1.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
1. soft—tender or gentle.
turneth . . . wrath—from
any one.
stir up—as a
smouldering fire is excited.
2.
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
2. useth . . . aright—commends
knowledge by its proper use.
poureth out—utters
abundantly (Proverbs 12:23), and so
disgusts others.
3.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
3. beholding—watching (compare
Proverbs 5:21; Psalms 66:7).
4.
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
4. A wholesome tongue—(Compare
Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
tree of life— (Proverbs 3:18;
Proverbs 11:30).
perverseness therein—cross,
ill-natured language.
breach . . . spirit—(compare
Isaiah 65:14, Hebrew),
grieves, instead of appeasing.
5.
A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
5. (Compare Proverbs 4:1;
Proverbs 10:17; Proverbs 13:1-18).
is prudent—acts
discreetly.
6.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
6. treasure—implying utility.
trouble—vexation and
affliction.
7.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
7. (Compare Proverbs 10:20;
Proverbs 10:21).
heart . . . not so—not
right, or vain.
8.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
8, 9. The sacrifice [and]
prayer—are acts of worship.
way . . . followeth . . .
righteousness—denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and
deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Psalms 50:17;
Isaiah 1:11.
9.
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10.
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
10. (Compare ).
the way—that in which
God would have him to go (Proverbs 2:13;
Psalms 119:1).
11.
Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
11. Hell— ().
destruction—or,
"Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world
is open to God, much more men's hearts.
12.
A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
12. (Compare ).
go unto the wise—to be
instructed.
13.
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
13. maketh . . . countenance—or,
"benefits the countenance."
spirit is broken—and so
the countenance is sad.
14.
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
14. (Compare Proverbs 10:21;
Proverbs 10:22). The wise grow wiser,
the fools more foolish (Proverbs 9:9).
15.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
15. The state of the heart
governs the outward condition.
evil—sad, contrasted
with the cheerfulness of a feast.
16.
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
16. trouble—agitation,
implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by
worldlings (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Timothy 6:6).
17.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
17. dinner—or, "allowance"
(2 Kings 25:30) —
of herbs—and that the
plainest.
and hatred—(compare
Proverbs 10:12; Proverbs 10:18).
18.
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
18. (Compare Proverbs 14:29;
Proverbs 16:32).
19.
The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
19. The difficulties of the
slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a
plain [and open]
way—literally, "a highway," by diligence (1 Samuel 10:7;
Psalms 1:3).
20.
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
20. (Compare ).
21.
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
21. walketh uprightly—and so
finds his joy (Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 10:23).
22.
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.
22. Without counsel—or,
"deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions
of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.
23.
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
23. Good advice blesses the
giver and receiver.
24.
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
24. (Compare ). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.
25.
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
25. The most desolate who have
God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner
(Proverbs 2:22; Proverbs 12:7).
border—or, "boundary
for possessions" (Psalms 78:54).
26.
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
26. are pleasant words—that
is, pleasing to God (Proverbs 8:8;
Proverbs 8:9).
27.
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
27. (Compare ). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.
hateth gifts—or,
"bribes" (Exodus 23:8;
Psalms 15:5), and is not avaricious.
28.
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
28. (Compare Proverbs 15:14;
Proverbs 10:11). Caution is the fruit
of wisdom; rashness of folly.
29.
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
29. far . . . wicked—in His
love and favor (Psalms 22:11;
Psalms 119:155).
30.
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
30. light of the eyes— (). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from
anxiety as to our course; so
good report—or,
"doctrine" (Isaiah 28:9;
Isaiah 53:1),
maketh . . . fat—or,
"gives prosperity" (Proverbs 3:13-17;
Proverbs 9:11). The last clause is
illustrated by the first.
31.
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
31, 32. (Compare ).
reproof of life—which
leads to life.
abideth . . . wise—is
numbered among them.
32.
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
32. refuseth—or, "neglects,"
"passes by" (Proverbs 1:25;
Proverbs 4:15).
despiseth . . . soul—so
acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.
33.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
33. The fear . . . wisdom—Wisdom
instructs in true piety.
before . . .
humility—(compare Luke 24:26;
1 Peter 1:11); opposite (compare 1 Peter 1:11).