Tags: #generosity #oldtestament #proverbs #proverbs22 #bible #Biblestudy # Proverbs 22 > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] [[#🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application]] [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts]] [[#🔗 Related Passages]] [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] --- ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) 1 Choose a good reputation over great riches;     being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and poor have this in common:     The Lord made them both. 3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.     The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. 4 True humility and fear of the Lord     lead to riches, honor, and long life. 5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;     whoever values life will avoid it. 6 Direct your children onto the right path,     and when they are older, they will not leave it.     [[MM04]] 7 Just as the rich rule the poor,     so the borrower is servant to the lender. 8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,     and their reign of terror will come to an end. 9 Blessed are those who are generous,     because they feed the poor. 10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.     Quarrels and insults will disappear. 11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech     will have the king as a friend. 12 The Lord preserves those with knowledge,     but he ruins the plans of the treacherous. 13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!     If I go outside, I might be killed!” 14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;     those who make the Lord angry will fall into it. 15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,     but physical discipline will drive it far away. 16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor     or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. ### Sayings of the Wise 17 Listen to the words of the wise;     apply your heart to my instruction. 18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart     and always ready on your lips. 19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—     so you will trust in the Lord. 20 I have written thirty sayings for you,     filled with advice and knowledge. 21 In this way, you may know the truth     and take an accurate report to those who sent you. 22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can,     or exploit the needy in court. 23 For the Lord is their defender.     He will ruin anyone who ruins them. 24 Don’t befriend angry people     or associate with hot-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them     and endanger your soul. 26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt     or put up security for someone else. 27 If you can’t pay it,     even your bed will be snatched from under you. 28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers     set up by previous generations. 29 Do you see any truly competent workers?     They will serve kings     rather than working for ordinary people. --- ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary Each verse is important. --- ## 🤔 Interesting Facts - Verse 6—“Train up a child in the way he should go”—is one of the most quoted parenting verses in Scripture. - This chapter marks the beginning of the “Sayings of the Wise” section, distinct from the earlier Solomon proverbs. - Proverbs 22:1 places great value on reputation—“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” - It emphasizes caring for the poor and warning against oppressing them (vv. 22–23). - Several verses deal with practical wisdom for living in society, such as avoiding anger-prone individuals (v. 24). --- ## 🧠 Chapter Summary **Main Teaching**: Proverbs 22 teaches that a good name and reverence for the Lord are more valuable than wealth. It stresses wise parenting, ethical business, humility, and generosity as marks of a wise life. **How It Fits in Proverbs**: This chapter closes the main section of Solomon’s sayings (10–22) and transitions into a new collection. It emphasizes long-term consequences, especially in child-rearing and reputation, reinforcing the generational importance of wisdom. **Apologetic Insight**: Proverbs 22 presents a counter-cultural view that integrity and fear of the Lord outweigh riches. It affirms objective moral training in parenting and rejects the modern notion that character formation should be value-neutral. --- ## 🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application - 📌 A good name is more valuable than great riches. - 📌 Train up children in the way they should go for lifelong direction. - 📌 The Lord is the protector of the vulnerable and just judge of oppressors. #### Today, I can apply this chapter by: - ✅ Choose integrity over popularity, even if it costs you something. - ✅ Avoid debt by living within your means and spending wisely. - ✅ Be intentional about training children in God’s ways through example and teaching. - ✅ Keep your promises and protect your reputation by being trustworthy. - ✅ Distance yourself from angry or hot-tempered people to protect your peace. --- ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember **📖 Proverbs 22:6** “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” - **Why it matters**: A cornerstone parenting verse. It highlights the long-term impact of early spiritual and moral training. --- ## 🔗 Related Passages - 🔗 Isaiah 1:17 – “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed…” - 🔗 Amos 5:24 – “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” - 🔗 Luke 6:45 – “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” --- ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection Write 3–6 sentences reflecting on: - How this chapter encourages your faith, - Convicts your heart, - Reveals God's character. Optional format: "In light of this chapter, I am challenged to..." or "I am comforted by..." --- ## 🛤 Life Application **Today, I can apply this chapter by:** - ✅ Application 1 - ✅ Application 2 Make these very practical: - "Trust God's timing in an uncertain situation." - "Speak truth even when it’s unpopular." --- ## 📂 Tags