V. 1. A SOFT ANSWER TURNETH AWAY WRATH, a word spoken in gentleness
when people are about to fly into a passion, IS LIKE OIL ON TROUBLED
WATERS; BUT GRIEVOUS WORDS, such as are offensive and violent, STIR UP
ANGER, making it more passionate and embittered.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 2. THE TONGUE OF THE WISE USETH KNOWLEDGE ARIGHT, presenting it in
well-arranged form, clothing it in an attractive manner; BUT THE MOUTH
OF FOOLS POURETH OUT FOOLISHNESS, in great and loathsome quantities,
its utterances being noisy, confused, and without sense, nothing but
folly.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 3. THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE IN EVERY PLACE, His omniscience seeing
everything that goes on in the world, BEHOLDING THE EVIL AND THE GOOD,
watching their every act, familiar with their desires, words, and
acts.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 4. A WHOLESOME TONGUE, literally, "gentleness of tongue," IS A TREE
OF LIFE, that is, a person who, in true humility, uses gentle,
pacifying, soothing speech will do his share toward a better
appreciation and use of life, will cause people with whom he comes
into contact to enjoy it more properly... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 5. A FOOL DESPISETH HIS FATHER'S INSTRUCTION, he reveals his folly
by refusing to be corrected; BUT HE THAT REGARDETH REPROOF, always
willing to accept correction, IS PRUDENT, shows the proper discretion.
cf Proverbs 19:25; 1 Samuel 23:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 6. IN THE HOUSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS MUCH TREASURE, such prosperity
being the blessing of the Lord; BUT IN THE REVENUES OF THE WICKED IS
TROUBLE, the income of the ungodly results in desolation; for the more
they have, the more they spend in the service of sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 7. THE LIPS OF THE WISE DISPERSE KNOWLEDGE, casting it out over the
country like good seed, which will return a rich harvest; BUT THE
HEART OF THE FOOLISH DOETH NOT SO; having no wisdom, he cannot spread
any, he is not set in the right direction and is therefore utterly
incompetent to teach other... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 8. THE SACRIFICE OF THE WICKED IS AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD, for
it is brought in ungodliness and hypocrisy; BUT THE PRAYER OF THE
UPRIGHT, by which they worship God in spirit and in truth and enter
into true fellowship with Him, IS HIS DELIGHT.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 9. THE WAY OF THE WICKED IS AN ABOMINATION UNTO THE LORD, He
loathes their entire conduct; BUT HE LOVETH HIM THAT FOLLOWETH AFTER
RIGHTEOUSNESS, who makes it his business to search after, to pursue
with great eagerness, that righteousness of life which pleases
Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 10. CORRECTION IS GRIEVOUS UNTO HIM THAT FORSAKETH THE WAY, that
is, a sharp punishment will strike him who leaves the path pointed out
by the will of the Lord; AND HE THAT HATETH REPROOF, namely, the
rebuke of God's Word, SHALL DIE, for death is the wages of sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 11. HELL AND DESTRUCTION ARE BEFORE THE LORD, THE REALM OF THE
DEAD, the place of eternal perdition, is uncovered before Him; He
knows them, though they be hidden from the eyes of men; HOW MUCH MORE,
THEN, THE HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN OF MEN? Jehovah knows the hearts of
all men, they are all uncove... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 12. A SCORNER, one who makes it a point to mock at everything that
is holy, LOVETH NOT ONE THAT REPROVETH HIM, for his foolish pride
resents correction; NEITHER WILL HE GO UNTO THE WISE, because there he
must expect censure; so he prefers the company of those who applaud
his folly.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 13. A MERRY HEART MAKETH A CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE, for when the
spirit is joyous, it brightens the face; BUT BY SORROW OF THE HEART
THE SPIRIT IS BROKEN, if grief has taken possession of the heart, the
powers of the mind are also influenced, clearness of thought is gone,
and the shock proves genera... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 14. THE HEART OF HIM THAT HATH UNDERSTANDING SEEKETH KNOWLEDGE, for
he is anxious always to increase in true wisdom, as it applies to the
various situations in life; BUT THE MOUTH OF FOOLS FEEDETH ON
FOOLISHNESS, literally, "the face of fools pastures on folly,"
delighting in it, as an animal eag... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 15. ALL THE DAYS OF THE AFFLICTED ARE EVIL, for the inward burden
of their grief makes every day sad for them; BUT HE THAT IS OF A MERRY
HEART, refusing to be burdened or bowed down by sorrow, HATH A
CONTINUAL FEAST, his life being like a constant festival.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 16. BETTER IS LITTLE WITH THE FEAR OF THE LORD, the proper
contentment with the blessings of the Lord, small as they may be
outwardly, THAN GREAT TREASURE AND TROUBLE THEREWITH, for the
possession of riches brings cares and worries, which often are very
unpleasant, 1 Timothy 6:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 17. BETTER IS A DINNER OF HERBS, a portion of the very simplest
food, WHERE LOVE IS, where a person is in the midst of his loved ones,
THAN A STALLED OX, one fattened by hand-feeding, AND HATRED THEREWITH,
on account of the envy, jealousy, and hatred of people with whom one
dines. Not the richnes... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 18. A WRATHFUL MAN, one unable to keep his temper, STIRRETH UP
STRIFE, his way of acting is bound to result in quarrels; BUT HE THAT
IS SLOW TO ANGER APPEASETH STRIFE, himself refusing to become excited
and always making use of conciliatory speeches.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 19. THE WAY OF THE SLOTHFUL MAN IS AS AN HEDGE OF THORNS, since he
is always meeting with obstructions and hindrances; BUT THE WAY OF THE
RIGHTEOUS IS MADE PLAIN, like an open highway, for his diligence and
the blessing of the Lord combine in making the accomplishment of
life's tasks easy.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 20. A WISE SON MAKETH A GLAD FATHER, Proverbs 10:1; BUT A FOOLISH
MAN DESPISETH HIS MOTHER, such neglect and contempt of his mother
proving him to be a fool of a man, not only on account of the
transgression of the Fourth Commandment involved, but because the
wisdom and love of a mother serves fo... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 21. FOLLY IS JOY TO HIM THAT IS DESTITUTE OF WISDOM, to him who
lacks proper sense; BUT A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING WALKETH UPRIGHTLY,
going straight forward on the way of duty, permitting no foolishness
to interfere with his faithfulness.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 22. WITHOUT COUNSEL, PURPOSES ARE DISAPPOINTED, plans are sure to
fail if they have not been considered carefully and from every angle
in advance; BUT IN THE MULTITUDE OF COUNSELORS THEY ARE ESTABLISHED,
for when they are worked out in this manner, with advice from every
quarter, the chances are... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 23. A MAN HATH JOY BY THE ANSWER OF HIS MOUTH; if he has succeeded
in giving the right advice, it naturally pleases him; AND A WORD
SPOKEN IN DUE SEASON, one which just hits the nail on the head, thus
solving the difficulty, how good is it, how welcome, pleasing, and
salutary!... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 24. THE WAY OF LIFE IS ABOVE TO THE WISE, he directs his course
upward, aiming at a higher degree of sanctification with every new
day, his eye set on the reward held out by the mercy of God, THAT HE
MAY DEPART FROM HELL BENEATH, he shuns the way which leads to
everlasting perdition.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 25. THE LORD WILL DESTROY THE HOUSE OF THE PROUD, visiting him, his
family, and all his possessions with punishment; BUT HE WILL ESTABLISH
THE BORDER OF THE WIDOW, not permit the boundary line of her property
to be moved, that is, safeguard her possessions.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 26. THE THOUGHTS OF THE WICKED ARE AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD, He
loathes evil plans, He will not tolerate wicked purposes; BUT THE
WORDS OF THE PURE ARE PLEASANT WORDS, literally, "but pure are words
of pleasantness"; if untainted by hypocrisy, they are sweetly
consoling, full of consolation for... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 27. HE THAT IS GREEDY OF GAIN, his covetousness causing him to seek
unjust gain, TROUBLETH HIS OWN HOUSE, for his actions are bound to
bring unpleasant consequences to his own family; BUT HE THAT HATETH
GIFTS, being above the meanness of bribery, SHALL LIVE, enjoying life
and prosperity.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 28. THE HEART OF THE RIGHTEOUS STUDIETH TO ANSWER, carefully
considering and reflecting before giving an opinion or suggesting
advice; BUT THE MOUTH OF THE WICKED POURETH OUT EVIL THINGS, in a full
and murky stream, without consulting conscience and right.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 29. THE LORD IS FAR FROM THE WICKED, so that they cannot reach Him
with their hypocritical form of worship; BUT HE HEARETH THE PRAYER OF
THE RIGHTEOUS, they have free access to the throne of mercy, and He
gladly fulfils their desires.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 30. THE LIGHT OF THE EYES REJOICETH THE HEART, when the eyes shine
with a friendly luster, the influence thereby exerted upon the heart
of one' s neighbor is such as to impart some of the cheer to him; AND
A GOOD REPORT, joyful news, MAKETH THE BONES FAT, gives refreshment
and strength to the who... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 31. THE EAR THAT HEARETH THE REPROOF OF LIFE, a censure or
correction which points out the way to life, ABIDETH AMONG THE WISE,
belongs to their circle on account of the wisdom thus gained.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 32. HE THAT REFUSETH INSTRUCTION, trying to withdraw from
correction, paying no heed to it, DESPISETH HIS OWN SOUL, valuing it
but lightly, not knowing or caring that the true enjoyment of life
depends upon his accepting reproof; BUT HE THAT HEARETH REPROOF
GETTETH UNDERSTANDING, and thereby show... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 33. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM, it offers
the training which leads to true wisdom; AND BEFORE HONOR IS HUMILITY,
that is, true humility will open the way to true honor, for God giveth
grace to the humble.... [ Continue Reading ]