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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 3:28 Do not tell your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I will provide"--when you already have the means.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/20_Pro_03_28.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 3:28 - The Blessings of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not tell your neighbor, Come back tomorrow and I will provide--when you already have the means." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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when thou hast it by thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give <i>it,</i>” When you have it with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give <i>it to you,</i>” When you have it with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, &#8220Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,&#8221 When you have it with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give <i>it,</i>” When you have it with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give <i>it</i>,” When it is there with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later. I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t say to your neighbor, &#8220Go away! Come back later. I&#8217ll give it tomorrow"—when it is there with you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't tell your neighbor to come back tomorrow, if you can help today. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When you have the good thing with you, do not tell your neighbor, "Go away! Come back tomorrow. I'll give you something then."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back. I will pay you tomorrow," when you have cash with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not tell your neighbor, ?Come back tomorrow and I will provide??when you already have the means.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, "Go! Return tomorrow and I will give it," when you have it with you at the time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you," when you have it by you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Say not to thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not say to your friend, "" “Go, and return, and tomorrow I give,” "" When substance [is] with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Say not thou to thy friend, 'Go, and return, and to-morrow I give,' And substance with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not say to thy neighbor, Go, and turn back, and to-morrow I will give; and there is with thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Say not to thy friend: Go, and come again: and to morrow I will give to thee: when thou canst give at present. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not say to your friend: “Go away, and then return. Tomorrow I will give to you.” When you are able to do so, give in the present.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Say not to your neighbor, “Go, come back tomorrow, and I will give it to you,” when all the while you have it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />When you have something, do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again tomorrow, and I will give it to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when you have possessions, do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again tomorrow, and I shall give to you."<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Say not unto thy neighbour: 'Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give'; when thou hast it by thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Say not, Come back another time, to-morrow I will give; while thou art able to do <i>him</i> good: for thou knowest not what the next day will bring forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/3-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=525" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/3.htm">The Blessings of Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">27</span>Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: tō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: lə·rē·ʿɛ·ḵå̄ (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">your neighbor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lêḵ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">“Come</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wā·šūḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">back</a> <a href="/hebrew/4279.htm" title="4279: ū·mā·ḥār (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Tomorrow, in time to come. Probably from 'achar; properly, deferred, i.e. The morrow; usually tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter.">tomorrow</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: ’et·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and I will provide”—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: wə·yêš (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">when you already have the means.</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tāḵ (Prep:: 2ms) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-15.htm">James 2:15-16</a></span><br />Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-42.htm">Matthew 5:42</a></span><br />Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-30.htm">Luke 6:30</a></span><br />Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-10.htm">Galatians 6:10</a></span><br />Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-13.htm">Romans 12:13</a></span><br />Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-16.htm">Hebrews 13:16</a></span><br />And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/9-7.htm">2 Corinthians 9:7</a></span><br />Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-35.htm">Acts 20:35</a></span><br />In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Ephesians 4:28</a></span><br />He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-7.htm">Deuteronomy 15:7-8</a></span><br />If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Leviticus 19:13</a></span><br />You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/22-26.htm">Exodus 22:26-27</a></span><br />If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-7.htm">Isaiah 58:7</a></span><br />Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-16.htm">Job 31:16-20</a></span><br />If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail, / if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless— / though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow— ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Say not to your neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when you have it by you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/27-1.htm">Proverbs 27:1</a></b></br> Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Leviticus 19:13</a></b></br> Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob <i>him</i>: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/24-12.htm">Deuteronomy 24:12-15</a></b></br> And if the man <i>be</i> poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/2-17.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/psalms/10-6.htm">I'll</a> <a href="/psalms/102-18.htm">Later</a> <a href="/esther/9-13.htm">Morrow</a> <a href="/psalms/101-5.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/psalms/101-5.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-9.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/psalms/145-15.htm">Time</a> <a href="/esther/9-13.htm">Tomorrow</a> <a href="/esther/5-14.htm">To-Morrow</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/3-32.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-22.htm">I'll</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Later</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-1.htm">Morrow</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-29.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-29.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-31.htm">Substance</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-8.htm">Time</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-1.htm">Tomorrow</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-1.htm">To-Morrow</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/3-1.htm">various exhortations</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">The gain of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/3-27.htm">Exhortation to goodness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/3-33.htm">the different state of the wicked and upright</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not tell your neighbor</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of immediate action in helping others. In biblical times, the concept of "neighbor" extended beyond those living nearby to include anyone with whom one had dealings. The command to love one's neighbor is central to biblical teaching, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a> and reiterated by Jesus in <a href="/matthew/22-39.htm">Matthew 22:39</a>. The idea is to foster a community of trust and support, reflecting God's love and provision.<p><b>“Come back tomorrow and I will provide”</b><br>This part of the verse warns against procrastination in doing good. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, hospitality and generosity were highly valued. Delaying assistance could be seen as a breach of social and moral duty. The urgency in providing help is echoed in <a href="/james/2-15.htm">James 2:15-16</a>, where faith is demonstrated through immediate action. The phrase also highlights the importance of integrity and reliability in one's promises.<p><b>—when you already have the means.</b><br>This clause underscores the responsibility to act when one is able. It reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are accountable for the resources God has entrusted to them. The parable of the Good Samaritan (<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>) illustrates this principle, showing that true neighborliness involves using one's resources to meet the needs of others. The verse challenges believers to reflect God's generosity, as seen in <a href="/philippians/4-19.htm">Philippians 4:19</a>, where God supplies all needs according to His riches.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/neighbor.htm">Neighbor</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, a neighbor refers to anyone with whom we have a relationship or encounter in our daily lives. This could be a literal neighbor, a friend, or even a stranger in need.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His teachings often focus on practical living and moral integrity.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where community living and mutual support were essential for survival and prosperity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/immediate_generosity.htm">Immediate Generosity</a></b><br>The verse encourages us to act promptly in generosity. When we have the means to help, we should not delay, as procrastination can lead to missed opportunities to bless others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>By providing for others when we have the means, we demonstrate trust in God's continued provision for our own needs. This reflects a heart of faith and reliance on God's abundance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br><a href="/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28</a> reminds us of our responsibility to our community. In a world that often prioritizes individualism, this verse calls us back to a biblical model of mutual care and support.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ's_love.htm">Reflecting Christ's Love</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, our actions should reflect His love and compassion. Providing for others when we can is a tangible expression of Christ's love in us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible_project's_goal.htm">How can we effectively manage and prioritize our time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_muscular_christianity.htm">What is the meaning of Galatians 3:28?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_cor_3_19_oppose_biblical_wisdom.htm">Doesn't 1 Corinthians 3:19, by labeling worldly wisdom as foolishness, promote anti-intellectualism and conflict with biblical passages that encourage knowledge?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doesn't_job_28_align_with_other_wisdom.htm">Why does Job 28 offer poetic descriptions of wisdom's source without reconciling them with scientific or pagan wisdom traditions of the time?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - The precept of this and that of the preceding verse are very closely related. The former precept enjoined the general principle of benevolence when we have the means; this carries on the idea, and is directed against the postponement of giving when we are in a position to give. In effect it says, "Do not defer till tomorrow what you can do today." This "putting off" may arise from avarice, from indolence, or from insolence and contempt. These underlying faults, which are incompatible with neighbourly good wilt, are condenmed by implication. <span class="cmt_word">Unto thy neighbour;</span> <span class="accented">l'reayka</span>, "to thy friends," the word being evidently used distributively. <span class="accented">Reeh</span> is "a companion" or "friend" (cf. Vulgate, <span class="accented">amico tuo</span>; Syriac, <span class="accented">sodali tuo</span>), and generally any other person, equivalent to the Greek <span class="greek">ὁ πλησίον</span>, "neighbour." The Authorized Version correctly renders "come again," as <span class="accented">shav</span> is not merely "to return," but to return again to something (so Delitzsch); cf. Vulgate, <span class="accented">revertere</span>; and as the words, "tomorrow I will give thee," show. The LXX. adds, "For thou knowest not what the morrow may bring forth," probably from <a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Proverbs 17:1</a>. If viewed in respect of the specific claims which servants have for work done, the precept is a re-echo of Leviticus 29:13 and <a href="/deuteronomy/24-15.htm">Deuteronomy 24:15</a>. In illustration of the general scope of the passage, Grotius quotes, "A slow-footed favour is a favour without favour." Seneca says in the same spirit, "Ingratum est beneficium quod diu inter manus dantis haesit," "The benefit is thankless which sticks long between the hands of the giver" (Seneca, 'Benef.,' 1:2); cf. also <span class="accented">Bis dat qui cito dat.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/3-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tell</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּ֘אמַ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(tō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your neighbor,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְרֵֽעֲךָ֨ ׀</span> <span class="translit">(lə·rê·‘ă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Come</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">back</span><br /><span class="heb">וָ֭שׁוּב</span> <span class="translit">(wā·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tomorrow—</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמָחָ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mā·ḥār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4279.htm">Strong's 4279: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will provide</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶתֵּ֗ן</span> <span class="translit">(’et·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when you have the means.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיֵ֣שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> </span><span class="str2">Being, substance, existence, is</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/3-28.htm">Proverbs 3:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/3-28.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 3:28 Don't say to your neighbor Go (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/3-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 3:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 3:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/3-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 3:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 3:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>