New Living Translation
Proverbs 20:22
22Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
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
20If you insult your father or mother, your light will be snuffed out in total darkness. 21An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter. 23The Lord detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales. 24The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the 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 you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.
- Proverbs 24:29And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!”
- Deuteronomy 32:35I will take revenge; I will pay them back. In due time their feet will slip. Their day of disaster will arrive, and their destiny will overtake them.’
- Romans 12:17Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
- 1 Peter 3:9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
- 2 Samuel 6:12Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration.
- Psalms 27:14Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
- Psalms 37:34Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.
- Isaiah 40:31But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
- Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.
- 1 Peter 2:23He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
- 1 Peter 4:19So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
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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