Contradiction with Job 21:7-13
These verses speak of the wicked living long and prosperous lives, which contradicts the idea that humility and the fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and life.
Job 21:7-13: Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 8:14
This verse observes that righteous people sometimes suffer while wicked people prosper, contradicting the notion that humility and fear of the Lord always lead to positive outcomes.
Ecclesiastes 8:14: There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just [men], unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked [men], to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also [is] vanity.
Contradiction with Psalm 73:3-12
These verses describe the prosperity of the wicked, contradicting the claim that humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches and honor.
Psalm 73:3-12: For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Contradiction with Jeremiah 12:1-2
Jeremiah questions why the wicked prosper, which challenges the idea that fear of the Lord and humility lead inevitably to prosperity.
Jeremiah 12:1-2: Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy] judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal very treacherously? [talk...: or, reason the case with thee]
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 7:15
This verse mentions the righteous perishing and the wicked living long lives, countering the promise of life through humility and fear of the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 7:15: All [things] have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just [man] that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked [man] that prolongeth [his life] in his wickedness.
Contradiction with Psalm 37:35-36
Describes the flourishing of the wicked, contradicting the assurance that humility and fear of the Lord bring riches and honor.
Psalm 37:35-36: I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. [a green...: or, a green tree that groweth in his own soil]
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 9:11
The verse indicates that outcomes are not solely determined by righteousness or wisdom, which can contrast with the claim of Proverbs 22:4 regarding humility and fear of the Lord.
Ecclesiastes 9:11: I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Paradox #1
Proverbs 22:4 states that humility and fear of the Lord bring wealth, honor, and life. A contradiction might arise when considering people who are humble and God-fearing but who do not experience wealth or honor. This could lead to questioning why some virtuous individuals face hardship despite their humility and faith.