1.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
1. Every wise, &c.—literally,
"The wisdoms" (compare ) "of women," plural, a distributive form of speech.
buildeth . . .
house—increases wealth, which the foolish, by mismanagement,
lessen.
2.
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
2. uprightness—is the fruit of
fearing God, as falsehood and ill-nature (Proverbs 2:15;
Proverbs 3:32) of despising Him and
His law.
3.
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
3. rod of pride—that is, the
punishment of pride, which they evince by their words. The words of
the wise procure good to them.
4.
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
4. crib is clean—empty; so
"cleanness of teeth" denotes want of food (compare ). Men get the proper fruit of their doings ().
5.
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
5. A faithful witness, c.—one
tested to be such.
utter lies—or, "breathe
out lies"—that is, habitually lies ( compare Acts 9:1). Or the
sense is, that habitual truthfulness, or lying, will be evinced in
witness-bearing.
6.
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
6. An humble, teachable spirit
succeeds in seeking (Proverbs 8:9;
John 7:17; James 1:5;
James 1:6).
7.
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
7. Avoid the society of those
who cannot teach you.
8.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
8. Appearances deceive the
thoughtless, but the prudent discriminate.
9.
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
9. Fools make a mock at sin—or,
"Sin deludes fools."
righteous . . . favour—that
is, of God, instead of the punishment of sin.
10.
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
10. Each one best knows his own
sorrows or joys.
11.
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
11. (Compare ). The contrast of the whole is enhanced by that of house
and tabernacle, a permanent and a temporary dwelling.
12.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
12. end thereof—or, "reward,"
what results (compare Proverbs 5:4).
ways of death—leading
to it.
13.
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
13. The preceding sentiment
illustrated by the disappointments of a wicked or untimely joy.
14.
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
14. filled . . . ways—receive
retribution (Proverbs 1:31).
a good man . . .
himself—literally, "is away from such," will not
associate with him.
15.
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
15. The simple . . . word—He
is credulous, not from love, but heedlessness ().
16.
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
16. (Compare Proverbs 3:7;
Proverbs 28:14).
rageth—acts proudly and
conceitedly.
17.
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
17. He . . . angry—literally,
"short of anger" (compare , opposite idea).
man . . . hated—that
is, the deliberate evildoer is more hated than the rash.
18.
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
18. inherit—as a portion
(compare Proverbs 3:35).
are crowned—literally,
"are surrounded with it," abound in it.
19.
The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
19. Describes the humbling of
the wicked by the punishment their sins incur.
20.
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
20. This sad but true picture of
human nature is not given approvingly, but only as a fact.
21.
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
21. For such contempt of the
poor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of the
good.
22.
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
22. As usual, the interrogative
negative strengthens the affirmative.
mercy and truth—that
is, God's (Psalms 57:3; Psalms 61:7).
23.
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
23. labour—painful diligence.
talk . . . penury—idle
and vain promises and plans.
24.
The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
24. (Compare ).
foolishness . . . folly—Folly
remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.
25.
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
25. Life often depends on
truth-telling.
a deceitful . . . lies—He
that breathes out lies is deceit, not to be trusted ().
26.
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
26. The blessings of piety
descend to children (Proverbs 13:22;
Proverbs 20:7; Exodus 20:6).
27.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
27. (Compare ).
fear of the Lord—or,
"law of the wise," is wisdom ().
28.
In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
28. The teaching of a true
political economy.
29.
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
29. slow . . .
understanding—(Compare ).
hasty—(Compare ).
exalteth folly—makes it
conspicuous, as if delighting to honor it.
30.
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
30. A sound heart—both
literally and figuratively, a source of health; in the latter sense,
opposed to the known effect of evil passions on health.
31.
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
31. reproacheth his Maker—who
is the God of such, as well as of the rich (Proverbs 22:2;
Job 31:15; and specially 1 Samuel 2:8;
Psalms 113:7).
32.
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
32. driven—thrust out
violently (compare Psalms 35:5;
Psalms 35:6).
hath hope—trusteth
(Proverbs 10:2; Proverbs 11:4;
Psalms 2:12), implying assurance of
help.
33.
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
33. resteth—preserved in
quietness for use, while fools blazon their folly (Proverbs 12:23;
Proverbs 13:16).
34.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
34. Righteousness—just
principles and actions.
exalteth—raises to
honor.
is a reproach—brings on
them the ill-will of others (compare ).
35.
The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
35. wise—discreet or prudent.
causeth shame— (Proverbs 10:5;
Proverbs 12:4) acts basely.