Proverbs 20:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord, and he will deliver thee.
Douay-Rheims

אַל־תֹּאמַ֥ר אֲשַׁלְּמָה־רָ֑ע קַוֵּ֥ה לַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה וְיֹ֣שַֽׁע לָֽךְ׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Nikolaj Velimirovic

20th centuryChurch Father

Learn from a small child: if he is attacked by someone in the presence of his parents, he does not retaliate in kind, but runs to his parents and bursts into tears. He knows that his parents will protect him. How can it be that you do not know what a small child knows? Your Heavenly Father is always with you. Therefore, be not vengeful.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.

Rom 12:17To no man rendering evil for evil. Providing good things, not only in the sight of God but also in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:19Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.
1 Thess 5:15See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other and towards all men.
Prov 24:29Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I will render to every one according to his work.
Prov 17:13He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
1 Pet 3:9Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
Deut 32:35Revenge is mine, and I will repay them in due time, that their foot may slide: the day of destruction is at hand, and the time makes haste to come.
1 Pet 2:23Who, when he was reviled, did not revile: when he suffered, he threatened not, but delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly.