Reading Plan · Day 192
Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
Proverbs 22-24
Day 192
Previously · Day 191 · Proverbs 19-21
The previous day's reading covered three chapters that progressed the theme by showing the benefits of managing the causes (actions and words) that resulted in what was planted in your heart, not only for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others.
Day 192 Read
Where You Stopped
Proverbs 22
1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favor rather than silver and gold.
1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Commentary · verse 1
2The rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all.
2The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
Commentary · verse 2
God created all.
3A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Commentary · verse 3
A prudent, or understanding man, could recognize evil and could choose the good and not the evil.
4The reward of humility and the fear of Jehovah Is riches, and honor, and life.
4By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
Commentary · verse 4
Doctrines on this passage
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Commentary · verse 5
Those who guarded their soul would be far from thorns and snares, things that hinder progress.
6Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.
6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Commentary · verse 6
Train a child in the way he should (ought to) go and he will not depart from it. We ought to teach our children HOW to think and when we teach them WHAT to think, always give the WHY. This will lead to a child having understanding and wisdom.
7The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He that soweth iniquity shall reap calamity; And the rod of his wrath shall fail.
7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
Commentary · verses 7-8
You reap what you sow (causality). Are you sowing (planting) iniquity or righteousness?
9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor.
9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Commentary · verse 9
Those with a bountiful eye could see the things they ought to do, one thing being giving to the poor.
10Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.
11He that loveth pureness of heart, For the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.
12The eyes of Jehovah preserve him that hath knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.
10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
Commentary · verses 10-12
God overthrew those who were treacherous/deceitful.
13The sluggard saith, There is a lion without; I shall be slain in the streets.
14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit; He that is abhorred of Jehovah shall fall therein.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
Commentary · verses 13-14
Those who abhorred (defied) God would fall into deception.
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Commentary · verse 15
A "rod of correction" was for the long term benefit of the child. Children did not have understanding. The "rod" should have been used to help them learn by experience until they were able to learn by understanding.
16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain, And he that giveth to the rich, shall come only to want.
16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Commentary · verse 16
Long term gain came when we gave to those who did not have.
17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
Commentary · verse 17
Listen and understand the words of those who lived wisely.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips.
19That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I have made them known to thee this day, even to thee.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
Commentary · verses 18-19
If we applied the words we gained by those who had understanding and wisdom to our lives, we would have trust/faith in God.
20Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge, 21To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?
20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21That 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?
Commentary · verses 20-21
These things were written to us so we would know the words of truth and could share the words of truth with others. Truth was facts that create, a right WHAT with a right HOW/WHY.
22Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.
22Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
Commentary · verses 22-23
God pleaded the cause of the poor and the afflicted so it was encouraged for you to not add to their poverty or affliction. If you did, God would plead their cause against you.
24Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go: 25Lest thou learn his ways, And get a snare to thy soul.
24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
Commentary · verses 24-25
Being a "friend" to those who were given to anger and wrath would cause you to learn their ways. This did not mean you should not interact with these people. Just that you should be aware of who you were interacting with and whether or not you wanted the cause of their actions to be the cause of yours.
26Be thou not one of them that strike hands, Or of them that are sureties for debts.
27If thou hast not wherewith to pay, Why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28Remove not the ancient landmark, Which thy fathers have set.
26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Commentary · verses 26-28
We ought to learn from those who lived before us, from the good and the bad.
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
Commentary · verse 29
Those who were diligent (working profitably) would stand before those who were authorities.
Where You Stopped
Proverbs 23
1When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently him that is before thee; 2And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite.
1When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:
2And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
Commentary · verses 1-2
Humble yourself before those who ruled. If your flesh rose in you, kill it.
3Be not desirous of his dainties; Seeing they are deceitful food.
3Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
Commentary · verse 3
What your flesh would desire was deceit.
4Weary not thyself to be rich; Cease from thine own wisdom.
4Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
Commentary · verse 4
Seek God's Wisdom. Man's wisdom sought short term pleasure, such as riches.
5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.
6Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties: 7For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.
5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Commentary · verses 5-7
What we plant in our heart will come out in our actions: good or bad.
Doctrines on this passage
8The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words.
9Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
8The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
9Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Commentary · verses 8-9
Those who you know that do not have understanding and do not want understanding should not be spoken to as if they did. This would be a case where you are "casting pearls before the swine." See Matthew 7:6.
Doctrines on this passage
10Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against thee.
12Apply thy heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge.
10Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
12Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
Commentary · verses 10-12
Apply your heart to that which will show you your faults and WHY you have them.
13Withhold not correction from the child; For if thou beat him with the rod, he will not die.
13Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
Commentary · verse 13
Short term pain led to long term growth. We ought to correct our children with a right reason (WHY) and in the right way (HOW), in truth.
14Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.
15My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine: 16Yea, my heart will rejoice, When thy lips speak right things.
14Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
15My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
16Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
Commentary · verses 14-16
Like Solomon, fathers were joyful when their children lived wisely.
17Let not thy heart envy sinners; But be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day long: 18For surely there is a reward; And thy hope shall not be cut off.
17Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
18For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.
Commentary · verses 17-18
Being jealous of sinners was only being jealous of a short term benefit. Always fearing God would lead to Reward.
19Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And guide thy heart in the way.
19Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.
Commentary · verse 19
Solomon was encouraging the reader (you? his son?) to understand and be wise.
20Be not among winebibbers, Among gluttonous eaters of flesh: 21For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
20Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
21For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Commentary · verses 20-21
Those who made the physical the cause would come to poverty. Those who made the spiritual the cause would have riches for eternity.
22Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old.
23Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
22Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Commentary · verses 22-23
Buy the truth: value for value. This was not referring to buying with money (physical). See Revelation 3:18 and Mark 8:35.
24The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; And he that begetteth a wise child will have joy of him.
25Let thy father and thy mother be glad, And let her that bare thee rejoice.
26My son, give me thy heart; And let thine eyes delight in my ways.
24The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.
25Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
26My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Commentary · verses 24-26
Solomon wanted his son to live as he did, wisely. Did Solomon live this way his whole life?
27For a harlot is a deep ditch; And a foreign woman is a narrow pit.
27For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
Commentary · verse 27
Did Solomon marry "a foreign woman"?
28Yea, she lieth in wait as a robber, And increaseth the treacherous among men.
29Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes?
30They that tarry long at the wine; They that go to seek out mixed wine.
28She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.
29Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Commentary · verses 28-30
It seemed that Solomon had experience with the effects of making wine (alcohol) a cause.
31Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly: 32At the last it biteth like a serpent, And stingeth like an adder.
31Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
Commentary · verses 31-32
An "adder" was a "poisonous serpent."
33Thine eyes shall behold strange things, And thy heart shall utter perverse things.
34Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, Or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not hurt; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
33Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Where You Stopped
Proverbs 24
1Be not thou envious against evil men; Neither desire to be with them:
1Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Commentary · verse 1
Do not be jealous of evil men or desire to be with them. Evil men were destructive.
2For their heart studieth oppression, And their lips talk of mischief.
2For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Commentary · verse 2
Evil men's hearts meditated (thought deeply) on destruction.
3Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established; 4And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
3Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
4And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Commentary · verses 3-4
Through wisdom a house was built (created), understanding would establish it (foundation), knowledge (facts that were retained) would fill it.
5A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might.
6For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
5A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Commentary · verses 5-6
Our wars ought to be fought with words, wise guidance. See 2 Corinthians 10.
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Commentary · verse 7
Wisdom was out of reach for those who had no understanding.
8He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker.
8He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
Commentary · verse 8
Those who thought to do evil caused evil.
9The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.
9The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
10If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
Commentary · verses 9-10
Strength in the day of adversity came from God. Those who fainted in those times were "small" in strength. "Strength" was "the ability to handle a sudden conflict." In this case, the "conflict" was adversity.
11Deliver them that are carried away unto death, And those that are ready to be slain see that thou hold back.
12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work?
11If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Commentary · verses 11-12
Even if you SAY you do not know something, God knows your heart and you will be judged for every action you have done. The heart does not lie.
13My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste: 14So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off.
15Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place: 16For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
13My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
14So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
15Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
16For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Commentary · verses 13-16
Encouragement to the wicked to not be against the righteous because the righteous would keep on standing when they fell; the righteous would repair the wrongs they had done.
17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown; 18Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.
17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Commentary · verses 17-18
Do not be glad when your enemy falls. If you take action from this gladness, it could cause God to stop the wrath against them. Forgive your enemies and God will judge them. To forgive meant "to state your will that you will not equal out your own Justice." This would allow God to equal out the injustice.
19Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked: 20For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
19Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
20For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
Commentary · verses 19-20
Do not worry yourself with evil-doers. They will not be rewarded and God will judge them.
21My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; And company not with them that are given to change: 22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it?
23These also are sayings of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.
24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous, Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him; 25But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them.
21My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
25But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
Commentary · verses 21-25
Those who rebuked (confronted) the wicked would be given blessings. It ought to be done the right way (HOW) and for the right reason (WHY), even if the wicked did not repent.
26He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.
27Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house.
26Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
27Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
Commentary · verses 26-27
We ought to plan out and administrate our work before we start. If we do not, it could be flawed.
28Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips.
28Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
Commentary · verse 28
Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Doctrines on this passage
29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.
29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Commentary · verse 29
This was equaling out your own Justice. Remember, forgiveness was stating your will that you will not equal out your own Justice. If we equal out Justice ourselves, we relieve God of the ability to equal out Justice Himself.
30I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down.
30I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Commentary · verses 30-31
The work of a slothful man who had no understanding would be overgrown with things that hindered growth.
32Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction:
32Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Commentary · verse 32
Considering well led to receiving instruction. Instruction was being corrected. Considering well led to this because it included considering where you could be wrong.
33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; 34So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man.
33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Commentary · verses 33-34
Spiritual riches would come through contrastive thinking (receiving instruction, counsel) but with the slightest laziness (comparative thinking) would come spiritual poverty.
Commentary · verse 34
This day's reading covered three chapters that gave several specific applications of the themes of the previous chapters. In fact, the examples almost read like a final list, as if this was the end of the Book of Proverbs.
A "good name" was better to be chosen than riches because a "good name" was a name that represented someone who was right and just. Remember, the word "name" meant "cause." Therefore, a "good" name was someone who was focused on "good" causes.