trampled upon, and part of their duty to be serviceable, as far as they can, to those that are kind to them, and study to be grateful.
  • 2. Those that are but going behindhand find themselves to lie much at the mercy of those that are before hand: The borrower is servant to the lender, is obliged to him, and must sometimes beg, Have patience with me. Therefore it is part of Israel's promised happiness that they should lend and borrow, Deu. 28:12. And it should be our endeavour to keep as much as may be out of debt. Some sell their liberty to gratify their luxury.

Pro 22:8

Note

  • 1. Ill-gotten gains will not prosper: He that sows iniquity, that does an unjust thing in hopes to get by it, shall reap vanity; what he gets will never do him any good nor give him any satisfaction. He will meet nothing but disappointment. Those that create trouble to others do but prepare trouble for themselves. Men shall reap as they sow.
  • 2. Abused power will not last. If the rod of authority turn into a rod of anger, if men rule by passion instead of prudence, and, instead of the public welfare, aim at nothing so much as the gratifying of their own resentments, it shall fail and be broken, and their power shall not bear them out in their exorbitances, Isa. 10:24, 25.

Pro 22:9

Here is,

  • 1. The description of a charitable man; he has a bountiful eye, opposed to the evil eye (ch. 23:6) and the same with the single eye (Mt. 6:22),-an eye that seeks out objects of charity, besides those that offer themselves,-an eye that, upon the sight of one in want and misery, affects the heart with compassion,-an eye that with the alms gives a pleasant look, which makes the alms doubly acceptable. He has also a liberal hand: He gives of his bread to those that need-his bread, the bread appointed for his own eating. He will rather abridge himself than see the poor perish for want; yet he does not give all his bread, but of his bread; the poor shall have their share with his own family.
  • 2. The blessedness of such a man. The loins of the poor will bless them, all about him will speak well of him, and God himself will bless him, in answer to many a good prayer put up for him, and he shall be blessed.

Pro 22:10

See here,

  • 1. What the scorner does. It is implied that he sows discord and makes mischief wherever he comes. Much of the strife and contention which disturb the peace of all societies is owing to the evil interpreter (as some read it), that construes every thing into the worst, to those that despise and deride every one that comes in their way and take a pride in bantering and abusing all mankind.
  • 2. What is to be done with the scorner that will not be reclaimed: Cast him out of your society, as Ishmael, when he mocked Isaac, was thrust out of Abraham's family. Those that would secure the peace must exclude the scorner.

Pro 22:11

Here is,

  • 1. The qualification of an accomplished, a complete gentleman, that is fit to be employed in public business. He must be an honest man, a man that loves pureness of heart and hates all impurity, not only pure from all fleshly lusts, but from all deceit and dissimulation, from all selfishness and sinister designs, that takes care to approve himself a man of sincerity, is just and fair from principle, and delights in nothing more than in keeping his own conscience clean and void of offence. He must also be able to speak with a good grace, not to daub and flatter, but to deliver his sentiments decently and ingeniously, in language clean and smooth as his spirit.
  • 2. The preferment such a man stands fair for: The king, if he be wise and good, and understand his own and his people's interest, will be his friend, will make him of his cabinet-council, as there was one in David's court, and another in Solomon's, that was called the king's friend; or, in any business that he has, the king will befriend him. Some understand it of the King of kings. A man in whose spirit there is no guile, and whose speech is always with grace, God will be his friend, Messiah, the Prince, will be his friend. This honour have all the saints.

Pro 22:12

Here is,

  • 1. The special care God takes to preserve knowledge, that is, to keep up religion in the world by keeping up among men the knowledge of himself and of good and evil, notwithstanding the corruption of mankind, and the artifices of Satan to blind men's minds and keep them in ignorance. It is a wonderful instance of the power and goodness of the eyes of the Lord, that is, his watchful providence. He preserves men of knowledge, wise and good men (2 Chr. 16:9), particularly faithful witnesses, who speak what they know; God protects such, and prospers their counsels. He does by his grace preserve knowledge in such, secures his own work and interest in them. See Prov. 2:7, 8.
  • 2. The just vengeance God takes on those that speak and act against knowledge and against the interests of knowledge and religion in the world: He overthrows the words of the transgressor, and preserves knowledge in spite of him. He defeats all the counsels and designs of false and treacherous men, and turns them to their own confusion.

Pro 22:13

Note,

  • 1. Those that have no love for their business will never want excuses to shake it off. Multitudes are ruined, both for soul and body, by their slothfulness, and yet still they have something or other to say for themselves, so ingenious are men in putting a cheat upon their own souls. And who, I pray, will be the gainer at last, when the pretences will be all rejected as vain and frivolous?
  • 2. Many frighten themselves from real duties by imaginary difficulties: The slothful man has work to do without in the fields, but he fancies there is a lion there; nay, he pretends he dares not go along the streets for fear somebody or other should meet him and kill him. He does not himself think so; he only says so to those that call him up. He talks of a lion without, but considers not his real danger from the devil, that roaring lion, which is in bed with him, and from his own slothfulness, which kills him.

Pro 22:14

This is designed to warn all young men against the lusts of uncleanness. As they regard the welfare of their souls, let them take heed of strange women, lewd women, whom they ought to be strange to, of the mouth of strange women, of the kisses of their lips (ch. 7:13), of the words of their lips, their charms and enticements. Dread them; have nothing to do with them; for,

  • 1. Those who abandon themselves to that sin give proof that they are abandoned of God: it is a deep pit, which those fall into that are abhorred of the Lord, who leaves them to themselves to enter into that temptation, and takes off the bridle of his restraining grace, to punish them for other sins. Value not thyself upon thy being in favour with such women, when it proclaims thee under the wrath of God.
  • 2. It is seldom that they recover themselves, for it is a deep pit; it will be hard getting out of it, it so besots the mind and debauches the conscience, by pleasing the flesh.

Pro 22:15

We have here two very sad considerations:-

  • 1. That corruption is woven into our nature. Sin is foolishness; it is contrary both to our right reason and to our true interest. It is in the heart; there is an inward inclination to sin, to speak and act foolishly. It is in the heart of children; they bring it into the world with them; it is what they were shapen and conceived in. It is not only found there, but it is bound there; it is annexed to the heart (so some); vicious dispositions cleave closely to the soul, are bound to it as the cion to the stock into which it is grafted, which quite alters the property. There is a knot tied between the soul and sin, a true lover's knot; they two became one flesh. It is true of ourselves, it is true of our children, whom we have begotten in our own likeness. O God! thou knowest this foolishness.
  • 2. That correction is necessary to the cure of it. It will not be got out by fair means and gentle methods; there must be strictness and severity, and that which will cause grief. Children need to be corrected, and kept under discipline, by their parents; and we all need to be corrected by our heavenly Father (Heb. 12:6, 7), and under the correction we must stroke down folly and kiss the rod.

Pro 22:16

This shows what evil courses rich men sometimes take, by which, in the end, they will impoverish themselves and provoke God, notwithstanding their abundance, to bring them to want; they oppress the poor and give to the rich.

  • 1. They will not in charity relieve the poor, but withhold from them, that by saving that which is really the best, but which they think the most needless part of their expenses, they may increase their riches; but they will make presents to the rich, and give them great entertainments, either in pride and vain-glory, that they may look great, or in policy, that they may receive it again with advantage. Such shall surely come to want. Many have been beggared by a foolish generosity, but never any by a prudent charity. Christ bids us to invite the poor, Lu. 14:12, 13.
  • 2. They not only will not relieve the poor, but they oppress them, rob the spital, extort from their poor tenants and neighbours, invade the rights of those who have not wherewithal to defend themselves, and then give bribes to the rich, to protect and countenance them in it. But it is all in vain; they shall come to want. Those that rob God, and so make him the enemy, cannot secure themselves by giving to the rich, to make them their friends.

Pro 22:17-21

Solomon here changes his style and manner of speaking. Hitherto, for the most part, since the beginning of ch. 10, he had laid down doctrinal truths, and but now and then dropped a word of exhortation, leaving us to make the application as we went along; but here, to the end of ch. 24, he directs his speech to his son, his pupil, his reader, his hearer, speaking as to a particular person. Hitherto, for the most part, his sense was comprised in one verse, but here usually it is drawn out further. See how Wisdom tries variety of methods with us, lest we should be cloyed with any one. To awaken attention and to assist our application the method of direct address is here adopted. Ministers must not think it enough to preach before their hearers, but must preach to them, nor enough to preach to them all in general, but should address themselves to particular persons, as here: Do thou do so and so. Here is,

  • I. An earnest exhortation to get wisdom and grace, by attending to the words of the wise men, both written and preached, the words of the prophets and priests, and particularly to that knowledge which Solomon in this book gives men of good and evil, sin and duty, rewards and punishments. To these words, to this knowledge, the ear must be bowed down in humility and serious attention and the heart applied by faith, and love, and close consideration. The ear will not serve without the heart.
  • II. Arguments to enforce this exhortation. Consider,
    • 1. The worth and weight of the things themselves which Solomon in this book gives us the knowledge of. They are not trivial things, for amusements and diversion, not jocular proverbs, to be repeated in sport and in order to pass away time. No; they are excellent things, which concern the glory of God, the holiness and happiness of our souls, the welfare of mankind and all communities; they are princely things (so the word is), fit for kings to speak and senates to hear; they are things that concern counsels and knowledge, that is, wise counsels, relating to the most important concerns; things which will not only make us knowing ourselves, but enable us to advise others.
    • 2. The clearness of the discovery of these things and the directing of them to us in particular. "They are made known, publicly known, that all may read,-plainly known, that he that runs may read,-made known this day more fully than ever before, in this day of light and knowledge,-made known in this thy day. But it is only a little while that this light is with thee; perhaps the things that are this day made known to thee, if thou improve not the day of thy visitation, may, before to-morrow, be hidden from thy eyes. They are written, for the greater certainty, and that they may be received and the more safely transmitted pure and entire to posterity. But that which the emphasis is here most laid upon is that they are made known to thee, even to thee, and written to thee, as if it were a letter directed to thee by name. It is suited to thee and to thy case; thou mayest in this glass see thy own face; it is intended for thee, to be a rule to thee, and by it thou must be judged.' We cannot say of these things, "They are good things, but they are nothing to us;' no, they are of the greatest concern imaginable to us.
    • 3. The agreeableness of these things to us, in respect both of comfort and credit.
      • (1.) If we hide them in our hearts, they will be very pleasing and yield us an abundant satisfaction (v. 18): "It is a pleasant thing, and will be thy constant entertainment, if thou keep them within thee; if thou digest them, and be actuated and governed by them, and delivered into them as into a mould.' The form of godliness, when that is rested in, is but a force put upon a man, and he does but do penance in that white clothing; those only that submit to the power of godliness, and make heart-work of it, find the pleasure of it, ch. 2:10.
      • (2.) If we make use of them in our discourse, they will be very becoming, and gain us a good reputation. They shall be fitted in thy lips. "Speak of these things, and thou speakest like thyself, and as is fit for thee to speak considering thy character; thou wilt also have pleasure in speaking of these things as well as in thinking of them.'
    • 4. The advantage designed us by them. The excellent things which God has written to us are not like the commands which the master gives his servant, which are all intended for the benefit of the master, but like those which the master gives his scholar, which are all intended for the benefit of the scholar. These things must be kept by us, for they are written to us,
      • (1.) That we may have a confidence in him and communion with him. That thy trust may be in the Lord, v. 19. We cannot trust in God except in the way of duty; we are therefore taught our duty, that we may have reason to trust in God. Nay, this is itself one great duty we are to learn, and a duty that is the foundation of all practical religion, to live a life of delight in God and dependence on him.
      • (2.) That we may have a satisfaction in our own judgment: "That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mayest know what is truth, mayest plainly distinguish between it and falsehood, and mayest know upon what grounds thou receivest and believest the truths of God.' Note,
        • [1.] It is a desirable thing to know, not only the words of truth, but the certainty of them, that our faith may be intelligent and rational, and may grow up to a full assurance.
        • [2.] The way to know the certainty of the words of truth is to make conscience of our duty; for, if any man do his will, he shall know for certain that the doctrine is of God, Jn. 7:17.
      • (3.) That we may be useful and serviceable to others for their instruction: "That thou mayest give a good account of the words of truth to those that send to thee to consult thee as an oracle,' or (as the margin reads it) "to those that send thee, that employ thee as an agent or ambassador in any business.' Knowledge is given us to do good with, that others may light their candle at our lamp, and that we may in our place serve our generation according to the will of God; and those who make conscience of keeping God's commandments will be best able to give a reason of the hope that is in them.

Pro 22:22-23

After this solemn preface, one would have expected something new and surprising; but no; here is a plain and common, but very needful caution against the barbarous and inhuman practices of oppressing poor people. Observe,

  • I. The sin itself, and that is robbing the poor and making them poorer, taking from those that have but little to lose and so leaving them nothing. It is bad to rob any man, but most absurd to rob the poor, whom we should relieve,-to squeeze those with our power whom we should water with our bounty,-to oppress the afflicted, and so to add affliction to them,-to give judgment against them, and so to patronise those that do rob them, which is as bad as if we robbed them ourselves. Rich men will not suffer themselves to be wronged; poor men cannot help themselves, and therefore we ought to be the more careful not to wrong them.
  • II. The aggravations of the sin.
    • 1. If their inability, by reason of their poverty, to right themselves, embolden us to rob them, it is so much the worse; this is robbing the poor because he is poor; this is not only a base and cowardly thing, to take advantage against a man because he is helpless, but it is unnatural, and proves men worse than beasts.
    • 2. Or, if it be done under the colour of law and justice, that is oppressing the afflicted in the gate, where they ought to be protected from wrong and to have justice done them against those that oppress them.
  • III. The danger that attends this sin. He that robs and oppresses the poor does it at his peril; for,
    • 1. The oppressed will find God their powerful patron. He will plead their cause, and not suffer them to be run down and trampled upon. If men will not appear for them, God will.
    • 2. The oppressors will find him a just avenger. He will make reprisals upon them, will spoil the souls of those that spoil them; he will repay them in spiritual judgments, in curses to their souls. He that robs the poor will be found in the end a murderer of himself.

Pro 22:24-25

Here is,

  • 1. A good caution against being intimate with a passionate man. It is the law of friendship that we accommodate ourselves to our friends and be ready to serve them, and therefore we ought to be wise and wary in the choice of a friend, that we come not under the sacred tie to any one whom it would be our folly to accommodate ourselves to. Thought we must be civil to all, yet we must be careful whom we lay in our bosoms and contract a familiarity with. And, among others, a man who is easily provoked, touchy, and apt to resent affronts, who, when he is in a passion, cares not what he says or does, but grows outrageous, such a one is not fit to be made a friend or companion, for he will be ever and anon angry with us and that will be our trouble, and he will expect that we should, like him, be angry with others, and that will be our sin.
  • 2. Good cause given for this caution: Lest thou learn his way. Those we go with we are apt to grow like. Our corrupt hearts have so much tinder in them that it is dangerous conversing with those that throw about the sparks of their passion. We shall thereby get a snare to our souls, for a disposition to anger is a great snare to any man, and an occasion of much sin. He does not say, "Lest thou have ill language given thee or get a broken head,' but, which is must worse, "Lest thou imitate him, to humour him, and so contract an ill habit.'

Pro 22:26-27

We have here, as often before, a caution against suretiship, as a thing both imprudent and unjust.

  • 1. We must not associate ourselves, nor contract an intimacy, with men of broken fortunes, and reputations, who need and will urge their friends to be bound for them, that they may cheat their neighbours to feed their lusts, and by keeping up a little longer may do the more damage at last to those that give them credit. Have nothing to do with such; be not thou among them.
  • 2. We must not cheat people of their money, by striking hands ourselves, or becoming surety for others, when we have not to pay. If a man by the divine providence is disabled to pay his debts, he ought to be pitied and helped; but he that takes up money or goods himself, or is bound for another, when he knows that he has not wherewithal to pay, or that what he has is so settled that the creditors cannot come at it, does in effect pick his neighbour's pocket, and though, in all cases, compassion is to be used, yet he may thank himself if the law have its course and his bed be taken from under him, which might be taken for a pledge to secure a debt, Ex. 22:26, 27. For, if a man appeared to be so poor that he had nothing else to give for security, he ought to be relieved, and it was honestly done to own it; but, for the recovery of a debt, it seems it might be taken by the summum jus-the strict operation of law.
  • 3. We must not ruin our own estates and families. Every man ought to be just to himself and to his wife and children; those are not so who live above what they have, who by the mismanagement of their own affairs, or by encumbering themselves with debts of others, waste what they have and bring themselves to poverty. We may take joyfully the spoiling of our goods if it be for the testimony of a good conscience; but, if be for our own rashness and folly, we cannot but take it heavily.

Pro 22:28

  • 1. We are here taught not to invade another man's right, though we can find ways of doing it ever so secretly and plausibly, clandestinely and by fraud, without any open force. Let not property in general be entrenched upon, by robbing men of their liberties and privileges, or of any just ways of maintaining them. Let not the property of particular persons be encroached upon. The land-marks, or meer-stones, are standing witnesses to every man's right; let not those be removed quite away, for thence come wars, and fightings, and endless disputes; let them not be removed so as to take from thy neighbour's lot to thy own, for that is downright robbing him and entailing the fraud upon posterity.
  • 2. We may infer hence that a deference is to be paid, in all civil matters, to usages that have prevailed time out of mind and the settled constitutions of government, in which it becomes us to acquiesce, lest an attempt to change it, under pretence of changing it for the better, prove of dangerous consequence.

Pro 22:29

Here is,

  • 1. A plain intimation what a hard thing it is to find a truly ingenious industrious man: "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? Thou wilt not see many such, so epidemical are dulness and slothfulness.' He is here commended who lays out himself to get business, though it be but in a very low and narrow sphere, and is not easy when he is out of business, who loves business, is quick and active in it, and goes through it, not only with constancy and resolution, but with dexterity and expedition, a man of despatch, who knows how to bring a deal of business into a little compass.
  • 2. A moral prognostication of the preferment of such a man; though now he stands before mean men, is employed by them and attends upon them, yet he will rise, and is likely enough to stand before kings, as an ambassador to foreign kings or prime-minister of state to his own. Seest thou a man diligent in the business of religion? He is likely to excel in virtue, and shall stand before the King of kings.