English Standard Version
Proverbs 20:22
22Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver 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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
Context of Proverbs 20:22
20If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. 21An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. 23Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good. 24A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his 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 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 what he has done."
- Deuteronomy 32:35Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.'
- Romans 12:17Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
- 1 Peter 3:9Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
- 2 Samuel 6:12And it was told King David, "The Lord has blessed the household 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 to the city of David with rejoicing.
- Psalms 27:14Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; 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 look on when the wicked are cut off.
- Isaiah 40:31but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
- Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
- 1 Peter 2:23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
- 1 Peter 4:19Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries