Proverbs 22:23

23 for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.

Proverbs 22:23 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
23 for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.
New Living Translation (NLT)
23 For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
The Message Bible (MSG)
23 Because God will come to their defense; the life you took, he'll take from you and give back to them.
American Standard Version (ASV)
23 For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
23 because the LORD will plead their case and will take the lives of those who rob them.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
23 for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
23 The LORD will stand up for them in court. He will take back the stolen goods from those who have robbed them.

Proverbs 22:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:23

For the Lord will plead their cause
If counsellors at the bar will not, he will; if judges on the bench will not do them justice, he will; he will judge the poor of the people; he will plead their cause, and plead it thoroughly, till he has brought forth judgment unto victory: woe to the man against whom Jehovah pleads; happy the poor on whose side he is; for their Redeemer is mighty, the Lord of hosts is his name, ( Psalms 72:4 ) ( Jeremiah 50:34 ) ; and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them;
they could only spoil the poor of their goods, but the Lord can and will spoil and destroy the souls of the spoilers in hell: or, "spoil them that spoiled their soul" or "life" F11; that is, who spoiled them of their goods, and took away that small pittance they had, which was their life or livelihood; they shall be spoiled themselves that spoil others; the same measure they have meted out shall be measured out to them again; God will destroy them that destroy the earth, even antichrist and his followers, the oppressors of Christ's poor on earth, ( Revelation 11:18 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (vpn mhyebq ta ebqw) "et vim faciet illis, qui animae eorum vim intulerunt", Munster, Vatablus; "et spoliabit eos qui spotiant ipsos anima", Michaelis.

Proverbs 22:23 In-Context

21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?
22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,
23 for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.
24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Job 29:16; Psalms 140:12; Psalms 12:5
  • 2. 1 Samuel 25:39; Esther 8:1; S Esther 9:1; Proverbs 23:10-11
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