Proverbs chapter 22
The collection of Solomon’s 375 proverbs concludes. The collection of 30 sayings of the wise men begins.
THE COLLECTION OF SOLOMON’S PROVERBS CONCLUDES
VERSE 1. A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
A good name. People are entitled to their good name. If we slander them, we destroy their good name. It is a type of violence.
In our day, there is a tidal wave of slander. A tidal wave of inter-personal violence.
VERSE 2. The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.
VERSE 3. A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
sees danger, and hides. It is better to avoid danger than to stumble right into it.
VERSE 4. The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life.
humility. To be humble does not mean being a doormat for other people to walk on.
the fear of the LORD is wealth. In the Old Testament era, some people said if you are holy, God will make you rich. In our day, this view is growing in popularity among professing Christians. Read more »
VERSE 5. Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked: whoever guards his soul stays from them.
VERSE 6. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
VERSE 7. The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
rich rule over the poor. Solomon is not commanding rich people to domineer poor people.
Rather, he is stating an observation.
VERSE 8. He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
VERSE 9. He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.
a generous eye. Would poor people say you are generous to them?
VERSE 10. Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop.
VERSE 11. He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend.
VERSE 12. the LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge; but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
VERSE 13. The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!”
the sluggard. To be called a sluggard is a great biblical insult. Solomon often writes about the sluggardly person. Read more »
VERSE 14. The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it.
an adulteress. Solomon blames women for the sexual infidelities of men.
However, that is cowardly and irresponsible. When men do that, they are denying the truth.
Men should take responsibility for their own actions instead of blaming women.
The Book of Proverbs often reveals a deeply negative view of women. That probably reflects a misogynistic personality on the part of the men who wrote the book. Read more »
VERSE 15. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
VERSE 16. Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
oppresses the poor. In the Bible, to oppress poor people is a great evil, as we see in verse 22 below.
THE 30 SAYINGS OF THE WISE MEN
SUMMARY: The sayings from here to Proverbs 24:34 were written by wise men other than Solomon.
VERSE 17. Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching.
Turn your ear. That is, “pay attention!”
VERSE 18. For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
it is a pleasant thing. To memorize key Bible verses is pleasant. That might not be obvious, at least until you try it. Why not give it a try?
keep them within you. To memorize key Bible verses is very beneficial. This is what we do in our Scripture Memory Project.
VERSE 19. I teach you today, even you, So that your trust may be in the LORD.
So that your trust may be in the LORD. We disciples are to trust the LORD God with all our heart. He offers us the path of true wisdom. Will you trust in him and act upon his leading? Read more »
VERSE 20. Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
VERSE 21. To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you?
VERSE 22. Don’t exploit the poor, because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court;
Don’t exploit the poor. In the Bible, to oppress poor people is a great evil, as we saw in verse 16 above.
VERSE 23. for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.
VERSE 24. Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:
a hot-tempered man. Literally “an owner or possessor of anger.”
In our day, hot-tempered men are gaining ascendency.
VERSE 25. lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul.
lest you learn his ways. We become like the people we associate with.
If we associate with a hot-tempered man, we will gradually become like him.
VERSE 26. Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts.
VERSE 27. If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?
VERSE 28. Don’t move the ancient boundary stone, which your fathers have set up.
VERSE 29. Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.
NIV translation: Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Proverbs and from the entire Bible.
When we work “unto God,” the LORD God is the one who will take notice. He will see to our advancement and promotion.
PROVERBS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Sluggard, Tree of Life, Misogynism
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.