15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city:1

The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life:- the fruit of the wicked to sin.

17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction:

But he that refuseth reproof erreth [or, causeth to err].

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin:4

But he that refraineth his lips is wise.

20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver :-the heart of the wicked is little worth.

21 The lips of the righteous feed many :-but 'fools die for want of wisdom.

22 771

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich,—and he addeth no sorrow with it.5 23" It is as sport to a fool to do mischief:

But a man of understanding hath wisdom.

24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him:
But the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more:
But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes,
So is the sluggard to them that send him.

27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days:

But the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness:8

But the expectation of the wicked shall perish. 29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity."

30 The righteous shall never be removed:

C But the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. 10

31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: But the froward tongue shall be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: But the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

11A/false balance is abomination to the LORD:—but a just weight 12 is his delight.

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame :- but with the lowly is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them:

* But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: 18

But righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way:
"But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them :
But transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

79 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish:
And the hope of unjust men perisheth.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 14

9 An 'hypocrite 15 with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: "But through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 18

5 Or, perhaps, and sorrow (i. e. anxiety) adds nothing to it.' Comp. Psa. cxxvii. 2; Matt. vi. 25-34.

6 This verse may be rendered, 'As mischief is delight to a fool, so wisdom [is delight] to a man of understanding.' 7 That is, what he fears. Comp. Gen. xxxi. 42.

8 That is, it shall be fulfilled to his joy.

Jehovah; but [it is] destruction to the workers of iniquity. Comp. Hos. xiv. 9.

10 Or, 'the land;' i. e. Canaan. See note on eh. i 21. 11 He has useful and opportune words always ready. 12 Heb., stone;' stones being used for weights, a they were also anciently in England.

13 That is, in the day of the wrath of God: see Erek. vii. 19; Rom. ii. 5.

14 That is, he falls into the troubles from which the good man is delivered. See refs.

15 Or, 'The polluted.' See note on Job viii. 13 16 Rather, Through the knowledge of the righteous, men are delivered.' The wicked injures his fellow m

9 Rather, 'A fortress to uprightness [is] the way of but the just man's wisdom profits them.

13 A talebearer3 revealeth secrets:

But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14 Where no counsel is, the people fall:

But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it:

And he that hateth suretiship is sure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour:-and strong men retain riches.5

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul:

But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work:

But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward."

i

19 As righteousness tendeth to life:

* So he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own deata.

20 They that are 'of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: But such as are upright in their way are his delight.

21" Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout,

So is a fair woman which is without [departeth from] discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good:

But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;

And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.9

25 The liberal soul 10 shall be made fat:

And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

e

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;—and he that winneth souls is wise.13

31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed 14 in the earth:

Much more the wicked and the sinner.

12 Whoso loveth instruction 15 loveth knowledge: But he that hateth reproof is brutish.

1 The blessing they invoke; i. e. their prayers.

2 Rather, 'He that despiseth his neighbour is void of wisdom.' The man who treats others with disrespect disgraces himself.

3 Or, 'slanderer.' See Lev. xix. 16; Jer. vi. 28; ix. 4. 4 Or, 'guidance.' See Job xxxvii. 12.

5 The meaning perhaps is, 'A woman of grace (i. e. beauty) holds fast honour, as strong men hold fast riches. Beauty is as dangerous a possession as wealth; and she who has it needs firmness of principle to preserve herself from shame.

6 Or, the wicked obtains a delusive gain; but he that sows righteousness [obtains] a true (i. e. real) reward.' In the Hebrew there is an emphatic alliteration. 7 Or, referring to the preceding verse, Thus righteousness tendeth to life,' etc.

8 Literally, Hand to hand.' The parallel clause and a similar idiom in Persian suggest the meaning, through all generations.

rch. 28. 12, 28; Est. 8. 15, 16.

2 KL 11. 13-20; Job 27..23.

z eh. 29. 8: 2 Chr. 32. 20-22; Ecc. 9. 15.

a eh. 10. 19; 1 Sam. 10. 27.

bch. 25. 9: Le. 19. 16.

ch. 15. 22; 24. 6;

1 Ki. 12. 1, 6-19.

d see refs. ch. 6. 1.

e eh. 31. 30, 31.

1 Sam. 15. 6; Pe. 41. 1-4: Mt. 57; 25. 34-40.

g Judg. 1. 6,7; 1 Sam. 15. 33; Job 20. 1923.

A Hos. 10, 12, 13; Gal 6. 8, 9; Jam. 3. 18.

i ver. 4; ch. 10. 16; 12. 28.

ch. 1. 16-19; 8. 36.

ch. 8. 13.

meh. 15. 8; Ps 11. 7.

n ch. 16 5; Num. ch. 16; Jos. 9. 1, 2.

• Ge. 17. 7, 8; P. 37. 26; 112. 1, 2

P Pa. 4. 6; I. 26. 9.

9 ver. 7; Ro. 2. 8, 9.

ch. 19. 17; Deu. 15. 10; Ps. 112. 9; Ecc. 11. 1, 6; 2 Cor. 9. 5-11.

Hag. 1. 6, 9-11.

ch. 28. 27; 1 Kl. 17. 10, etc.; 2 Ki. 4. 837: Is. 32. 8; 2 Cor. 9.6-10.

u Mt. 5. 7.

Am. 8. 4-6. y Job 29. 13.

Num. 22. 6; 24. 17; Est. 7. 10; Ps. 7. 14 -16; 9. 15, 16; 10. 2: 57.6.

a ch. 10. 15; Job 31. 24; Ps. 52. 7: Mk. 10. 24; Lk. 12. 21; 1 Tim. 6. 17.

b Ps. 1. 3; 52. 8: 92.

12, etc.; Jer. 17. 8.

e Ge. 34. 30; Jos. 7. 24, 25: Ecc. 5. 16.

d ch. 3. 18.

Dan. 12. 3; 1 Cor. 9. 19-23; Jam. 5. 20.

Jer. 25. 29; 1 Pet. 4. 17, 18.

9 Neither will a judicious benevolence impoverish any, nor will a selfish and inhuman thriftiness enrich.

10 Heb., 'The soul of blessing.' Benevolence enriches the heart in which it dwells.

11 That is, the benedictions of the people. This seems to refer especially to times of famine, when some men hoarded corn in order to obtain exorbitant profit.

12 This may, perhaps, refer to undue exaction of labour, which produces vexation; but more probably to mismanagement, which may reduce a man to extreme poverty, and so oblige him to become a servant to the careful.

13 Rather, the wise man winneth souls;' i. e. by his wisdom he gains the confidence of others, and wins them over to virtue and goodness.

14 Rather, 'requited;' i. e. even the righteous, if he sins, shall be chastised; much more shall the wilful and habitual sinner. The Septuagint has a very free rendering of this verse, which is quoted in 1 Pet. iv. 18. 15 Rather, 'correction;' as in ch. xxii. 15.

2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD:

But a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: But the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:

But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 1

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right:2

m

But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.3

7 P The wicked are overthrown, and are not :4

But the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 He that is despised, and hath a servant,

Is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. 5

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: 6

But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread:

But he that followeth vain persons? " is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the nets of evil men:

* But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: But the just shall come out of trouble.

14a A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth:

And the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:

d But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16A fool's wrath is presently known:-but a prudent man covereth shame. 10

17 He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness:11

But a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh 12 like the piercings of a sword: But the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil : But to the counsellors of peace is joy. 13

21 There shall no evil happen to the just:

But the wicked shall be filled with mischief. 22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: But they that deal truly are his delight. 23" A prudent man concealeth knowledge:

But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. 24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: But the slothful shall be under tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: But a good word maketh it glad.

26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: 14 'But the way of the wicked seduceth them.

1 Destroying all comfort, and wasting health and life. 2 Rather, 'justice.'

3 That is, the intended victims of the wicked.

4 When once the wicked are overthrown, there is no

hope of restoration.

3 Rank without comfort is much to be pitied.

6 Heb., 'knows the soul of his beast;' i. e. regards its desires and necessities.

7 Or, indolent persons.'

8 It is better to render the verse, 'The wicked desireth the protection of wicked men;' i. e. looks to his comrades for help; but the root of the righteous yieldeth it;' i. e. the upright man finds safety in his righteousness.

9 Every man's words and deeds shall bring back to himself good or evil.

10 That is, he suppresses his feelings under shamefti treatment. This is put in contrast to the conduct of the indiscreet man in the preceding clause.

11 That is, a true witness aids justice.

12 Rather, 'babbleth.' This may refer to the Aasty words of anger, or to the thoughtless talk of gossip.

13 Deceit may be put here for 'disappointment; but more probably joy' stands for its cause, ‘truth,” which is the opposite of 'deceit.'

14 Rather, The righteous shows the way to his neigh bour;' i. e. he instructs and guides him by his example.

1

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting:

But the substance of a diligent man is precious.1

28 In the way of righteousness is life;

And in the pathway thereof there is no death.

13 A wise son heareth his father's "instruction :- but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth:

* But the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

i

4

7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing:

* There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

8 'The ransom of a man's life are his riches :- but the poor heareth not rebuke.5 9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth:6

But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 Only by pride cometh contention :-P but with the well advised is wisdom."

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished:

But he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

r

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick :

But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

13 Whoso 'despiseth the word shall be destroyed:

"But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

b

15 Good understanding giveth favour:-but the way of transgressors

C

10 is hard.

16 Every prudent man dealeth11 with knowledge:-"but a fool layeth open his folly. 17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief:

But a faithful ambassador is health.

18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: But he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: 12 But it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: 'But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

21 Evil pursueth sinners :-'but to the righteous good shall be repaid.

22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. 13

23. Much food is in the tillage of the poor;

> But there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. 14

1 Or, 'A man's precious treasure is a diligent person.' An idle man, who neglects even the game he has caught, is contrasted with one who is valuable for his diligence.

2 That is, he that speaks inconsiderately.

3 Or, but the wicked man acts foully and disgracefully.'

4 Or, 'pretendeth that he is rich.' Outward appearances often deceive because men try to conceal their real condition. But the verse may refer to the craving of the miser, and the satisfaction of the contented.

5 Or, accusation.' Under arbitrary governments, rich men are often falsely accused, for the purpose of exacting a ransom from them. To this the poor are not exposed.

That is, 'shines cheerfully;' their prosperity is real and lasting.

7 The meaning is, By pride (i. e. by proudly holding to one's own opinion) one shall cause contention; but with

u ch. 8. 35; 10. 16;

11. 19.

ch. 12. 1.

1 Sam. 2. 25.

y ch. 12. 14; 18. 20.

z ch. 10. 11.

a ch. 10. 19; 21. 23: Ps. 39. 1; Jam. 3. 2.

b ch. 10. 4; 26. 13.

e ch. 8. 34; 2 Pet. 1. 5-11.

d eh. 11. 25; 28. 25; Is. 5. 11.

e 1 Ki 22. 13. 14.

Ac. 12. 21-23.

g ch. 11. 3, 5, 6.

A eh. 5. 22; 21. 12.

ch. 11. 24: 12. 9; Rev. 3. 17.

* Rev. 2. 9.

Ex. 21. 30; Job 2. 4. my KL. 25. 12.

neh. 4 18; Ps. 97. 11.

• ch. 24. 20: Job 18. 5, 6; 21. 17.

ch. 12. 15; 17. 14.

9 ch. 10. 2; 20, 21: Jer. 17. 11; Hab. 2. 6, 7.

Ge. 15. 2, 3; Ps. 143. 7.

ver. 19: Ge. 21. 38; Ps. 40. 2, 3; Lk. 2. 28-32.

ch. 1. 25, 30, 31 2 Ki. 7. 2, 17-20;

2 Chr. 36. 16: Ac. 13. 40, 41; Heb. 10. 24, 29.

Ex. 9. 20, 25; Ps. 19. 11.

ch. 10. 11; 14. 27; 16.22.

y ch. 15. 24.

2 Sam. 22. 6.

a Dan. 1. 8, 9: 6.3.

& 2 Ki. 5. 20, etc., Jer.

2. 19; Jon. ch. 2; Ro. 6. 21.

e eh. 12. 23; 15. 2.

d Ece. 10. 3.

e ch. 25. 13.

ch. 15, 5, 31; Ps.

141. 5.

g ver. 12.

A ch. 2. 20; 2 Ki. 2.9;

Ps. 119, 63.

1 Cor. 15. 33.

* Num. 32. 23; 1 Ki 2. 31, 32; Ps. 32. 10; 140. 11.

Is. 3. 10, 11; Ro. 2. 7-10,

m Num. 14. 24; Jos. 14. 14.

n ch. 288; Est. 8. 1; Job 27. 16, 17; Ece. 2. 26.

o eh. 12. 11 14; 28. 19.

P ch. 6, 6-11.

those who allow themselves to be advised there is wisdom. 8 Or, Wealth is diminished by vanity,' i. e. folly. But some render it, Wealth dwindles away sooner than a breath; but he that gathers it into his hands (i. e. with care and perseverance) increases it.'

9 The word' here is the same as the law (or instruction) of the wise' in ver. 14.

10 Rather, the way of treacherous men is stony.' Straightforward good sense procures esteem; but crafty dealings, instead of making a man's course easier, make it more rough and difficult.

11 That is, he acts with deliberation.

12 The gratification of a man's desire is sweet to him; and [therefore] fools cannot bear to depart from evil.

13 So that the dealings of Providence must not be judged of by the condition of one generation. Comp. ch. xxviii. 8; Job xxvii. 16, 17.

14 That is, justice. The poor, by honest industry, often attain competence, whilst the unjust come to ruin.

24 He that spareth his rod1 hateth his son:

But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul:
'But the belly of the wicked shall want.
14Every wise woman buildeth her house :2

But the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride:4

But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean :5

But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

5A faithful witness will not lie:- but a false witness will utter lies.

6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not:6

But knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.

7 Go from the presence of a foolish man,

When thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge."

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: But the folly of fools is deceit. 8

9 Fools make a mock at sin :

but among the righteous there is favour.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;

And "the end of that mirth 11 is heaviness.

14 The backslider in heart 12 shall be filled with his own ways:

And a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

15 The simple believeth every word:

But the prudent man looketh well to his going.

16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil : But the fool rageth, and is confident. 13

17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly :-and a man of wicked devices is hated. ver. ; 2 Kis il 18 The simple inherit folly :-but "the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

19 The evil bow before the good;-and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

12; Ece. 7. B uch. 4. 7-9.

y eb. 19. 46.

20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour:- but the rich hath many friends. ch. 7. 21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth :

But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. 14

22 Do they not err 15 that devise evil?

But mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.

23 In all labour there is profit :-but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. 16

24 The crown of the wise is their riches: 17-but the foolishness of fools is folly.

25 A true witness delivereth souls: 18-but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

1 That is, correction. Corporal punishment is not the

only, and not always the best, chastening.

2 By her wisdom and diligence she keeps her family in comfort and peace. It is on females that the happiness or the discomfort of domestic life mainly depends. 3 True piety produces correct behaviour.

4 His proud speeches bring their own punishment. 5 Oxen are much used in the husbandry of the East; and the meaning seems to be, that every good must have some inconvenience, to which a wise man will cheerfully submit for his advantage.

6 Without sincerity and humility no man can hope to attain true wisdom. Comp. Psa. xxv. 9.

7 Rather, for thou dost not perceive [in him] lips of knowledge;' i. e. he has none to give thee.

8 That is, it deceives them.

9 Some render this, 'Sin mocks fools.'

ver. 31 ch. 13 U;

see refs. Pa the 1.

a ch. 8. 19.

& P. 1129; 1 Tim. & 17. IS

ever. S

10 Human sympathy cannot reach the heights and depths of personal experience. But God understands all, and to Him we may open our hearts.

11 Rather, of mirth itself.' This may mean, that beneath apparent joy, grief may be concealed; and that earthly joy surely ends in the grief of disappointment. 12 Or, He whose heart is turned from God.' 13 Or, But the fool is haughty and confident.' 14 Or, Blessed be he!'

15 That is, 'Do not they stagger and wander?' Le like drunken men, who miss their way and hurt themselves.

16 Working without talking may make men rich; but talking without working will make men poor.

17 Because the wise know how to use them well. But in all circumstances and stations, a fool is a fool still. 18 That is, persons endangered by false accusation.