Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 20:22
22Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the Lord, and he will rescue you.
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 mother — his lamp will go out in deep darkness. 21An inheritance gained prematurely will not be blessed ultimately. Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the Lord, and he will rescue you. 23Differing weights are detestable to the Lord, and dishonest scales are unfair. 24Even a courageous person’s steps are determined by the Lord, so how can anyone understand his own way?
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:22 word by word
אַל־תֹּאמַ֥ר אֲשַׁלְּמָה־רָ֑ע קַוֵּ֥ה לַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה וְיֹ֣שַֽׁע לָֽךְ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:22
- Proverbs 17:13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house.
- Proverbs 24:29Don’t say, “I’ll do to him what he did to me; I’ll repay the man for what he has done.”
- Deuteronomy 32:35Vengeance and retribution belong to me. In time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”
- Romans 12:17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
- 1 Peter 3:9not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.
- 2 Samuel 6:12It was reported to King David, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s family and all that belongs to him because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from Obed-edom’s house to the city of David with rejoicing.
- Psalms 27:14Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.
- Psalms 37:34Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. You will watch when the wicked are destroyed.
- Isaiah 40:31but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.
- Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him.
- 1 Peter 2:23when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
- 1 Peter 4:19So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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