1.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
1. wise [and] foolish—as
they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom.
maketh . . . father—or,
"gladdens a father."
heaviness—or, "grief."
2.
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
2. Treasures . . . nothing—that
is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare Proverbs 4:17;
Matthew 6:19).
righteousness—especially
beneficence (Psalms 112:9).
death—the greatest of
all evils.
3.
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
3. (Compare ). The last clause is better: "He will repel the
greedy desires of the wicked."
4.
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
4. slack—literally,
"deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare ).
maketh rich—(compare ).
5.
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
5. son—as Proverbs 1:8;
Proverbs 1:10, and often.
sleepeth—in indolence,
and not for rest.
causeth shame—literally,
"is base" (compare Proverbs 14:35;
Proverbs 17:2).
6.
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
6. Blessings—literally,
"Praises." The last clause is better: "The mouth of
the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous
devices)" to be executed in due time (Psalms 5:9;
Psalms 10:7; Romans 3:14),
and hence has no praises (compare Romans 3:14).
7.
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
7. blessed—literally, "for
a blessing," or praise.
shall rot—literally,
"be worm-eaten," useless and disgusting.
8.
The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
8. wise, c.—(compare Proverbs 9:8
Proverbs 9:9; Proverbs 9:16),
opposed to
prating fool—or, "fool
of lips of wicked language."
fall—headlong,
suddenly.
9.
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
9. perverteth his ways—acts
deceitfully.
known—discovered and
punished.
10.
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
10. Two vices contrasted;
hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one (Proverbs 6:13;
Psalms 35:19), and rashness of
speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.
11.
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
11. a well—or, "source"
of good to himself and others (John 7:37;
John 7:38). On last clause, see on
Proverbs 10:1.
12.
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
12. strifes—or, "litigations."
covereth—by forgiveness
and forbearance.
13.
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
13. In the lips . . . found—hence,
not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool.
void of understanding—
(Proverbs 6:32; Proverbs 7:7).
14.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
14. lay up knowledge—that is,
as treasures for good use.
mouth . . . destruction—or,
"as to the mouth," c., destruction is near they expose
themselves to evil by prating.
15.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
15. Both by trusting in
"uncertain riches" (), or by the evils of poverty (), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.
16.
The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
16. The industry of the
righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked
tempt and lead to sin.
17.
He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
17. keepeth—observes (Proverbs 3:18;
Proverbs 4:22).
refuseth—or, "turns
from reproof," which might direct him aright.
18.
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
18. Both vices must one day be
known and punished, and hence their folly.
19.
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
19. Much speech involves risk of
sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue (Psalms 39:1;
James 1:26).
20.
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
20. Right speech is the fruit of
a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.
21.
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
21. Fools not only fail to
benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin
(compare Proverbs 10:11; Proverbs 10:17;
Hosea 4:6).
22.
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
22. it maketh, c.—"it"
is emphatic. Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten
wealth (compare Ecclesiastes 2:21-23
1 Timothy 6:9; 1 Timothy 6:10;
1 Timothy 6:17).
23.
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
23. Sin is the pleasure of the
wicked; wisdom that of the good.
24.
The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
24. it—the very thing. The
wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.
25.
As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
25. (Compare Psalms 1:4;
Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:10;
Psalms 37:36).
righteous . . .
foundation—well laid and firm (Matthew 7:24;
Matthew 7:25).
26.
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
26. that is, causes vexation.
27.
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
27. (Compare Proverbs 9:11;
Psalms 55:23).
28.
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
28. gladness—in confidence of
realizing it.
expectation . . . perish—in
disappointment.
29.
The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
29. The way, &c.—that is,
God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked ().
30.
The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
30. (Compare Proverbs 12:3;
Psalms 37:9-11; Psalms 102:28).
earth—or, "land of
promise."
31.
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
31. bringeth forth—literally,
"germinates" as a plant.
froward—(Compare
Proverbs 2:12; Proverbs 2:14).
cut off—as an
unproductive plant.
32.
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
32. know—regard and provide
for (Psalms 1:6).
frowardness—all kinds
of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.