Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.
1WHOSO loveth 1instruction loveth 2knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
1 That is, the instruction whereby men are instructed to attain unto knowledge. See Prov. 1 on verse 2. Or, understand the chastisements of the Lord, which are sent to a man for that very end and purpose, as Deut. 11:2; Job 5:17; Psalm 94:12; Jer. 10:24. Compare the annotation at Prov. 9 on verse 7.
2 Unto which a man attains by discipline and instruction.
2 A 3good man obtaineth 4favour of the LORD: but a man 5of 6wicked devices will 7he 8condemn.
3 That is, he who is inclined unto good, and practices it.
4 See Prov. 8 on verse 35.
5 That is, who invents and plots mischief in his heart, or likewise actually commits it. Compare Psalm 5 on verse 6.
6 The Hebrew word is here taken in a bad sense. See of it Job 21 on verse 27. Likewise compare Prov. 14:17.
7 Namely, the Lord.
8 That is, pronounce him to be wicked, and worthy of punishment. See of the Hebrew word Deut. 25 on verse 1; Job 10 on verse 2.
3A man 9shall not be established by wickedness:a10but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
9 That is, shall not enjoy long his desire; he shall not prosper and flourish long. Compare Prov. 10:2; 11:4.
a Prov. 10:25.
10 The meaning is: the godly continue firm and unmovable in their condition, as a tree whose root spreads itself deep and wide in the ground, and is well watered, Psalm 1:3. Likewise compare Psalm 15 on verse 5; Jer. 17:8.
4 A 11virtuous womanbis a 12crown to her 13husband: but 14she that maketh ashamed is 15as rottenness in his bones.
11 That is, a wise, prudent woman, and one who knows how to keep her house in order. Hebr. a woman of prudence. See of the Hebrew word Gen. 47 on verse 6.
b 1 Cor. 11:7.
12 That is, ornament and glory. See of the word crown taken in this sense Job 19 on verse 9.
13 That is, lord. So Exod. 21:3; Joel 1:8.
14 Namely, herself and her husband; by her foolishness, improper manners and careless housekeeping. Compare Prov. 10 on verse 5.
15 That is, a grief and vexation to his soul, and a consumption to his body, because he beholds his shame always before his eyes. See the same comparison Prov. 14:30; Hab. 3:16 and the like Psalm 42:10. Likewise the contrary, Psalm 51:8.
5The thoughts of the righteous are 16right: but the 17counsels of the wicked are deceit.
16 That is, are well conceived or imagined, according as equity and justice require. Compare Num. 27:11 and the annotation.
17 This word is here taken in a bad sense for crafty inventions and cunning devices to do mischief. Elsewhere it is taken in a good sense. See of it Job 37 on verse 12.
6Thec words of the wicked ared to lie in wait 18for blood: but the mouth of the upright 19shall deliver them.
c Prov. 1:11, 18.
d Prov. 11:9.
18 See 1 Sam. 22:9, 10; Psalm 52:3, 4.
19 Namely, those for whose blood the wicked lie in wait. See examples 1 Sam. 19:4; Esther 7:2, 3.
7Thee20wicked are overthrown, and are 21not: but the 22house of the righteous shall stand.
e Psalm 37:36, etc.; Prov. 11:21.
20 Hebr. the wicked overturn, that is, are overturned, that is, destroyed.
21 That is, that they are taken away from this world. See Gen. 42:13 and the annotation. Likewise Psalm 39:13; 103:16; Jer. 31:15; Mat. 2:18. Compare also Gen. 5:24.
22 That is, the estate, riches, habitation and posterity; also 2 Sam. 7:29; Job 8:15; Psalm 49:16; Prov. 14:11.
8A man shall be 23commended 24according to his wisdom: but he that is of a 25perverse heart shall be despised.
23 Namely, of wise men and such as judge rightly.
24 That is, according as he can make it appear by words and works that he has wisdom and understanding, tending to true piety.
25 See Prov. 11 on verse 20.
9He that is 26despised,f and hath 27a servant, is better than he that honoureth 28himself, and lacketh bread.
26 Other, that is esteemed poorly. But we may plainly perceive by the opposition, that here is spoken of him who has a small and low esteem of himself.
f Prov. 13:7.
27 That is, has so much as that he may cause himself to be served and waited upon. Other, that is a servant to himself, that is, who serves himself.
28 Namely, bragging that he is a great, rich man, and has a great estate.
10A righteousgman 29regardeth the 30life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are 31cruel.
g Deut. 25:4.
29 That is, a righteous man takes care of the life of his beasts; namely, to give them what is needful for them. The word regarding is often taken for taking care and looking to. See Gen. 18 on verse 19; Psalm 1 on verse 6.
30 Hebr. soul.
31 Hebr. a cruel one, namely, people; that is, entirely none, for cruel men have no mercy at all.
11Heh that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth 32vain persons is void of understanding.
h Prov. 28:19.
32 That is, idle vagabonds, bare and necessitous persons, and such as are empty and void of virtue, and the fear of God. See Judges 9 on verse 4.
12The wicked desireth the 33net of evil men: but 34the root of the righteous 35yieldeth fruit.
33 Understand: the heinous practices and crafty devices, by which evil men use to deceive the godly, to rob them of their estate and to oppress them. Other, the net of evil things or of all manner of evil; that is, whereby all manner of iniquity is committed.
34 That is, the piety or godliness, wherein the godly are firmly rooted and grounded. Compare verse 3.
35 That is, shoot out, spring forth and bear fruit. The meaning is: that they, dealing truly and faithfully in the fear of the Lord, shall have enough. This verse is likewise thus translated: The wicked desireth indeed a strong hold against all evil, but the root of the righteous giveth the same.
13The wicked is 36snared byi the 37transgression of his lips: but the just shall 38come out of 39trouble.
36 That is, the snare wherein the wicked man himself is caught.
i Prov. 10:14; 18:7.
37 Namely, which a wicked man, in speaking, commits against God and against his neighbor.
38 Namely, by the wise and discreet use of his lips.
39 That is, out of great trouble.
1440Aj man shall be satisfied with 41good by the 42fruit of his mouth: and the recompence 43of a man's hands shall be rendered unto 44him.
40 Hebr. By the fruit of a man’s mouth is he satisfied with good; that is, according as everyone shall use his tongue well, shall receive good at the hand of God.
j Prov. 13:2.
41 That is, which concerns both his temporal and eternal welfare.
42 Understand his wise and godly speeches. Compare Prov. 13:2; 18:20.
43 Understand of a man’s own hands.
44 That is, obtain again of God out of free grace. According as everyone has done, it shall be likewise done unto him.
1545Thek way of a fool is right 46in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto 47counsel is wise.
45 See Gen. 6 on verse 12.
k Prov. 3:7.
46 That is, according to his opinion and judgment. See Lev. 13 on verse 5; Job 18 on verse 3.
47 Namely, which is holy; and wholesome, so that he trusts not to his own understanding and discretion.
16A fool's wrath is 48presentlyl49known: but a 50prudent man covereth 51shame.
48 That is, at the same time and season that he is grown angry at the hurt done to him.
l immediately*
49 Namely, by his words, gestures and actions.
50 Also on verse 23. See of this word Prov. 1 on verse 4.
51 Namely, which proceeds from sudden anger.
17Hem that 52speaketh truth sheweth forth 53righteousness: but a false witness 54deceit.
m Prov. 14:5.
52 Hebr. bloweth.
53 That is, discovers what rightly agrees with that which is done or spoken, in order that no man may be wronged.
54 That is, not agreeing with the truth of the thing that is done, and that to hurt a man craftily thereby.
18Theren is that 55speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is 56health.
n Psalm 57:4; 59:7; Prov. 16:27.
55 That is, that with rash and ill-advised speeches, hurt and wound their neighbor in his mind, honor, life and wellbeing; as a man is hurt and wounded in his body with a sword. See 1 Sam. 22:9, 10; Psalm 57:4; 59:7.
56 That is, as medicine, it not only cures and heals that which is weakened and hurt, but also preserves from being weakened and hurt. Compare Prov. 4 on verse 22.
1957The lip of truth shall be 58established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
57 Or, A true lip, that is, which speaks truth. Also lip of flattery, which speaks flattery, Psalm 12:2; lips of lying, which speak falsehood, Psalm 31:18; lips of knowledge, which utter knowledge, Prov. 14:7. So later in this verse tongue of falsehood or of lies, is put for a tongue which speaks falsehood or lies. Likewise verse 22. Also lips of righteousness, which speak or utter righteous words, Prov. 16:13.
58 Truth (and consequently he who speaks truth) abides constantly and is always fixed and immovable in itself, although it be sometimes spoken against.
20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine 59evil: but to the counsellors of peace is 60joy.
59 Namely, the evil of dissension and of strife.
60 Namely, in their heart in the sight of God, and in their life in the sight of men.
21There shall no 61evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
61 Or, trouble, or, affliction, namely, which would be so inflicted to him by the wicked, as that he would remain under it, and it shall be to him prosperously in all things, Rom. 8:28. Other, no iniquity shall befall him, namely, into which the righteous would come to fall as such that he would not be raised up again out of it by the Spirit of God. Of the Hebrew word rendered here see Job 5 on verse 6.
2262Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal 63truly are his 64delight.
62 See on verse 19.
63 Hebr. perform faithfulness or truth, that is, those who in words and deeds, both towards God, and towards their neighbor, keep truth and faithfulness sincerely and uprightly. So Ezek. 18:9; 1 John 1:6.
64 That is, well-pleasing and acceptable unto Him. Also Prov. 11:20.
23 Ao prudent man 65concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools pproclaimeth 66foolishness.
o Prov. 13:16; 15:2.
65 That is, he pours it not out by foolish and vaunting discourse, that he may thereby make a show of himself.
p Prov. 13:16; 15:2.
66 That is, all manner of ignorance and error, concerning faith and the life and practice of men.
24Theq hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the 67slothful shall be 68under tribute.
q Prov. 10:4.
67 Hebr. the deceit shall be, etc. See Job 35 on verse 13. Understand by these deceivers, the idle, lazy, slothful vagabonds, who because they will not work, seek to reap by cheating and thievery their livelihood. See Prov. 10:4 and the annotation. Likewise see verse 27 below.
68 That is, to those who rule and have dominion, give tribute. See the same phrase Judges 1:30, 35; Lam. 1:1.
25Heavinessr in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
r Prov. 15:13.
26The righteous is 69more excellent than his 70neighbour: but the 71way of the wicked 72seduceth them.
69 Namely, in the sight of God and of good men, who look not on the outward pomp and prosperity of this life, but on the good that is begun in the godly here, and shall be completed and perfected hereafter.
70 Namely, who is wicked.
71 That is, life, practice and course of dealing.
72 Namely, themselves and others; namely, by the outward show which the wicked make of ease, delight, pleasure, riches, honor, greatness, high estate.
2773The slothful man 74roasteth not 75that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a 76diligent man is 77precious.
73 Hebr. the deceit. See on verse 24, previously.
74 That is, not use nor enjoy.
75 Understand hereby all manner of wealth gotten by cunning and deceitful practices.
76 Namely, keeping himself busy in an upright, lawful labor or conduct.
77 So is wealth or riches, well and honestly gotten, called, because it will better tarry with a man, and do him more good, then that which is gotten by fraud and deceit. Other, the wealth of a diligent man is precious. Other, the precious wealth of a man is diligence. Other, the wealth shall be the precious (that is, the godly) and diligent men. Some take it thus: the wealth of the precious (that is, of the godly) man shall be cut off (that is, be used, and enjoyed.)
2878In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
78 Compare Prov. 10:16.