V. 1. WHOSO LOVETH INSTRUCTION, including all moral training, LOVETH KNOWLEDGE, for that is the fruit of such training; BUT HE THAT HATETH REPROOF IS BRUTISH, for in resenting correction a person places himself on the level of beasts in stupidity.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 2. A GOOD MAN OBTAINETH FAVOR OF THE LORD, is an object of Jehovah' s good pleasure; BUT A MAN OF WICKED DEVICES WILL HE CONDEMN, for He loathes planning which intends the neighbor' s harm.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 3. A MAN SHALL NOT BE ESTABLISHED BY WICKEDNESS, the prosperity of such a one will not be lasting, nor will it give him true happiness; but the root of the righteous shall not be moved; as their faith is rooted in Jehovah, their foundation is secure.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 4. A VIRTUOUS WOMAN, a wife of moral power and probity, as shown in her pious activity in the home, IS A CROWN TO HER HUSBAND, an emblem of honor and glory before the whole world; BUT SHE THAT MAKETH ASHAMED, causing him shame by her misconduct, IS AS ROTTENNESS IN HIS BONES, like a gnawing worm,... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 5. THE THOUGHTS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE RIGHT, just and pious, leading to words and deeds which are also righteous; BUT THE COUNSELS OF THE WICKED ARE DECEIT, the manner in which they influence and direct others is deceitful and is bound to work harm.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 6. THE WORDS OF THE WICKED ARE TO LIE IN WAIT FOR BLOOD, they intend malice and violence, their thoughts find expression in bloodthirsty and murderous ways; BUT THE MOUTH OF THE UPRIGHT SHALL DELIVER THEM, namely, those whose life is threatened by the wicked with their murderous designs.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 7. THE WICKED ARE OVERTHROWN AND ARE NOT, they come to an end like the ungodly inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah; BUT THE HOUSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL STAND, sustained in the midst of all storms by the power of Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 8. A MAN SHALL BE COMMENDED ACCORDING TO (literally, "in the presence of") HIS WISDOM, in proportion to the insight he shows in all matters of life; BUT HE THAT IS OF A PERVERSE HEART SHALL BE DESPISED, his crooked and malicious dealings meeting with the contempt and condemnation which they deser... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 9. HE THAT IS DESPISED AND HATH A SERVANT IS BETTER, rather, "Better is the lowly that serveth himself," being of small means and not too proud to be found engaged in performing the work of a servant about the house, THAN HE THAT HONORETH HIMSELF AND LACKETH BREAD, his pride of birth or caste kee... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 10. A RIGHTEOUS MAN REGARDETH THE LIFE OF HIS BEAST, taking proper care of his domestic animals; BUT THE TENDER MERCIES OF THE WICKED ARE CRUEL, they are utterly devoid of sympathy and compassion.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 11. HE THAT TILLETH HIS LAND SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH BREAD, his industry ordinarily being rewarded in this manner; BUT HE THAT FOLLOWETH VAIN PERSONS, vanity, idleness, laziness, IS VOID OF UNDERSTANDING, lacks the very principles of ordinary common sense.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 12. THE WICKED DESIRETH THE NET OF EVIL MEN, rather, the spoil, that which is taken in the net; that is, one wicked person tries to deprive the other of his ill-gotten gains, their selfishness causing them to consume one another; BUT THE ROOT OF THE RIGHTEOUS YIELDETH FRUIT; since all their acts... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 13. THE WICKED IS SNARED BY THE TRANSGRESSION OF HIS LIPS, his own speeches prove a dangerous snare to him, so that he is overthrown; BUT THE JUST SHALL COME OUT OF TROUBLE, escaping from the net which was placed for his feet.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 14. A MAN SHALL BE SATISFIED WITH GOOD BY THE FRUIT OF HIS MOUTH, his own wise, benevolent, and charitable discourse results in blessings to him; AND THE RECOMPENSE OF A MAN' S HANDS, what he deserves for his works, SHALL BE RENDERED UNTO HIM, the justice of God being shown in rewards as well as... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 15. THE WAY OF A FOOL IS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES, in his own judgment, making it practically impossible to convince him of the contrary; BUT HE THAT HEARKENETH UNTO COUNSEL IS WISE, OR, "the wise listens to sound advice," it is one of his characteristics.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 16. A FOOL'S WRATH IS PRESENTLY KNOWN, his indignation breaks out suddenly, often without a careful examination of the difficulty which caused it; BUT A PRUDENT MAN COVERETH SHAME, he exercises prudent self-control, he keeps his temper well in hand always.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 17. HE THAT SPEAKETH TRUTH SHOWETH FORTH RIGHTEOUSNESS; breathing the atmosphere of the love of truth, he utters that which is strictly just; BUT A FALSE WITNESS DECEIT, he breathes and speaks lies.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 18. THERE IS THAT SPEAKETH LIKE THE PIERCINGS OF A SWORD, his speeches being as rude and sharp as knife thrusts, their intention being to hurt and injure; BUT THE TONGUE OF THE WISE IS HEALTH, healing, intended to overcome the effect of sharp speeches and to bind up the wounds inflicted by foolis... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 19. THE LIP OF TRUTH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOREVER, for truth, although trodden to the earth, will ever rise again; BUT A LYING TONGUE IS BUT FOR A MOMENT, the falsehood being readily exposed and therefore losing its power.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 20. DECEIT IS IN THE HEART OF THEM THAT IMAGINE EVIL, for they can rarely carry out their evil intentions without malignity and deceit; BUT TO THE COUNSELORS OF PEACE IS JOY, those who give wholesome counsel, and the peacemakers, cause rejoicing.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 21. THERE SHALL NO EVIL HAPPEN TO THE JUST, the very suffering coming upon them in God's wise government being but blessings in disguise, Psalms 91:10; Romans 8:28; BUT THE WICKED SHALL BE FILLED WITH MISCHIEF, evil, misfortune, and calamity striking them.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 22. LYING LIPS ARE ABOMINATION TO THE LORD, He loathes liars and deceivers; BUT THEY THAT DEAL TRULY, practicing uprightness always, are His delight.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 23. A PRUDENT MAN CONCEALETH KNOWLEDGE, not showing off his knowledge upon every occasion; BUT THE HEART OF FOOLS PROCLAIMETH FOOLISHNESS, they are bound to expose their nonsense by their forward manner.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 24. THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT SHALL BEAR RULE, he will reach a position of power and influence; BUT THE SLOTHFUL SHALL BE UNDER TRIBUTE, being obliged to serve, to hold a subordinate position, all his life.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 25. HEAVINESS IN THE HEART OF MAN MAKETH IT STOOP, it is readily bowed down by trouble and grief; BUT A GOOD WORD MAKETH IT GLAD, so that he straightens up from his grief and gains new courage.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 26. THE RIGHTEOUS IS MORE EXCELLENT THAN HIS NEIGHBOR, rather, guideth his friend aright, being concerned about his welfare, in a true spirit of altruism; BUT THE WAY OF THE WICKED SEDUCETH THEM, their own foolishness and wickedness leading them astray.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 27. THE SLOTHFUL MAN ROASTETH NOT THAT WHICH HE TOOK IN HUNTING, literally, "catcheth not his prey," being too lazy to make use of his opportunities; BUT THE SUBSTANCE OF A DILIGENT MAN IS PRECIOUS, his industry is a valuable possession and grasps the opportunities offered him.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 28. IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIFE, it leads to the possession and enjoyment of true life; AND IN THE PATHWAY THEREOF THERE IS NO DEATH, no misfortune of any kind, for it is only the devious way that leads to destruction.... [ Continue Reading ]