Proverbs 20:22

Proverbs 20:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
• New International Version (NIV)Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

Context of Proverbs 20:22

20Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp [of life] will be extinguished in time of darkness. 21An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait [expectantly] for the Lord, and He will rescue and save you. 23Differing weights are detestable and offensive to the Lord, And fraudulent scales are not good. 24Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the Lord. How then can a man [fully] understand his way?

Proverbs 20:22 word by word

אַל־תֹּאמַ֥ר אֲשַׁלְּמָה־רָ֑ע קַוֵּ֥ה לַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה וְיֹ֣שַֽׁע לָֽךְ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Sayאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• not thou, I will recompenseשָׁלֵםshâlam · to completeH7999
• evilרַעra‛ râ‛âh · bad: evilH7451
• wait onקָוָהqâvâh · to awaitH6960
• the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• and he shall saveיָשַׁעyâsha‛ · to saveH3467

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:22

• Proverbs 17:13Whoever returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.
• Proverbs 24:29Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed.”
• Deuteronomy 32:35Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their disaster is at hand, And their doom hurries to meet them.’
• Romans 12:17Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people.
• 1 Peter 3:9and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].
• 2 Samuel 6:12Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing and gladness.
• Psalms 27:14Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.
• Psalms 37:34Wait for and expect the Lord and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; [In the end] when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
• Isaiah 40:31But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.
• Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word].
• 1 Peter 2:23While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly.
• 1 Peter 4:19Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22I will recompense evil - Wait on the Lord; judgment is his, and his judgments are sure. In the mean time pray for the conversion of your enemy.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22God‘s awarding to everyone according to his works, is the true check to the spirit of vindictiveness (compare Romans 12:17, Romans 12:19). Note that man is not told to wait on the Lord in expectation of seeing vengeance on his enemies, but “He shall save thee.” The difference of the two hopes, in their effect upon the man‘s character, is incalculable.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22Verse 22 Wait on the Lord, attend his pleasure, and he will protect thee.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22See also Romans 12:17–21.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. (Compare Psa 27:14; Ro 12:17-19).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:22

• Malice
• Retaliation
• Waiting

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings