Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 20:22
22Do not say, “I will pay back evil!” Wait for Adonai, so He may 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.
- 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
20Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in utter darkness. 21An estate acquired quickly in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I will pay back evil!” Wait for Adonai, so He may deliver You. 23Unbalanced weights are detestable to Adonai, and dishonest scales are wicked. 24A man’s steps are directed by Adonai. 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 rewards evil for good— evil will never leave his house.
- Proverbs 24:29Do not say, “I will do to him what he has done to me; I will pay him back for his deed!”
- Deuteronomy 32:35Vengeance is Mine, and payback, for the time when their foot staggers. Surely their day of disaster is near— what is prepared rushes on them.
- Romans 12:17Repay no one evil for evil; give thought to what is good in the eyes of all people.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
- 1 Peter 3:9Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead—it is for this reason you were called, so that you might inherit a blessing.
- 2 Samuel 6:12Then it was reported to King David saying, “Adonai has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought the ark of God up from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with joy.
- Psalms 27:14Wait for Adonai. Be strong, let Your heart take courage, and wait for Adonai.
- Psalms 37:34Wait for Adonai and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
- Isaiah 40:31but they who wait for Adonai will renew their strength. They will soar up with wings as eagles. They will run, and not grow weary. They will walk, and not be faint.
- Lamentations 3:25Adonai is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.
- 1 Peter 2:23When He was abused, He did not return the abuse. While suffering, He made no threats. Instead, He kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges righteously.
- 1 Peter 4:19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will—let them trust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do 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
Tree of Life Version — © 2015 The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
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