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

20He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness. 21An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you. 23Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord, And a false scale is not good. 24Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord, How then can man understand his way?

Proverbs 20:22 word by word

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

• Do not sayאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• I will repayשָׁלֵםshâlam · to completeH7999
• evilרַעra‛ râ‛âh · bad: evilH7451
• Waitקָוָהqâvâh · to awaitH6960
• for the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• and He will saveיָשַׁעyâsha‛ · to saveH3467

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:22

• Proverbs 17:13He who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.
• Proverbs 24:29Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
• Deuteronomy 32:35Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.’
• Romans 12:17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
• 1 Peter 3:9not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
• 2 Samuel 6:12Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.” David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness.
• Psalms 27:14Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.
• Psalms 37:34Wait for the Lord and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
• Isaiah 40:31Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
• Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.
• 1 Peter 2:23and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
• 1 Peter 4:19Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

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