Various maxims and observations of Solomon, collected by the men of Hezekiah, about kings, and other subjects of both private and public concern.
1THE awicked flee when no man pursueth: but bthe righteous are bold as a lion.
a Le. 26.17,36. De. 28.7,25. Ps. 53.5. b Ac. 4.13; 14.3. 2Sa. 17.10. ch. 30.30.
2For cthe transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: dbut 1by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
1Or, by men of understanding and wisdom shall they likewise by prolonged.
c 1Ki. 16. 2Ki. 15. 2Ch. 36. d Job 22.30. Eze. 22.30. Ec. 9.15. 1Ki. 11.12,36; 15.4.
3A epoor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain 2which leaveth no food.
2Heb. without food.
e Mat. 18.28-30.
4They fthat forsake the law gpraise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
f Ps. 10.3. Mal. 3.15. 1Ki. 18.18; 20.42; 22.15-23. Ac. 12.22. Mat. 14.3. Ep. 5.11. g Ro. 1.32.
5hEvil men understand not judgment: but ithey that seek the LORD understand all things.
h Jn. 7.17. Ps. 92.6. Je. 4.22; 8.7. 1Co. 2.14,15. 1Jn. 2.20,27. i Ps. 119.100.
6jBetter is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
j ch. 19.1; 12.26. Ps. 16.3. v.18. 1Ki. 18.21. Ps. 12.2.
7kWhoso keepeth the law is a wise son: lbut he that 3is a companion of *riotous men shameth his father.
3Or, feedeth gluttons.
*riotous men-gluttons.
k ch. 29.3; 1.8; 2.1-6; 3.1,4. l v.24. ch. 10.5; 29.15; 13.20.
8He mthat 4by *usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
4Heb. by increase.
*usury-interest on money lent.
m ch. 13.22. Ec. 2.26. Job 27.16,17.
9He nthat turneth away his ear from hearing the law, oeven his prayer shall be abomination.
n Zec. 7.11. 2Ti. 4.3. ch. 1.24-28. o Ps. 66.18; 109.7. ch. 15.8; 21.4,27.
10pWhoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but qthe upright shall have good things in possession.
p ch. 26.27. Ps. 7.15,16; 9.15; 10.2. Ec. 10.8. q Mat. 6.33. Ps. 37.11,29,31.
11The rrich man is wise 5in his own *conceit; but sthe poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
5Heb. in his eyes.
*conceit-opinion, conception.
r ch. 26.16. Is. 10.13. s ch. 18.17. Ec. 9.11,15.
12tWhen righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is 6hidden.
6Or, sought for.
t v.28. ch. 11.10; 29.2. Ec. 10.6. He. 11.38.
13He uthat covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
u Ps. 32.3,5. Job 31.33. 1Jn. 1.8-10. Je. 3.12,13; 31.18-20.
14vHappy is the man that feareth alway: wbut he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
v ch. 23.17. Ps. 112.1. w Ro. 11.20; 2.5. ch. 29.1. Ex. 7-14. Le. 26.18,21.
15As xa roaring lion, and a *ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
*ranging-roving.
x Ex. 1.12,13. Es. 3.9,10. Mat. 2.16. 2Ki. 15.16; 21.16; 23.35. Je. 4.7; 50.17. 2Ti. 4.17. 1Pe. 5.8.
16The yprince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but zhe that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
y 1Ki. 12.11,14. 1Sa. 8.11-17. z 1Ki. 2.11; 11.42; 15.10; 22.42.
17A aman that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man *stay him.
*stay-stop, hold back.
a Ge. 9.6. Ex. 21.14. Nu. 35.31.
18bWhoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
b Ps. 84.11. ch. 10.9,25; 11.3-7. v.6. Ps. 73.18-20. Mat. 27.3-5.
19He cthat *tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
*tilleth-cultivates.
c ch. 12.11; 13.20; 23.21; 1.18,19; 9.6. Ps. 1.4.
20A dfaithful man shall abound with blessings: ebut he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be 7innocent.
7Or, unpunished.
d Ps. 1.1-3; 112.1-9; 128.1-6. e ch. 13.11; 23.4; 20.21. 1Ti. 6.9.
21To fhave respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
f ch. 18.5; 24.23. Le. 19.15. De. 16.19. Ja. 2.1,2. Ex. 23.1-8. Eze. 13.19.
228He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, gand considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
8Or, He that hath an evil eye hasteth to be rich, v.20. 1Ti. 6.9.
g Ge. 13.10; 19.17. Job 20.22; 27.16. Ps. 52.5. Ja. 1.9. ch. 13.11; 20.13.
23hHe that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
h ch. 27.5,6. Ps. 141.5. Mat. 18.15.
24Whoso irobbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of 9a destroyer.
9Heb. a man destroying.
i Ju. 17.2. ch. 19.26.
25He jthat is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: kbut he that putteth his trust in the LORD lshall be made fat.
j ch. 13.10; 6.17,19; 18.15. k Ps. 2.12; 84.12; 13.5; 37.3-7; 84.11,12. Je. 17.7,8. l 1Ti. 6.6.
26He mthat trusteth in his own heart is a fool: nbut whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
m ch. 3.5,6. 1Co. 2.14. Ro. 8.7. Je. 17.9. n 2Ti. 3.15. ch. 2.8-16. Is. 1.16-19.
27He othat giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
o De. 15.7,8. ch. 22.9; 11.26; 21.13; 19.17. Ps. 41.1-3. He. 13.16. Is. 58.7.
28pWhen the wicked rise, men qhide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
p v.12. ch. 29.2. Ps. 12.1,8. q Job 24.4.