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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 22:17-29
Commentary on Proverbs 22:17-21
(Read Proverbs 22:17-21)
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 word of truth, is to make conscience of our duty.
Commentary on Proverbs 22:22-23
(Read Proverbs 22:22-23)
He that robs and oppresses the poor, does so at his peril. And if men will not appear for them, God will.
Commentary on Proverbs 22:24-25
(Read Proverbs 22:24-25)
Our corrupt 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.
Commentary on Proverbs 22:26-27
(Read Proverbs 22:26-27)
Every man ought to be just to himself, and his family; those are not so, who, by folly or other carelessness, waste what they have.
Commentary on Proverbs 22:28
(Read Proverbs 22:28)
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.