Proverbs 22

1 Being respected is more important than having great riches. To be well thought of is better than silver or gold.

2 The rich and the poor are alike in that the Lord made them all.

3 The wise see danger ahead and avoid it, but fools keep going and get into trouble.

4 Respecting the Lord and not being proud will bring you wealth, honor, and life.

5 Evil people's lives are like paths covered with thorns and traps. People who guard themselves don't have such problems.

6 Train children how to live right, and when they are old, they will not change.

7 The rich rule over the poor, and borrowers are servants to lenders.

8 Those who plan evil will receive trouble. Their cruel anger will come to an end.

9 Generous people will be blessed, because they share their food with the poor.

10 Get rid of the one who makes fun of wisdom. Then fighting, quarrels, and insults will stop.

11 Whoever loves pure thoughts and kind words will have even the king as a friend.

12 The Lord guards knowledge, but he destroys false words.

13 The lazy person says, "There's a lion outside! I might get killed out in the street!"

14 The words of an unfaithful wife are like a deep trap. Those who make the Lord angry will get caught by them.

15 Every child is full of foolishness, but punishment can get rid of it.

16 Whoever gets rich by mistreating the poor, and gives presents to the wealthy, will become poor.

17 Listen carefully to what wise people say; pay attention to what I am teaching you.

18 It will be good to keep these things in mind so that you are ready to repeat them.

19 I am teaching them to you now so that you will put your trust in the Lord.

20 I have written thirty sayings for you, which give knowledge and good advice.

21 I am teaching you true and reliable words so that you can give true answers to anyone who asks.

22 Do not abuse poor people because they are poor, and do not take away the rights of the needy in court.

23 The Lord will defend them in court and will take the life of those who take away their rights.

24 Don't make friends with quick-tempered people or spend time with those who have bad tempers.

25 If you do, you will be like them. Then you will be in real danger.

26 Don't promise to pay what someone else owes, and don't guarantee anyone's loan.

27 If you cannot pay the loan, your own bed may be taken right out from under you.

28 Don't move an old stone that marks a border, because those stones were set up by your ancestors.

29 Do you see people skilled in their work? They will work for kings, not for ordinary people.

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Proverbs 22 Commentary

Chapter 22

Verse 1 We should be more careful to do that by which we may get and keep a good name, than to raise or add unto a great estate. Verse 2 . Divine Providence has so ordered it, that some are rich, and others poor, but all are guilty before God; and at the throne of God's grace the poor are as welcome as the rich. Verse 3 . Faith foresees the evil coming upon sinners, and looks to Jesus Christ as the sure refuge from the storm. Verse 4 . Where the fear of God is, there will be humility. And much is to be enjoyed by it; spiritual riches, and eternal life at last. Verse 5 . The way of sin is vexatious and dangerous. But the way of duty is safe and easy. Verse 6 . Train children, not in the way they would go, that of their corrupt hearts, but in the way they should go; in which, if you love them, you would have them go. As soon as possible every child should be led to the knowledge of the Saviour. Verse 7 . This shows how important it is for every man to keep out of debt. As to the things of this life, there is a difference between the rich and the poor; but let the poor remember, it is the Lord that made the difference. Verse 8 . The power which many abuse, will soon fail them. Verse 9 . He that seeks to relieve the wants and miseries of others shall be blessed. Verse 10 . Profane scoffers and revilers disturb the peace. Verse 11 . God will be the Friend of a man in whose spirit there is no guile; this honour have all the saints. Verse 12 . God turns the counsels and designs of treacherous men to their own confusion. Verse 13 . The slothful man talks of a lion without, but considers not his real danger from the devil, that roaring lion within, and from his own slothfulness, which kills him. Verse 14 . The vile sin of licentiousness commonly besots the mind beyond recovery. Verse 15 . Sin is foolishness, it is in the heart, there is an inward inclination to sin: children bring it into the world with them; and it cleaves close to the soul. We all need to be corrected by our heavenly Father. Verse 16 . We are but stewards, and must distribute what God intrusts to our care, according to his will. ( 17-21 ) . To these words, to this knowledge, the ear must be bowed down, and the heart applied by faith and love. To live a life of delight in God and dependence on him, is the foundation of all practical religion. The way to know the certainty of the ( proverbs 22:22-23 ) that robs and oppresses the poor, does so at his peril. And if ( proverbs 22:24-25 ) hearts have so much tinder in them, that it is dangerous to have to do with those that throw about the sparks of their passion. ( proverbs 22:26-27 ) those are not so, who, by folly or other carelessness, waste what they have. Verse 28 . We are taught not to trespass on another man's right. And it is hard to find a truly industrious man. Such a man will rise. Seest thou a man diligent in the business of religion? He is likely to excel. Let us then be diligent in God's work.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 10

This chapter contains an account of the queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon to her great satisfaction, 1Ki 10:1-13, of Solomon's merchandise and riches, and the magnificence of his court, 1Ki 10:14-23, of the rich presents sent to him, and of the purchase of chariots and horses, and other things, he made, 1Ki 10:24-29.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible