1.
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
1, 2. (Compare Proverbs 23:3;
Proverbs 23:17; Psalms 37:1).
2.
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
2. studieth—meditateth.
talk . . . mischief—Their
expressed purposes are to do evil.
3.
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
3, 4. (Compare Proverbs 14:1;
Isaiah 54:14).
house—including the
family.
4.
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
4. by knowledge . . . riches—
(Proverbs 8:18; Proverbs 21:20).
5.
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
5, 6. The general statement
(Ecclesiastes 9:16; Ecclesiastes 9:18)
is specially illustrated (compare Proverbs 21:22;
Psalms 144:1).
6.
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellers there is safety.
7.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
7. (Compare ).
in the gate—(Compare ).
8.
He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
8. So called even if he fails to
do evil.
9.
The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
9. Same thought varied.
10.
If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
10. Literally, "If thou
fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is
thy strength," which is then truly tested.
11.
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
11, 12. Neglect of known duty is
sin (James 4:17).
ready—literally,
"bowing down"
to be slain—that is,
unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed
ignorance.
12.
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
13.
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
13, 14. As delicious food whets
the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.
14.
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
14. reward—literally, "after
part," the proper result (compare Proverbs 23:18;
Psalms 37:37; Psalms 37:38).
15.
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
15, 16. The plots of the wicked
against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.
16.
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
16. seven times—often, or many
(Proverbs 6:16; Proverbs 6:31;
Proverbs 9:1).
17.
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
17, 18. Yet let none rejoice
over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by
relieving the sufferer (compare Proverbs 17:5;
Job 31:29).
18.
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19.
Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
19, 20. (Psalms 37:1;
Psalms 37:38; Proverbs 18:28).
20.
For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
20. candle—or, "prosperity";
it shall come to an end (Proverbs 13:9;
Proverbs 20:20).
21.
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
21, 22. A warning against
impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Romans 13:1-7;
1 Peter 2:17).
meddle . . . change—(Compare
Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the
society of restless persons.
22.
For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
22. their calamity, c.—either
what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their
company suffer better the first.
23.
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
23. These . . . wise—literally,
"are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of
David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses
following, Proverbs 24:24-34.
to have respect—literally,
"to discern faces," show partiality,
24.
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
24, 25. of which an example is
justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a
blessing.
25.
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26.
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
26. kiss his lips—love and
obey, do homage (Psalms 2:12;
Song of Solomon 8:1).
right answer—literally,
"plain words" (compare Song of Solomon 8:1), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.
27.
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
27. Prepare . . . in the
field—Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build;
provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather
pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.
28.
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
28. Do not speak even truth
needlessly against any, and never falsehood.
29.
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
29. Especially avoid retaliation
(Matthew 5:43-45; Romans 12:17).
30.
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
30, 31. A striking picture of
the effects of sloth.
31.
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32.
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
32-34. From the folly of the
sluggard learn wisdom (Proverbs 6:10;
Proverbs 6:11).
33.
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34.
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.