God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 22:29
29Do you see a person who is efficient in his work? He will serve kings. He will not serve unknown people.
Proverbs 22:29 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
- New International Version (NIV)Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
Context of Proverbs 22:29
27If you have no money to pay back a loan, why should your bed be repossessed? 28Do not move an ancient boundary marker that your ancestors set in place. Do you see a person who is efficient in his work? He will serve kings. He will not serve unknown people.
Read all of Proverbs 22Proverbs 22:29 word by word
חָזִ֡יתָ אִ֤ישׁ׀ מָ֘הִ֤יר בִּמְלַאכְתּ֗וֹ לִֽפְנֵֽי־מְלָכִ֥ים יִתְיַצָּ֑ב בַּל־יִ֝תְיַצֵּב לִפְנֵ֥י חֲשֻׁכִּֽים׃ פRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 22:29
- Proverbs 10:4Lazy hands bring poverty, but hard-working hands bring riches.
- Proverbs 12:24Hard-working hands gain control, but lazy hands do slave labor.
- 1 Kings 11:28Solomon saw that Jeroboam was a very able and hardworking man. So he put Jeroboam in charge of all forced labor from the tribes of Joseph.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatever presents itself for you to do, do it with ⌞all⌟ your might, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or skill in the grave where you’re going.
- Matthew 25:21“His master replied, ‘Good job! You’re a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s happiness.’
- Romans 12:11Don’t be lazy in showing your devotion. Use your energy to serve the Lord.
- 2 Timothy 4:2Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach.
Commentaries on Proverbs 22:29
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 29He shalt not stand before mean men - חשכים chashukkim, dark or obscure persons; men of no repute. Na he schal ben before un-noble men - Old MS. Bible. "Not amonge the symple people." - Coverdale. The general meaning of the proverb is, "Every diligent, active man, shall be at once independent and respectable."Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 29The gift of a quick and ready intellect is to lead to high office, it is not to be wasted on a work to which the obscure are adequate.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 29Saying 5: People who improve their skills and work hard will get the best jobs and work for the best employers.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2929. Success rewards diligence (Pr 10:4; 21:5).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 22:29
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 22
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries