God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 20:22
22Do not say, “I’ll get even with you!” Wait for the Lord, and he will save 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
20The lamp of the person who curses his father and mother will be snuffed out in total darkness. 21An inheritance quickly obtained in the beginning will never be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I’ll get even with you!” Wait for the Lord, and he will save you. 23A double standard of weights is disgusting to the Lord, and dishonest scales are no good. 24The Lord is the one who directs a person’s steps. How then 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 17:13Whoever pays back evil for good— evil will never leave his home.
- Proverbs 24:29Do not say, “I’ll treat him as he treated me. I’ll pay him back for what he has done to me.”
- Deuteronomy 32:35I will take revenge and be satisfied. In due time their foot will slip, because their day of disaster is near. Their doom is coming quickly.
- Romans 12:17Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.
- 1 Peter 3:9Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.
- 2 Samuel 6:12King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed Edom’s home and everything he owns because of the ark of God.” Then David joyfully went to get the ark of God from Obed Edom’s house and bring it to the City of David.
- Psalms 27:14Wait with hope for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the Lord.
- Psalms 37:34Wait with hope for the Lord, and follow his path, and he will honor you by giving you the land. When wicked people are cut off, you will see it.
- Isaiah 40:31Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired.
- Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to anyone who seeks help from him.
- 1 Peter 2:23Christ never verbally abused those who verbally abused him. When he suffered, he didn’t make any threats but left everything to the one who judges fairly.
- 1 Peter 4:19Those who suffer because that is God’s will for them must entrust themselves to a faithful creator and continue to do 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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