KJV King James Version
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Proverbs 20:22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
WEB World English Bible
Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
ASV American Standard Version
Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
Do not say, ‘I recompense evil,’ Wait for Jehovah, and He delivereth thee.
Surrounding context — Proverbs 20
19 He that goeth about [as] a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
23 Divers weights [are] an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance [is] not good.
24 Man’s goings [are] of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 [It is] a snare to the man [who] devoureth [that which is] holy, and after vows to make inquiry.
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.
Cross-references
Romans 12:17-19Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.1 Thessalonians 5:15See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].Proverbs 24:29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.Proverbs 17:13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.1 Peter 3:9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.Deuteronomy 32:35To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.1 Peter 2:23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:Matthew 5:39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.1 Peter 4:19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.2 Samuel 16:12It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.Psalm 37:34Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see [it].Psalm 27:14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.Lamentations 3:25-26The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.Isaiah 40:31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
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