Proverbs 20:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

NIV: Do not say, "I’ll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

NASB: Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

CSB: Don’t say, "I will avenge this evil!" Wait on the Lord, and he will rescue you.

NLT: Don’t say, 'I will get even for this wrong.' Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

KJV: Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

NKJV: Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.

Solomon advises us not to seek revenge (Proverbs 24:29). Rather, believers should rest assured that God will settle all accounts. To "wait" for God's intervention requires faithful patience. This is not easy, but it's critically important. This counsel agrees with the teaching in Deuteronomy 32:35–36. Moses delivered these words to Israel: "'Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.' For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants." Paul expresses the same sentiment in his writings (Romans 12:19).

When Jesus died on the cross, He did not take vengeance on those who crucified Him. Instead, He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Peter remembered that when Jesus was insulted during His pre-crucifixion trial, He did not lash out in return, or offer threats when He was suffering (1 Peter 2:23). Instead, He "continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). Jesus demonstrated the ideal to which we should all aspire (1 Peter 2:21; 3:9).

There are practical reasons to avoid retribution, as well. Taking revenge tends to create a vicious circle. Someone is wronged, so they retaliate. The victim of that vengeance sees it as unjust, so they take further revenge. The struggle to "settle the score" never settles anything. This escalation into a feud can last for years, or even generations (Proverbs 17:13).

In this section of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 10:1), he again discusses a wide range of subjects. These echo many of the common themes of the book of Proverbs. Solomon warns against foolishness (Proverbs 1:7), hastiness, angering authorities, and the consequences of sin and dishonesty. Several references condemn dishonest business dealings. Others note the value of diligence in making decisions.

This chapter of Proverbs belongs to the second division of the book that extends from Proverbs chapter 10 to chapter 22, in which there are nearly 400 wise sayings. Proverbs 20 continues the collection of Solomon's wise sayings. In this chapter Solomon focuses on numerous things which harm the unwise. Among them are laziness, wrong values, and bad decisions.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.