Proverbs 22

1 A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

2 The rich and the poor shake hands as equals - God made them both!

3 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

4 The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

5 The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick; if you know what's good for you, stay clear of it.

6 Point your kids in the right direction - when they're old they won't be lost.

7 The poor are always ruled over by the rich, so don't borrow and put yourself under their power.

8 Whoever sows sin reaps weeds, and bullying anger sputters into nothing.

9 Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor.

10 Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down; you need a break from bickering and griping!

11 God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken; good leaders also delight in their friendship.

12 God guards knowledge with a passion, but he'll have nothing to do with deception.

13 The loafer says, "There's a lion on the loose! If I go out I'll be eaten alive!"

14 The mouth of a whore is a bottomless pit; you'll fall in that pit if you're on the outs with God.

15 Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.

16 Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich - whichever, you'll end up the poorer for it. The Thirty Precepts of the Sages Don't Move Back the Boundary Lines

17 Listen carefully to my wisdom; take to heart what I can teach you. You'll treasure its sweetness deep within;

18 you'll give it bold expression in your speech.

19 To make sure your foundation is trust in God, I'm laying it all out right now just for you.

20 I'm giving you thirty sterling principles - tested guidelines to live by.

21 Believe me - these are truths that work, and will keep you accountable to those who sent you.

22 Don't walk on the poor just because they're poor, and don't use your position to crush the weak,

23 Because God will come to their defense; the life you took, he'll take from you and give back to them.

24 Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads.

25 Bad temper is contagious - don't get infected.

26 Don't gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, hocking your house against a lucky chance.

27 The time will come when you have to pay up; you'll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.

28 Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors.

29 Observe people who are good at their work - skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone.

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.

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.