Proverbs 22:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

NIV: for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.

NASB: For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, So that they may be ready on your lips.

CSB: For it is pleasing if you keep them within you and if they are constantly on your lips.

NLT: For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.

KJV: For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

NKJV: For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; Let them all be fixed upon your lips,

All "proverbs" are general statements of wisdom. These are not absolute guarantees, but they do present the most likely scenario. A person who takes good advice (Proverbs 12:15) and applies it (Proverbs 1:33) is much more likely to experience success and safety (Proverbs 8:34–36). Following godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) is the most reliable way to avoid disaster (Proverbs 10:16).

Solomon's suggested approach to these teachings is that the reader "keep them within," meaning to memorize them. The psalmist writes in Psalm 119:11: "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." In verse 97 he writes: "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day." In verse 103 he exclaims, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Merely remembering promising ideas is not enough, however. Solomon adds that these teachings should also be "ready on your lips." It is important to know how to apply Scripture in every situation. Scripture was ready on Jesus' lips when He turned aside temptation in the wilderness. He answered each test with a quotation from Scripture (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). The apostle Paul underscores the key role God's Word plays in the Christian's battles with Satan. He writes: "And take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).

Proverbs 22:17–21 presents an appeal to listen to further collected wisdom. This introduces the next section using the phrase "the words of the wise." Solomon urges his audience to hear and apply them. In contrast to the preceding comments, these proverbs are longer and more interconnected.

This chapter completes a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon (Proverbs 10:1). He notes that reputation and godliness are far better than money. He also notes that godly wisdom keeps a person from various dangers. Loving parents use proper discipline to instill wisdom in their children. The last portion of the chapter introduces a new passage, made up of thirty wise teachings which Solomon endorses. This string of advice continues into chapter 24.

This chapter is the last of the second division of the book, including all of chapters 10—21. This section includes some 375 verses, mostly in paired lines. Chapter 22 completes these statements, then introduces a collection of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon. The first five are negative commands, warning to avoid certain vices. Chapter 23 continues with more sayings of advice.

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.