V. 1. EVERY WISE WOMAN BUILDETH HER HOUSE, literally, "Woman's wisdom
buildeth her house," the reference being to the prudence and foresight
of the wise housekeeper, who manages well; BUT THE FOOLISH PLUCKETH IT
DOWN WITH HER HANDS, her mismanagement results in ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 2. HE THAT WALKETH IN HIS UPRIGHTNESS FEARETH THE LORD, for the
fear of Jehovah is the guiding principle in the life of the upright;
BUT HE THAT IS PERVERSE IN HIS WAYS DESPISETH HIM, that is, his
contempt of the Lord shows in his crooked and malicious conduct, which
no amount of outward religiou... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 3. IN THE MOUTH OF THE FOOLISH IS A ROD OF PRIDE, that is, he bears
with himself the rod which will punish his pride, or his pride shows
itself in speeches which hurt and injure others; BUT THE LIPS OF THE
WISE SHALL PRESERVE THEM, so that no word of folly is spoken by them
to the injury of other... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 4. WHERE NO OXEN ARE, THE CRIB IS CLEAN, the manger is empty, that
is, he who is too lazy or too indolent to use the proper means for
acquiring possessions under God's blessings will find that he makes no
progress in life; BUT MUCH INCREASE IS BY THE STRENGTH OF THE OX,
although it requires work... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 5. A FAITHFUL WITNESS WILL NOT LIE, he will not utter falsehoods to
bolster up a weak case; BUT A FALSE WITNESS WILL UTTER LIES, will
habitually make use of them in gaining his ends. Proverbs 12:17;
Proverbs 6:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 6. A SCORNER SEEKETH WISDOM AND FINDETH IT NOT, for his mockery of
true wisdom, of the truth contained in the Word of God, closes the
road of real enlightenment to him, no matter how much superficial
culture he seems to possess; BUT KNOWLEDGE IS EASY UNTO HIM THAT
UNDERSTANDETH, if he is earnestl... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 7. GO FROM THE PRESENCE OF A FOOLISH MAN, it being a matter of
wisdom for a person to keep his distance from such a one, WHEN THOU
PERCEIVEST NOT IN HIM THE LIPS OF KNOWLEDGE, remembering that lie has
never yet uttered a truly sensible word.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 8. THE WISDOM OF THE PRUDENT IS TO UNDERSTAND HIS WAY, to observe
where he is going, to pay close attention to his conduct; BUT THE
FOLLY OF FOOLS IS DECEIT, self-deception, since they are willfully
blind to the demands of every situation in which they find themselves,
and so invite punishment an... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 9. FOOLS MAKE A MOCK AT SIN, literally, "the sacrifice mocks the
fools"; for even if such ungodly people offer up burnt offerings for
expiation and atonement, it is useless, it fails of its object, since
it is not acceptable to God; BUT AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS THERE IS FAVOR,
the relation among the u... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 10. THE HEART KNOWETH HIS OWN BITTERNESS, it is best acquainted
with its own trouble and resents interference; AND A STRANGER DOTH NOT
INTERMEDDLE WITH HIS JOY, for no outsider is able fully to enter into
the feelings of the heart. This saying does not conflict with Romans
12:15, but is directed... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 11. THE HOUSE OF THE WICKED SHALL BE OVERTHROWN, no matter how
permanent they believe it to be; BUT THE TABERNACLE OF THE UPRIGHT,
their tent, their temporary dwelling, for they do not regard it as
their permanent home, SHALL FLOURISH, the blessing of the Lord resting
upon it.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 12. THERE IS A WAY WHICH SEEMETH RIGHT UNTO A MAN, the way of sin,
at the outset, being apparently straight and smooth, BUT THE END
THEREOF, what it finally leads to, ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH, for
transgression invariably leads to mortal ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 13. EVEN IN LAUGHTER THE HEART IS SORROWFUL, that is, a person may
hide a deep sorrow under a superficial joyousness; AND THE END OF THAT
MIRTH IS HEAVINESS, for trouble will invariably cut short such outward
manifestations of joy and bring sorrow in the end.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 14. THE BACKSLIDER IN HEART, he who is of a perverse, malicious
heart, who has departed from God in his heart, SHALL BE FILLED WITH
HIS OWN WAYS, he will be surfeited with the consequences of his own
perverseness, he will have to suffer the ruinous results of his sinful
acts; AND A GOOD MAN SHALL... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 15. THE SIMPLE, THE INEXPERIENCED, BELIEVETH EVERY WORD, without
examining its truth, be is driven to and fro without any judgment of
his own; BUT THE PRUDENT MAN LOOKETH WELL TO HIS GOING, watching every
step, not attempting anything without the most careful consideration.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 16. A WISE MAN FEARETH AND DEPARTETH FROM EVIL, dreading its power
and preferring to keep his distance; BUT THE FOOL RAGETH, in carnal
presumption and insolence, AND IS CONFIDENT, foolishly believing
himself to be able to avoid the consequences of his sinful folly,
rushing wildly into his own des... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 17. HE THAT IS SOON ANGRY, losing his temper at the slightest
provocation, DEALETH FOOLISHLY, working only folly, with evil
consequences to himself; AND A MAN OF WICKED DEVICES IS HATED, since
he, with his malicious craft and hypocritical subtlety, is even more
dangerous than he who flies into a... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 18. THE SIMPLE INHERIT FOLLY, that is the portion of those who will
not learn wisdom, who will not be guided by the experiences of others;
BUT THE PRUDENT ARE CROWNED WITH KNOWLEDGE, they embrace, they
accumulate, knowledge as a precious possession.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 19. THE EVIL BOW BEFORE THE GOOD, humbling themselves as a result
of the punishment which they incurred for their sins, AND THE WICKED
AT THE GATES OF THE RIGHTEOUS, like beggars humbly praying for some
gift of charity.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 20. THE POOR IS HATED EVEN OF HIS OWN NEIGHBOR, for the loss of
wealth immediately changes the attitude of false friends, who now find
their impoverished neighbor obnoxious; BUT THE RICH HATH MANY FRIENDS,
such as profess friendship for him as long as they partake of his
bounty.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 21. HE THAT DESPISETH HIS NEIGHBOR SINNETH, that is, he who
neglects a friend to whom he owes love, especially if he is in need;
BUT HE THAT HATH MERCY ON THE POOR, showing true compassion to the
poor and wretched, HAPPY IS HE, since he himself may expect benefit
from his act.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 22. DO THEY NOT ERR THAT DEVISE EVIL, who foolishly go astray and
bring misfortune upon themselves ? BUT MERCY AND TRUTH, in the favor
of God and the fulfillment of all His promises of love, SHALL BE TO
THEM THAT DEVISE GOOD, always planning how they may be of assistance
to such as are in need.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 23. IN ALL LABOR THERE IS PROFIT, if a person is really diligent
and earnest in his work, results will show; BUT THE TALK OF THE LIPS,
idle talk, not backed up by honest toil, TENDETH ONLY TO PENURY,
brings the one who practices it to want.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 24. THE CROWN OF THE WISE IS THEIR RICHES, their possessions,
gained by dint of hard work, serve to honor them; BUT THE FOOLISHNESS
OF FOOLS IS FOLLY, no matter how much show and pomp he makes, how
anxiously be strives to offer a magnificent appearance.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 25. A TRUE WITNESS, one who fearlessly utters the truth, DELIVERETH
SOULS, from the death which threatened them as a result of false
charges brought against them; BUT A DECEITFUL WITNESS, one full of
crafty malice, SPEAKETH LIES, constantly breathing them out.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 26. IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS STRONG CONFIDENCE, it gives a strong
security, a safe reliance; AND HIS CHILDREN SHALL HAVE A PLACE OF
REFUGE, for since they follow the upright conduct of their parents,
the Lord protects them in like manner.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 27. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE, the source of all
true spiritual life, TO DEPART FROM THE SNARES OF DEATH; for where
there is no fear of God, there is transgression, and transgression
leads to everlasting death.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 28. IN THE MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE IS THE KING'S HONOR, it serves for
his glory, for the establishment of his name, if he reigns wisely and
successfully over a large nation; BUT IN THE WANT OF PEOPLE IS THE
DESTRUCTION OF THE PRINCE, where the people of a country are few and
scattered on account of s... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 29. HE THAT IS SLOW TO WRATH, he who is able to control himself,
who has himself well in hand at all times, IS OF GREAT UNDERSTANDING,
he will always have a clear mind to discriminate properly; BUT HE THAT
IS HASTY OF SPIRIT, rash and quick-tempered, EXALTETH FOLLY, is bound
to carry foolishness... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 30. A SOUND HEART IS THE LIFE OF THE FLESH, literally, "life of the
members is a heart of composure"; for it is the tranquil spirit which
is able to judge calmly and correctly, weighing all factors
dispassionately; BUT ENVY THE ROTTENNESS OF THE BONES, for every form
of passionate, violent seal s... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 31. HE THAT OPPRESSETH THE POOR REPROACHETH HIS MAKER, mocks God
Himself, who is the Champion of the poor and downtrodden; BUT HE THAT
HONORETH HIM, having the proper regard for the Lord, HATH MERCY ON THE
POOR, this being the natural result of the fear and love of Jehovah.
Proverbs 17:5; Proverb... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 32. THE WICKED IS DRIVEN AWAY IN HIS WICKEDNESS, that is, if
misfortune, ruin, and death strike the ungodly person, he is swept
away suddenly, thrust out of this life violently; BUT THE RIGHTEOUS
HATH HOPE IN HIS DEATH, he is confident even in the hour of death, for
the future beyond the grave ho... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 33. WISDOM RESTETH IN THE HEART OF HIM THAT HATH UNDERSTANDING, it
is quietly safe there, and the wise person carefully guards and
increases it; BUT THAT WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF FOOLS IS MADE KNOWN,
they are always eager and loud in giving their opinion, since they
believe themselves to be wise,... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 34. RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION, the exercise of true moral
uprightness in every department of a nation's activity will set such a
nation up on high, tend to give it material prosperity, for God
rewards civil righteousness in such a manner; BUT SIN IS A REPROACH TO
ANY PEOPLE; if it is openly... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 35. THE KING'S FAVOR IS TOWARD A WISE SERVANT, he will naturally
prefer and reward one who is discreet and prudent in his work; BUT HIS
WRATH IS AGAINST HIM THAT CAUSETH SHAME, it will strike the base and
give him his well-merited punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]