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Ask a QuestionOpen...cause--Plead for those who cannot plead for themselves, as the orphan, stranger, &c. (compare Ps 72:12; Isa 1:17). appointed to destruction--who are otherwise ruined by their oppressors...
The figure of Pr 3:13 carried out. it--that is, wisdom. merchandise of silver--acquisition by trading. fine gold--dug gold, solid as a nugget.
Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct.
clean--or, "faultless." weigheth--or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Pr21:2; 24:12).
A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come.
a deep sleep--a state of utter indifference. idle...
Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin.
ungodly witness--(Compare Margin), one false by bad principles (compare Pr 6:12). scorneth judgment--sets at naught the...
Wicked people speak mischief to their neighbours. A man may sometimes do a good work with one good word.
The words--or, "expressed designs" of the wicked are for evil purposes. the mouth--or,...
It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin.
The idler's fate is the...
Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.
speaketh--literally, "speaketh hastily," or...
The righteous is abundant; though not in this world's goods, yet in the graces and comforts of the Spirit, which are the true riches. Evil men vainly flatter themselves that their ways are not...
The great King who reigns over heaven and earth, will reward faithful servants who honour his gospel by the proper discharge of the duties of their stations: he despises not the services of the...
The belly is here put for the heart, as elsewhere; and what that is filled with, our satisfaction will be accordingly, and our inward peace.
(Compare Pr 12:14; 13:2). Men's words are the fruit,...
Of all wanderers in the ways of sin, those are in the most dangerous condition who turn aside into the ways of darkness. Yet there is hope even for them in the all-sufficient Saviour; but let...
The slothful man makes no good use of the advantages Providence puts in his way, and has no comfort in them. The substance of a diligent man, though not great, does good to him and his family. He...
inherit--as a portion. shame--or disgrace, as opposed to honor. promotion--(Compare Margin); as honor for well-doing makes men conspicuous, so fools are signalized by disgrace.
As...mother...her daughter--"Is," and "so is," are not in the original; the ellipsis gives the proverb (but two words in the Hebrew) epigrammatic brevity. Jerusalem proved herself a true daughter...
My son--This paternal form denotes a tender regard for the reader. Filial sentiments rank next to piety towards God, and ensure most distinguished rewards (compare Pr 6:20; Eph 6:2, 3).
keepeth...way--God defends the right way, and those in it. saints--objects of favor (compare Ps 4:3, &c.). He guides and guards them.
law [and] commandments--all divine instructions (see on Ps 119:1 and Ps 119:4). let thine heart keep--or sincerely observe (Pr 4:13; 5:2).
thine honour--in whatever consisting, strength (Pr 3:13) or wealth. thy years--by cutting them off in dissipation. unto the cruel--for such the sensual are apt to become.
It is an offence to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty.
abomination...Lord--as reversing His method of acting (Pr 3:32;12:2).(Compare Pr 3:30). lest...shame--lest you do what you ought not, when shamed by defeat, or "lest thou art shut out from doing any thing."
fruit...way--result of conduct (Isa 3:10; Eze 11:21; Ro 6:21; Ga6:7, 8). be filled--even to repletion (Ps 123:4).
caused...yield--or, "inclines." flattering--(Compare Pr 5:3). forced him--by persuasion overcoming his scruples.
shame--(Compare Pr 3:35). a blot--or, "stain on character." Both terms denote the evil done by others to one whose faithfulness secures a wise man's love.
The riches of men of wisdom and piety enlarge their usefulness.
(Compare Pr 3:16). foolishness...folly--Folly remains, or produces folly; it has no benefit.
The vile sin of licentiousness commonly besots the mind beyond recovery.
The mouth--or flattering speeches (Pr 5:3; 7:5) ensnare man, as pits, beasts. God makes their own sin their punishment.Trust...heart--This is the center and marrow of true wisdom (Pr22:19; 28:25). The positive duty has its corresponding negation in the admonition against self-confidence.
The place of wisdom in the economy of creation and providence commends it to men, who, in proportion to their finite powers, may possess this invaluable attribute, and are thus encouraged by the...