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Texts -- Proverbs 22:17--24:22 (NET)

Context
The Sayings of the Wise
22:17 Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise , and apply your heart to my instruction . 22:18 For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips . 22:19 So that your confidence may be in the Lord , I am making them known to you today – even you . 22:20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge , 22:21 to show you true and reliable words , so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you? 22:22 Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court , 22:23 for the Lord will plead their case and will rob those who are robbing them. 22:24 Do not make friends with an angry person , and do not associate with a wrathful person , 22:25 lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare . 22:26 Do not be one who strikes hands in pledge or who puts up security for debts . 22:27 If you do not have enough to pay , your bed will be taken right out from under you! 22:28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone which was put in place by your ancestors . 22:29 Do you see a person skilled in his work ? He will take his position before kings ; he will not take his position before obscure people. 23:1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler , consider carefully what is before you, 23:2 and put a knife to your throat if you possess a large appetite . 23:3 Do not crave that ruler’s delicacies , for that food is deceptive . 23:4 Do not wear yourself out to become rich ; be wise enough to restrain yourself. 23:5 When you gaze upon riches, they are gone , for they surely make wings for themselves, and fly off into the sky like an eagle ! 23:6 Do not eat the food of a stingy person , do not crave his delicacies ; 23:7 for he is like someone calculating the cost in his mind . “Eat and drink ,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you; 23:8 you will vomit up the little bit you have eaten , and will have wasted your pleasant words . 23:9 Do not speak in the ears of a fool , for he will despise the wisdom of your words . 23:10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone, or take over the fields of the fatherless , 23:11 for their Protector is strong ; he will plead their case against you. 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to the words of knowledge . 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child ; even if you strike him with the rod , he will not die . 23:14 If you strike him with the rod , you will deliver him from death . 23:15 My child , if your heart is wise , then my heart also will be glad ; 23:16 my soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right . 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners , but rather be zealous in fearing the Lord all the time . 23:18 For surely there is a future , and your hope will not be cut off . 23:19 Listen , my child , and be wise , and guide your heart on the right way . 23:20 Do not spend time among drunkards , among those who eat too much meat , 23:21 because drunkards and gluttons become impoverished , and drowsiness clothes them with rags . 23:22 Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old . 23:23 Acquire truth and do not sell it– wisdom , and discipline , and understanding . 23:24 The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly ; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him. 23:25 May your father and your mother have joy ; may she who bore you rejoice . 23:26 Give me your heart , my son , and let your eyes observe my ways ; 23:27 for a prostitute is like a deep pit ; a harlot is like a narrow well . 23:28 Indeed , she lies in wait like a robber , and increases the unfaithful among men . 23:29 Who has woe ? Who has sorrow ? Who has contentions ? Who has complaints ? Who has wounds without cause ? Who has dullness of the eyes ? 23:30 Those who linger over wine , those who go looking for mixed wine . 23:31 Do not look on the wine when it is red , when it sparkles in the cup , when it goes down smoothly . 23:32 Afterward it bites like a snake , and stings like a viper . 23:33 Your eyes will see strange things , and your mind will speak perverse things . 23:34 And you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea , and like one who lies down on the top of the rigging . 23:35 You will say, “They have struck me, but I am not harmed ! They beat me, but I did not know it! When will I awake ? I will look for another drink.” 24:1 Do not envy evil people , do not desire to be with them; 24:2 for their hearts contemplate violence , and their lips speak harm . 24:3 By wisdom a house is built , and through understanding it is established ; 24:4 by knowledge its rooms are filled with all kinds of precious and pleasing treasures . 24:5 A wise warrior is strong , and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger ; 24:6 for with guidance you wage your war , and with numerous advisers there is victory . 24:7 Wisdom is unattainable for a fool ; in court he does not open his mouth . 24:8 The one who plans to do evil will be called a scheming person . 24:9 A foolish scheme is sin , and the scorner is an abomination to people . 24:10 If you faint in the day of trouble , your strength is small ! 24:11 Deliver those being taken away to death , and hold back those slipping to the slaughter . 24:12 If you say , “But we did not know about this ,” does not the one who evaluates hearts consider ? Does not the one who guards your life know ? Will he not repay each person according to his deeds ? 24:13 Eat honey , my child , for it is good , and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste . 24:14 Likewise , know that wisdom is sweet to your soul ; if you find it, you will have a future , and your hope will not be cut off . 24:15 Do not lie in wait like the wicked against the place where the righteous live; do not assault his home . 24:16 Although a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again, but the wicked will be brought down by calamity . 24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls , and when he stumbles do not let your heart rejoice , 24:18 lest the Lord see it, and be displeased , and turn his wrath away from him. 24:19 Do not fret because of evil people or be envious of wicked people , 24:20 for the evil person has no future , and the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished . 24:21 Fear the Lord , my child , as well as the king , and do not associate with rebels , 24:22 for suddenly their destruction will overtake them, and who knows the ruinous judgment both the Lord and the king can bring?

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • Young Men

    [nave] YOUNG MEN. Ex. 24:3-5; 1 Kin. 12:6-15 2 Chr. 10:8. Psa. 119:9; Psa. 148:12, 13; Prov. 1:1-33; Prov. 2:1-22; Prov. 3:1-35; Prov. 4:1-27; Prov. 5:1-23 Prov. 31:1-3. Prov. 6:1-35; Prov. 7:1-27; Prov. 10:1; Prov. 13:1; Prov. 15...

  • Wisdom

    [isbe] WISDOM - wiz'-dum: 1. Linguistic 2. History 3. Religious Basis 4. Ideals 5. Teaching of Christ 6. Remainder of the New Testament (1) James (2) Paul 7. Hypostasis LITERATURE 1. Linguistic: In the Revised Version (British and ...
    [nave] WISDOM Of Joseph, Gen. 41:16, 25-39; Acts 7:10. Of Moses, Acts 7:22. Of Bezaleel, Ex. 31:3-5; 35:31-35; 36:1. Of Aholiab, Ex. 31:6; 35:34, 35; 36:1; of other skilled artisans, Ex. 36:2; of women, Ex. 35:26. Of Hiram, 1 K...

  • FACE

    [isbe] FACE - fas: In Hebrew the translation of three expressions: (1) panim (2) `ayin, literally, "eye" and (3) 'aph, literally, "nose," "nostril," already noted under the word COUNTENANCE, which see. The first and second of these...

  • Drunkeess

    [nave] DRUNKEESS See: TemperanceDeut. 21:20, 21; Deut. 29:19-21; 1 Sam. 1:14; Psa. 69:12; Prov. 20:1; Prov. 21:17; Prov. 23:20, 21, 29-35; Prov. 31:4-7; Isa. 5:11, 12, 22; Isa. 19:14; Isa. 24:9, 11; Isa. 28:1, 3, 7, 8; Isa. 56:12; ...

  • Children

    [nave] CHILDREN In answer to prayer: To Abraham, Gen. 15:2-5, with Gen. 21:1, 2; Isaac, Gen. 25:21; Leah, Gen. 30:17-22; Rachel, Gen. 30:22-24; Haah, 1 Sam. 1:9-20; Zacharias, Luke 1:13. Treatment of, at birth, Ezek. 16:4-6; Luke ...

  • PROVERBS, BOOK OF

    [smith] The title of this book in Hebrew is taken from its first word, mashal , which originally meant "a comparison." It is sometimes translated parable, sometimes proverb as here. The superscriptions which are affixed to several po...

  • Instruction

    [nave] INSTRUCTION From nature, Prov. 24:30-34; Eccl. 1:13-18; 3; 4:1; Matt. 6:25-30. See: Parables. From the study of human nature, Eccl. 3-12. By Object Lessons: The pot of maa, Ex. 16:32. The pillar of twelve stones at the f...

  • Prudence

    [nave] PRUDENCE. Job 34:3, 4; Psa. 39:1; Psa. 112:5; Prov. 6:1, 2; Prov. 8:12; Prov. 11:13, 15, 29; Prov. 12:8, 23; Prov. 13:16; Prov. 14:8, 15, 16, 18; Prov. 15:5, 22; Prov. 16:20, 21; Prov. 17:2, 18; Prov. 18:15, 16; Prov. 19:2;...

  • Wine

    [ebd] The common Hebrew word for wine is yayin, from a root meaning "to boil up," "to be in a ferment." Others derive it from a root meaning "to tread out," and hence the juice of the grape trodden out. The Greek word for wine is ...
    [smith] The manufacture of wine is carried back in the Bible to the age of Noah, (Genesis 9:20,21) to whom the discovery of the process is apparently, though not explicitly, attributed. The natural history and culture of the vine are...
    [nave] WINE Made from grapes, Gen. 40:11; 49:11; Isa. 25:6; Jer. 40:10, 12; from pomegranates, Song 8:2. Kept in jars, Jer. 13:12; 48:12; in skins, Josh. 9:4, 13; Job 32:19; Matt. 9:17; Luke 5:37, 38; in bottles, Josh. 9:4, 13; Jo...

  • DRUNKENNESS

    [isbe] DRUNKENNESS - drunk'-'-n-nes (raweh, shikkaron, shethi; methe): I. Its Prevalance. The Bible affords ample proof that excessive drinking of intoxicants was a common vice among the Hebrews, as among other ancient peoples. Thi...

  • Guest

    [nave] GUEST Salutations to, Gen. 18:2. Abraham's hospitality to, See: Hospitality. Rules for the conduct of, Prov. 23:1-3, 6-8; 25:6, 7, 17; Luke 10:5-7; 14:7-11; 1 Cor. 10:27.

  • PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF

    [isbe] PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF - prov'-erbz: I. THE BOOK'S ACCOUNT OF ITSELF 1. Title and Headings 2. Authorship or Literary Species? II. THE SUCCESSIVE COMPILATIONS 1. The Introductory Section 2. The Classic Nucleus 3. A Body of Sol...

  • DAINTIES; DAINTY (MEATS)

    [isbe] DAINTIES; DAINTY (MEATS) - dan'-tis (maT`ammoth, "things full of taste," man`ammim, ma`adhan; liparos, "fat," "shining"): Jacob is represented as predicting of Asher, "He shall yield royal dainties" (Gen 49:20; compare paral...

  • Associations

    [nave] ASSOCIATIONS, Evil Gen. 19:15; Gen. 49:6; Ex. 23:2, 32, 33 Ex. 34:12-15; Deut. 7:2-4; Josh. 23:6-13. Lev. 18:3 Lev. 20:23. Num. 16:26 vs. 21-26.; Num. 33:55 Judg. 2:1-3. Deut. 12:30; 2 Sam. 23:6, 7; 2 Chr. 19:2; Ezra 9:14;...

  • LANDMARK

    [ebd] a boundary line indicated by a stone, stake, etc. (Deut. 19:14; 27:17; Prov. 22:28; 23:10; Job 24:2). Landmarks could not be removed without incurring the severe displeasure of God.
    [isbe] LANDMARK - land'-mark (gebhul, literally, "boundary"): The boundary may have been marked, as at present, simply by a furrow or stone. The iniquity of removing a landmark is frequently insisted on (Dt 19:14; 27:17; Prov 22:28...

  • Mother

    [nave] MOTHER. Ex. 20:12 Deut. 5:16; Matt. 15:4; 19:19; Mark 7:10; 10:19; Luke 18:20; Eph. 6:2. Ex. 21:15, 17; Lev. 18:7; Lev. 19:3; Lev. 20:9; 1 Kin. 19:20; Prov. 1:8; Prov. 6:20; Prov. 10:1; Prov. 15:20; Prov. 19:26; Prov. 20:20...

  • Poor

    [isbe] POOR - poor ('ebhyon, dal, `ani, rush; ptochos): I. In the Old Testament. The poor have great prominence in the Bible; it is said, indeed, that there should be no poor among the Hebrews because Yahweh should so greatly bless...
    [nave] POOR Atonement money of, uniform with that of the rich, Ex. 30:15. Inexpensive offerings of the poor, Lev. 5:7; 12:8; 14:21, 22. See: Beneficence; Giving; Liberality; Orphans; Poverty; Widow. Also See: Rich; Riches. Uncl...

  • Friendship

    [nave] FRIENDSHIP. Deut. 13:6-9; Job 6:14, 15; Job 16:2, 20; Job 19:13-22; Psa. 35:13, 14; Psa. 41:9; Psa. 55:12-14; Psa. 88:8, 18; Prov. 11:13; Prov. 17:9, 17; Prov. 18:24; Prov. 22:24-27; Prov. 25:17, 19; Prov. 27:6, 9, 10, 14, ...

  • Citizenship

    [nave] CITIZENSHIP. Duties of Ex. 22:28 Acts 23:5. Num. 27:20; Ezra 6:10; Ezra 7:26; Ezra 10:8; Prov. 16:14, 15; Prov. 24:21; Prov. 25:6, 7, 15; Eccl. 8:2-4; Eccl. 10:4, 20; Jer. 29:7; Matt. 17:24-27; Matt. 22:17-21 Mark 12:14-17...

  • Adder

    [ebd] (Ps. 140:3; Rom. 3:13, "asp") is the rendering of, (1.) Akshub ("coiling" or "lying in wait"), properly an asp or viper, found only in this passage. (2.) Pethen ("twisting"), a viper or venomous serpent identified with the c...
    [isbe] ADDER - ad'-er (`akhshubh (Ps 140:3); pethen (Ps 58:4); tsiph`oni (Prov 23:32); shephiphon (Gen 49:17); tsepha` (King James Version margin; Isa 14:29)): This word is used for several Hebrew originals. In each case a poisonou...
    [smith] This word is used for any poisonous snake, and is applied in this general sense by the translators of the Authorized Version. The word adder occurs five times in the text of the Authorized Version (see below), and three times...
    [nave] ADDER, a venomous serpent, Gen. 49:17; Psa. 91:13; 58:4; 140:3; Prov. 23:32.
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Arts

Hymns

(Note: In "active" or "on" condition, the hymns music will be played automatically when mouse hover on a hymns title)
  • [Pro 22:19] Mother’s Goodbye, The
  • [Pro 23:24] Lord Of Life And King Of Glory
  • [Pro 23:26] Give Me Thy Heart
  • [Pro 24:3] Building, Daily Building

Questions

Sermon Illustrations

Ephesians 6:4; Legs of wisdom

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • Ruth carried out Naomi's instructions exactly, further demonstrating her loyal love to her mother-in-law, and encouraged Boaz to pursue the possibility of marriage (vv. 6-9)."Note that the threshingfloor was a public place an...
  • Engedi lay near the Salt Sea's western shore close to its mid-point north to south. Even today it is a refreshing oasis with waterfall, tropical plants, and wild goats. The Hebrew word means "spring of the kid."It may have be...
  • The first decree to destroy the Jews had gone out on April 17, 474 B.C. (3:12).93Ahasuerus published this one allowing the Jews to defend themselves on June 25, 474 B.C. The Jews had over eight months to prepare for the day t...
  • "But it is just here, when everything is blackest, that his faith . . . like the rainbow in the cloud . . . shines with a marvelous splendor."89This short section contains probably the best known verses in the book (vv. 23-27...
  • Proverbs claims to be a compendium of the wise sayings of several different individuals.4Solomon originated some of them (10:1-22:16 and chs. 25-29 definitely, and probably chs. 1-9 as well).5Unnamed wise men (sages) wrote ot...
  • The Book of Proverbs contains no history. It is purely didactic. It is a book of explicit instruction. Like the other Old Testament wisdom books, Job and Ecclesiastes, it does not contain references to Israel's laws, rituals,...
  • I. Discourses on wisdom chs. 1-9A. Introduction to the book 1:1-71. The title of the book 1:12. The purpose of the book 1:2-63. The thesis of the book 1:7B. Instruction for young people 1:8-7:271. Warning against consorting w...
  • Verse one introduces both the book as a whole and chapters 1-9 in particular. The Book of Proverbs is a collection of at least five separate groups of proverbs. There are those that Solomon spoke and or wrote (possibly chs. 1...
  • This verse enjoys almost universal recognition as the key statement not only in Proverbs but in all the wisdom literature of the Bible (cf. 9:10; 15:33; Job 28:28; Ps. 111:10; Eccles. 12:13). Some people think of it as the mo...
  • Chapters 1-9, as we have seen, contain discourses that Solomon evidently wrote urging his sons to choose the way of wisdom for their lives.92At 10:1 we begin the part of the book that sets forth what the wise way is in a vari...
  • As was true in the chapter 10-15 section, this one (16:1-22:16) also becomes more difficult to outline as it ends because there are fewer groupings of proverbs.19:7 The first part of this verse is hyperbole (overstatement to ...
  • A third major section of the Book of Proverbs begins with 22:17. This is clear from several indicators. The proverbs lengthen out again from the typical one verse couplet that characterizes 10:1-26:16 (cf. chs. 1-9). The phra...
  • Many scholars have called attention to the similarities between Proverbs 22:17-24:22, the 30 sayings of the wise, and The Instruction of Amen-em-Ope.157The Instruction of Amen-em-Opeis a piece of Egyptian wisdom literature th...
  • As in chapters 1-9, the writer began this section of the book with an exhortation to hear and give heed to the words of wisdom that follow (22:17-21)."This extended introduction reminds us that the wise sayings were not curio...
  • 22:22-23 Note the chiastic structure in these four lines that unifies the thought of the passage: violence, litigation, litigation, violence. God will avenge the poor on those who oppress them.22:24-25 The writer gave a reaso...
  • 23:13-14 The sage again advocated discipline. Beating with a rod is not the only form of discipline advocated in Proverbs. It is simply one form used here as a poetic parallel to discipline (Heb. musar, moral correction). Oth...
  • The first sentence in 24:23 indicates that what follows was not part of the collection of 30 sayings that preceded. Other wise men (lit. sages) evidently provided these proverbs.24:23-25 This saying advocates justice and stra...
  • Chapters 30 and 31 form a distinct section in Proverbs because neither Solomon (1:1-22:16; chs. 25-29) nor the unnamed sages (22:17-24:34) wrote them. Two other wise men whose names the text records did. Some expositors specu...
  • The quality of wisdom that Proverbs presents is much more than the ability to apply knowledge to various situations in life effectively. It also involves submission to the way of God that is the order of life God has revealed...
  • In this section Solomon expressed his conviction that in view of God's incomprehensible workings all human toil is without permanent profit.3:1-8 As is customary in Ecclesiastes the writer began this section by stating a thes...
  • The next five sections (vv. 1-4, 5-8, 9-11, 12-13, and 14-18) continue the theme of Judah's guilt from the previous chapter. These pericopes have obvious connections with one another, but they were evidently originally separa...
  • This pericope contains 10 commands, and it is the center of the chiasm in chapters 1-3."The Lord's charge to Ezekiel emphasized the absolute necessity of hearing, understanding, and assimilating God's message prior to going f...
  • 16:15 However, Jerusalem became self-centered and unfaithful to the Lord; she forgot Him when she became preoccupied with His blessings (cf. Deut. 6:10-12; 8). She went after every people that passed by rather than remaining ...
  • 1:17 In addition to favor with their overseers, God gave Daniel and his three friends the ability to master the subjects they studied and wisdom in these matters (cf. James 1:5). They may have thought that Nebuchadnezzar had ...
  • 3:19 The determination of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego to withhold the form of allegiance that Nebuchadnezzar required made the king as angry as he could be. He apparently ordered the furnace heated to seven times its nor...
  • Having prepared the prophet for His answer, the Lord now gave it. What follows must be that revelation.2:4 Proud Babylon was not right in doing what she did but was puffed up with pride and evil passions. In contrast, the rig...
  • 5:38 Retaliation was common in the ancient Near East. Frequently it led to vendettas in which escalating vengeance continued for generations. Israel's "law of retaliation"(Lat. lex talionis) limited retaliation to no more tha...
  • This section of verses brings the main body of the Sermon to a climactic conclusion.7:7-8 In view of such hard opposition Jesus' disciples need to pray for God's help. He will always respond positively to their words, though ...
  • From a discussion of discipline Jesus proceeded to stress the importance of forgiveness. Sometimes zealous disciples spend too much time studying church discipline and too little time studying the importance of forgiveness.18...
  • 2:1 Paul used an athletic metaphor to describe his anxieties and deep concerns for his readers and their neighbor Christians. His strivings (1:29) included specific struggles and conflicts for them. Laodicea was about 11 mile...
  • The Ephesian church already had elders long before Paul wrote this letter (Acts 20:17-35)."If our identification of the false teachers as elders is correct, then Paul's reason for this set of instructions is that Timothy must...
  • Evidently a woman claiming to be a prophetess (cf. Luke 2:36; Acts 21:9; 1 Cor. 11:5) had been influencing some in this church to join the local trade guilds without which a tradesman could not work in Thyatira. This meant pa...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. 16. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. 17. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long....
  • The supplement' be thou,' in the second clause of Proverbs 23:17, obscures the close connection of clauses. It is better to regard the verb of the first clause as continued in the second. Thus the one precept is set forth neg...
  • First, note that generalone of Proverbs 23:19, Guide thine heart in the way.' In most general terms, the necessity of self-government is laid down. There is a way' in which we should be content to travel. It is a definite pat...
  • The appeal to filial duty cannot here refer to disciple and teacher, but to child and parents. It does not stand as an isolated precept, but as underscoring the important one which follows. But a word must be spared for it. T...
  • Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. 18. For surely there's an end and thine expectation shall not be cut off.'--Proverbs 23:17-18.THE Book of Proverbs seldom looks beyond the limits of the temporal, but now and ...
  • Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31. Look not thou upon the...
  • If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12. If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth...
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