V. 1. A GOOD NAME IS RATHER TO BE CHOSEN THAN GREAT RICHES, it is much
more precious, Ecclesiastes 7:1, AND LOVING FAVOR RATHER THAN SILVER
AND GOLD, that is, the kind regard of the wise and good is to be
preferred to all outward possessions.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 2. THE RICH AND POOR MEET TOGETHER, they are found side by side, in
agreement with God's order in the world; THE LORD IS THE MAKER OF THEM
ALL, whence it follows that the poor should not envy the rich, and the
rich should not oppress the poor.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 3. A PRUDENT MAN FORESEETH THE EVIL AND HIDETH HIMSELF, for his
prudence takes into account all possibilities; BUT THE SIMPLE, the
inexperienced, those who are too foolish to learn, PASS ON AND ARE
PUNISHED, they suffer the consequences of their foolishness.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 4. BY HUMILITY AND THE FEAR OF THE LORD, coming to men as a result
of these virtues, ARE RICHES AND HONOR AND LIFE, for outward
prosperity, the respect of men, and inner growth are the rewards given
to believers by the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 5. THORNS AND SNARES ARE IN THE WAY OF THE FROWARD, they are often
placed in the way of those who are crooked in their thinking and
dealing, or they are naturally found along the paths frequented by
them; HE THAT DOTH KEEP HIS SOUL, in conducting himself according to
the precepts of true morality... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 6. TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO, carefully imparting to
him the instruction which he needs for the right formation of pious
habits, the method of instruction following the age and the
peculiarity of the child; AND WHEN HE IS OLD, HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM
IT, his moral habits having bee... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 7. THE RICH RULETH OVER THE POOR, his wealth giving him a large
measure of power, especially if the poor are dependent upon him for
loans, AND THE BORROWER IS SERVANT TO THE LENDER, for indebtedness is
bound to interfere with the feeling, if not with the fact, of freedom.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 8. HE THAT SOWETH INIQUITY, unrighteousness and wickedness in any
form, SHALL REAP VANITY, misfortune and calamity; AND THE ROD OF HIS
ANGER SHALL FAIL, the staff of his haughty wrath with which he so
often tried to intimidate men, is bound to vanish, his tyranny will
come to an abrupt end.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 9. HE THAT HATH A BOUNTIFUL EYE, one which reflects kindness,
friendliness, and charity, SHALL BE BLESSED; FOR HE GIVETH OF HIS
BREAD TO THE POOR; as he dispenses blessing, he will receive blessing.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 10. CAST OUT THE SCORNER, the one whose mockery is directed against
godliness in every form, AND CONTENTION SHALL GO OUT, for blasphemous
taunts engender quarrels; YEA, STRIFE AND REPROACH SHALL CEASE, with
the removal of the blasphemer.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 11. HE THAT LOVETH PURENESS OF HEART, FOR THE GRACE OF HIS LIPS THE
KING SHALL BE HIS FRIEND, literally, "He who loves purity, integrity,
of heart, and to whom is grace of lips, the king is his friend," he
will stand high in the counsels of the mighty of the earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 12. THE EYES OF THE LORD PRESERVE KNOWLEDGE, for His eyes are fixed
in protecting care upon those who observe the norm of true knowledge
as found in His Word, AND HE OVERTHROWETH THE WORDS OF THE
TRANSGRESSOR, all the proposals and plans by which the wicked intends
to harm the believer.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 13. THE SLOTHFUL MAN SAITH, eagerly making use of every shadow of
an excuse to abstain from work, senseless though it may be, THERE IS A
LION WITHOUT, I SHALL BE SLAIN IN THE STREETS, so he prefers not to
take any chances, but continues to indulge his laziness.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 14. THE MOUTH OF STRANGE WOMEN, for so the harlots were commonly
designated in the midst of God's people, IS A DEEP PIT, on account of
the alluring and seductive language which they use in pursuing their
intended victims; HE THAT IS ABHORRED OF THE LORD SHALL FALL THEREIN,
in just punishment of h... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 15. FOOLISHNESS IS BOUND IN THE HEART OF A CHILD, the reference
being not merely to silly pranks and senseless escapades, but to the
sinfulness of a child's nature, which shows itself in evil words and
acts; BUT THE ROD OF CORRECTION, which the Lord has entrusted to
parents, as His representative... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 16. HE THAT OPPRESSETH THE POOR TO INCREASE HIS RICHES, his
oppression results in ill-gotten wealth for himself, AND HE THAT
GIVETH TO THE RICH SHALL SURELY COME TO WANT, such an act will result
in nothing but loss to himself. In either case, selfishness is the
ruling motive, and in either case t... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 17. BOW DOWN THINE EAR, inclining it in the attitude of the most
careful attention, AND HEAR THE WORDS OF THE WISE, AND APPLY THINE
HEART UNTO MY KNOWLEDGE, that presented by the inspired author in this
new section of the Book of Proverbs.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 18. FOR IT IS A PLEASANT THING IF THOU KEEP THEM WITHIN THEE, the
words of the wise serving to give true delight; THEY SHALL WITHAL BE
FITTED IN THY LIPS, abiding there and exerting their authority.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 19. THAT THY TRUST MAY BE IN THE LORD I HAVE MADE KNOWN TO THEE
THIS DAY, EVEN TO THEE, for it is the author's object to teach the
fear of Jehovah by his precepts.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 20. HAVE NOT I WRITTEN TO THEE EXCELLENT THINGS IN COUNSELS AND
KNOWLEDGE, most excellent maxims of proper behavior,... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 21. THAT I MIGHT MAKE THEE KNOW THE CERTAINTY, the strict
correctness or verity, OF THE WORDS OF TRUTH, THAT THOU, equipped with
this knowledge, MIGHTEST ANSWER THE WORDS OF TRUTH TO THEM THAT SEND
UNTO THEE? The reference is to the parents, who have sent their son to
the teacher of wisdom and ex... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 22. ROB NOT THE POOR, depriving him of his property by force or by
a show of right, BECAUSE HE IS POOR, unable to procure assistance,
NEITHER OPPRESS THE AFFLICTED IN THE GATE, the place where local cases
were usually decided by the elders or judges of the city;... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 23. FOR THE LORD WILL PLEAD THEIR CAUSE, conducting the case of the
poor and afflicted, as their Advocate and Champion, AND SPOIL THE SOUL
OF THOSE THAT SPOILED THEM, taking the side of the wronged and
vindicating the poor by punishing the violation of right and justice
on the part of the powerfu... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 24. MAKE NO FRIENDSHIP WITH AN ANGRY MAN, a man of violent temper,
AND WITH A FURIOUS MAN THOU SHALT NOT GO, one who cannot control
himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 25. LEST THOU LEARN HIS WAYS, be infected by his vice, AND GET A
SNARE TO THY SOUL, for a violent temper is a fatal net to him who is
subject to its attacks.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 26. BE NOT THOU ONE OF THEM THAT STRIKE HANDS, by hastily pledging
himself for the debts of another, OR OF THEM THAT, in a frivolous
manner, are sureties for debts.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 27. IF THOU HAST NOTHING TO PAY, being called upon to make good his
pledge, WHY SHOULD HE TAKE AWAY THY BED FROM UNDER THEE? the bed
having been pledged as a guarantee for the payment of the debt here
concerned. Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs
20:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 28. REMOVE NOT THE ANCIENT LANDMARK, set to mark the boundaries,
WHICH THY FATHERS HAVE SET. Cf Proverbs 15:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
V. 29. SEEST THOU A MAN DILIGENT IN HIS BUSINESS? one who is skilful,
apt, diligent. HE SHALL STAND BEFORE KINGS, being invited to serve
them with his counsel and with his ability; HE SHALL NOT STAND BEFORE
MEAN MEN, ordinary, obscure persons, for the services of such a man
would be considered too v... [ Continue Reading ]