5 Every one that is proud in heart. e Chap. 6. 17. is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

& 8. 13.

Heb. held

innocent.

f Ps. 37. 16. chap. 15. 16.

g Ver. 1.

+ Heb.

Divination.

h Lev. 19. 36. chap. 11. 1.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

98 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

10+ A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11 A just weight and balance are Heb all the the LORD'S: +all the weights of the bag are his work.

stones.

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight

dered, with much better sense, and much nearer to the Hebrew, "God hath ordained every thing to that which is fit to it, and the wicked hath He ordained for the day of evil;" that is, The wisdom of God hath fitted one thing to another, punishment to sin, the evil day to the evil doer. Abp. Tillotson.

"Even the wicked for the day of evil;" that is, even the most wicked and the worst of men are under his direction and control: however they may be set on mischief, they can proceed no further than God permits, being instruments only in his hands to afflict others, and bring evil upon them. Dr. Waterland.

The meaning is, as Scripture elsewhere expresses, "The wicked are reserved to the day of destruction, they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath," Job xxi. 30. Dr. S. Clarke.

The wicked are indeed the work of God's hands, as being a part of the creation; and He gave them the faculties which they have abused and perverted to a sinful purpose: but this power to abuse and pervert is inseparable from the character of a free agent. The true meaning of this passage is, that God made all things to display his own glorious attributes; and that even wicked men, whose existence and frequent prosperity may seem scarcely reconcilable with the Divine perfections, will, in the end, be found to furnish the strongest proof of his long-suffering in bearing with their iniquities, and of his power and justice in punishing their incorrigible depravity; upon such men "the day of evil" will certainly come. Bp. Tomline.

6. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged:] By a sincere observance of God's law, iniquity is most effectually purged away sorrow for sin may begin repentance, but obedience only completes it. Wogan.

10. A divine sentence is &c.] God is present in an especial manner with a pious king, inspiring his mind with sagacity to penetrate doubtful and obscure things, that all causes may be decided by him so justly and

and their contrary vices.

of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

Before CHRIST about 1000.

15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as iChap. 19.12. a cloud of the latter rain.

16 How much better is it to get k Chap. 8. 11. wisdom than gold? and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver?

17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

& 18. 12.

18 Pride goeth before destruction, 1 Chap. 11. 2. and an haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

:

understand

20 He that handleth a matter! Or, He that wisely shall find good and whoso m trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. 21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

n

eth a matter. m Ps. 2. 12. 125. 1. Jer. 17. 7.

& 34. 8. &

Isa. 30. 18.

n Chap. 13.

22 Understanding is a wellspring 14.

exactly, that no man may be wronged in the judgment which he passes. Bp. Patrick.

11. — all the weights of the bag are his work.] That is, God requires exact justice in all our dealings, and therefore it is our duty to take care that the weights and balance be just. Dr. Wells. In the margin, "all the stones."-Stones were anciently used for weights. Dr.

Isham.

14. The wrath of a king &c.] The wrath of a king strikes terrour into him with whom he is offended, no less than if the sentence of death were pronounced upon him; but a virtuous and prudent man appeases his anger and makes a reconciliation. Bp. Patrick.

as messengers of death:] It is usual in Turkey, when a warrant for a person's death is procured, for an executioner to carry it to him, and execute it immediately. The same seems to have been the case in Palestine, 1 Kings ii. 25; Matt. xiv. 10. This may perhaps be considered as giving peculiar energy to the term " messengers of death" here used. Harmer.

15.-as a cloud of the latter rain.] As a cloud producing the grateful rain of spring. See note at Deut. xi. 14. Job uses a similar comparison to express how he was esteemed and desired by his people, Job xxix. 23. Calmet.

17. The highway of the upright] The habitual and accustomed course of the upright. Wogan.

18. Pride goeth before destruction,] That is, pride and haughtiness commonly bring men to shame and destruction; they lead to it, and generally end in it. Dr. Waterland. Pride makes men rash and peevish, obstinate and insolent; and this seldom fails to bring down ruin upon them. Dr. S. Clarke.

Moral virtues,

Before CHRIST

and their contrary vices.

CHAP. XVII.

of life unto him that hath it: but the

about 1000. instruction of fools is folly.

+ Heb.

23 The heart of the wise + teacheth

o Chap. 14.

12.

+ Heb. The soul of him

lips.

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26 He that laboureth laboureth that labour for himself; for his mouth + craveth it of him.

elh.

↑ Heb.

boweth unto

him.

+ Heb.

A man of
Belial.

p Chap. 6. 14,

19. & 15. 18.

27

An ungodly man diggeth up evil and in his lips there is as burning fire.

:

a

28 P A froward man + soweth strife: & 26, 21. & and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29. 22.

+ Heb. sendeth forth.

vey his mind pleasantly to others, adds a greater value to his wisdom, and makes it more diffusive, as well as more instructive to the world. Bp. Patrick.

26. He that laboureth &c.] A man needs no other inducement to labour than his own profit and necessity; for it is by his labour that he must sustain himself and uphold nature, which craveth it of him. Bp. Hall.

27.-diggeth up evil:] This expression signifies labouring after evil with toil and application, searching for it as a person searcheth for a hidden treasure. "In his lips there is as a burning fire;" he carries on his tongue a burning fire, which spreads on every side destruction and devastation. Calmet.

30. He shutteth his eyes] Expressing the profound study with which he contrives the ruin of others. Bp.

Patrick.

32.than he that taketh a city.] It is a greater thing, in case of great provocation, to calm a man's own spirit, than to storm and take a strong city. Abp. Tillotson.

33. The lot is cast &c.] The lots are thrown at random, but the overruling hand of God disposeth of them, how they shall light. Bp. Hall.

Hence every good man may draw this comfortable reflection, that he is not left to the caprice or hazard of a blind chance; but that his least, as well as greatest, concerns, are under the constant and infallible direction

Before CHRIST about 1000.

a Chap. 15.

cheer.

quietness therewith, than an 17. house full of || sacrifices with strife. || Or, good 2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

6 Children's children are the d Ps. 127. 3. crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7+ Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do + lying lips prince.

8 A gift is as a + precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

of excellency.

a

Heb. 4 lip Heb. a lip

of lying.

e

16.

Chap. 18.
Heb. stone

of grace.

Chap. 10.

12.

9 He that covereth a transgression || seeketh love; but he that Or, repeateth a matter separateth very

friends.

10 | A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

procureth.

|| Or, A reproof aweth

more a wise strike a fool

man, than to

an hundred times.

of Infinite wisdom, which maketh "all things work together for good to them that love God." Wogan.

Chap. XVII. ver. 1. -a dry morsel,] A morsel of bread, without butter or oil, which the Hebrews were wont to use. Bp. Patrick.

an house full of sacrifices] When sacrifices were offered in the temple, it was usual for the person to have a feast at home with his friends on the remains of the animals slain. Thus a house full of sacrifices means a house full of good provision. See Prov. vii. 14. Caimet.

2. A wise servant shall have rule &c.] Probity and prudence are so much better than mere riches and noble birth, that a wise and faithful servant sometimes arrives at the honour of being appointed the governor of a son, whose folly and wickedness make him a discredit to his family. Bp. Patrick.

8. A gift is as a precious stone &c.] Secret gifts are wont to win favour to those who bring them; and, if they fall into the hands of corrupt judges, they have power to draw them on either side, and to sway any cause whatever. Bp. Hall.

9. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love;] He that concealeth within himself an offence done to him by his friend, takes a course to maintain friendship and love. Bp. Hall.

g Rom. 12. 17.

1 Thess. 5. 15.

1 Pet. 3. 9.

h Exod. 23. 7.

Isa. 5. 23. ch. 24. 24.

i Chap. 18. 24.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 18 * A man void of + understanding + Heb. heart. striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

k Chap. 6. 1. & 11. 15.

+ Heb. The froward of heart.

Chap. 10. 1.

and their contrary vices.

Before CHRIST

22 m A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit about 1000. drieth the bones.

m Chap. 15.

| Or, to a

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out 13. & 12. 25. of the bosom to pervert the ways of medicine. judgment.

14. & 8. 1.

24 n Wisdom is before him that n Eccles. 2. hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20+ He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. 21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

11. An evil man seeketh only &c.] An evil man is so refractory, that he has shaken off all reverence to God or to his governours, and is so wholly bent on mischief, that he cannot be reclaimed; therefore a severe execution shall be done upon him, to cut him off in his folly without mercy. Bp. Patrick.

12. a bear robbed of her whelps] The female bear is eminent for intense affection to her young, and dreadfully furious when deprived of them, as many writers have observed. Parkhurst.

14. The beginning of strife &c.] This observation is no less true than the image is lively: while passion is kept within its proper channel, all is safe and well; but if once we suffer the banks, that should dam it, to be broken down, it roars and rages like a mighty torrent, and overspreads and carries all before it. Dean Stanhope. 16. Wherefore is there a price &c.] A wealthy fool doth in vain hope by means of his riches to purchase wisdom, since he has not a heart that is capable of it. Bp. Hall.

17..-a brother is born for adversity.] To give help in the season of adversity. Dr. Wells.

18.-striketh hands, &c.] See notes at chap. vi. 1. 19. he that exalteth his gate] This seems to be a figurative expression for a haughty carriage in general. Dr. Durell.

22. a broken spirit drieth the bones.] Preys upon the strength, and eats out the vigour of the constitution. Bp. Horne.

HROUGH desire a man, hav- Or. He that ing

and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

separateth

seeketh according to

intermeddleth

2 A fool hath no delight in under- his desire and standing, but that his heart may discover itself.

3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

in every

business.

valuables. Thus perhaps the expression here may not be intended to convey any idea of secrecy, but merely to mark out something precious and valuable, as being carried in the bosom. Calmet.

24. the eyes of a fool &c.] The eyes of a fool are constantly wandering every where, and his thoughts fix on nothing that may avail to his good. Bp. Hall.

26.-princes] Ör, "honourable men.' "Schultens. 27.—is of an excellent spirit.] In the margin, “ of a cool spirit." A man of understanding is of a well tempered spirit, not too forward in putting himself forth. Bp. Hall.

Chap. XVIII. ver. 1. Through desire a man, &c.] He that in a fervent desire of knowledge has set himself apart to its continual study, labours to inform himself in all parts of wisdom, so that he may not be a stranger to any kind of learning. Bp. Hall.

"Having separated himself."-A total separation from society and its pleasures,' for the pursuit of wisdom, cannot be the meaning of the text, because that is contrary to the main tenour of the book of Proverbs; and besides, it is obvious that every one man's sense, however excellent, unless it mixes in society with that of others, always degenerates into singularity and caprice. Seed.

2. A fool hath no delight &c.] A fool will never take pleasure in true understanding, but all the design of his studies is to make a vain ostentation of wisdom unto others. Bp. Patrick.

3. When the wicked cometh,] Wheresoever the wicked

4 The words of a man's mouth about 1000. are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

a Chap. 20. 5. b Chap. 24.

23.

Lev. 19. 15. Deut. 1. 17.

& 16. 19.

c Chap. 10. 14. & 12. 13. & 13. 3.

d Chap. 12.

18. & 26. 22. | Or, whisperer.

Or, like as when men

are wounded. ↑ Heb. chambers.

e Ps. 18. 2. & 27. 1. & 144.

2.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth

+ Heb. is set into it, and †is safe.

aloft.

f Chap. 10.

15.

g Chap. 11. 2. & 15. 33. & 16. 18.

+ Heb. returneth a word.

- are as wounds,] The Hebrew word here rendered "wounds," occurs no where else in the Bible, and translators have differed much in rendering the "The words of the talebearer inflict a deadly wound on those who are the objects of his calumny, and sink deep into the minds of all who hear them." Bp. Patrick. The Hebrew word is allied to one in Arabick, which signifies "to swallow quickly or greedily." Thus perhaps the meaning may be, "are like dainties which are eagerly swallowed up by those who hear them." Schultens. Otherwise, " are like subtile poisons, which insinuate themselves, and produce their effects insensibly, for they penetrate into the inward parts of the belly, where they lie rankling and gnawing the vitals." Dr. Durell.

9. — is brother to him] Is little better than he that is a great spender; he equally consumes the estate with which he is entrusted. Bp. Hall. See the note on Job

XXX. 29.

11. The rich man's wealth is his strong city,] This verse seems opposed to the preceding. The righteous rests all his stre ngth on God, the name of God is his strong tower; but the rich man regards his riches as an impregnable fortress. Calmet.

14. The spirit of a man &c.] A resolute and un

and their contrary vices.

CHRIST

14 The spirit of a man will sustain Before his infirmity; but a wounded spirit about 1000. who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man's gift maketh room for h Chap. 17. 8. him, and bringeth him before great men.

17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

14. & 13. 2.

20 i A man's belly shall be satisfied i Chap. 12. with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be

filled.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

14.

22k Whoso findeth a wife findeth a k Chap. 19. good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

bounded spirit is able to bear up against infirmities of mind and body: but if the heart of a man be wounded, and dejected with any crosses which befall him, what means has he of any longer sustaining himself? there remains no remedy, but he must needs droop and yield. Bp. Hall.

66

but a wounded spirit who can bear?] The words admit also of being rendered, a wounded (or dejected) spirit who can raise it up?" As both senses are true and pertinent, we may well take the passage in both; for the misery of a broken spirit is, that it is very hard to be borne, and that it is without remedy or support. The words may be understood, not of a wounded conscience merely, but of a wounded spirit in general, wounded by grief, and sinking under its load of troubles, no particular cause of trouble being expressed. They contain a caution against yielding too far to any troubles or misfortunes, against letting our spirits sink, or our courage fail us in our day of calamity. Dr. Waterland.

16.-maketh room for him, &c.] Opens a way for him, and procures him admittance before great men. Calmet. See note on Gen. xxi. 27.

17. He that is first &c.] He that is first in telling his own cause, seems to have justice on his side; but his neighbour cometh and examines what was said by him, and then shews the falsity of it. Dr. Wells.

18. The lot causeth contentions &c.] In some cases of difficult adjustment, the casting of lots is an equal way of determining the controversy, and of putting each party in quiet possession of that which falls to his share. Bp. Patrick.

22. Whoso findeth a wife] The Greek and almost all the old versions read, "whoso findeth a good wife." Dr. Durell. The meaning is, "one who truly answers to the character of a wife." Dr. Wells. "Obtaineth favour of the Lord;" hath met with an excellent bless

ing, and ought thankfully to acknowledge the favour of God in guiding his mind to so happy a choice. Bp. Patrick.

Chap. XIX. ver. 1.—than he that is perverse &c.] Than he that gathers great riches by fraud and circumvention, which he takes to be cunning, but which will prove folly in the end. Bp. Patrick.

2.- he that hasteth-sinneth.] "He that hastethstumbleth or falleth." He that comes rashly to his determinations, without weighing all the circumstances, cannot but stumble and err. Bp. Hall.

3. The foolishness of man &c.] Men commit numberless errours through ignorance or inconsideration, and so miss their ends; and then their heart frets not against themselves for their misfortunes, but against the Lord, as if providence were unkind to them. Dr. Wells.

10. Delight is not seemly for a fool;] A foolish man is unable to make a good use of pleasures; he will use them without rule and without measure, and will often destroy himself by them. Calmet.

much less for a servant &c.] Power is still less suited to a vile slave, who is intolerably insolent when he can wantonly domineer over the greatest persons. Bp. Patrick.

12.- as the roaring of a lion; &c.] The roaring of a lion, it is said, is so terrible, that in a wild state all other animals fly away in consternation at the very sound. In the same manner, cruel and headstrong kings spread on every side alarm and consternation. Calmet.

as dew upon the grass.] In hot Eastern climates, where it rarely rains in summer, the copious dews which fall during the night, contribute greatly to the nourish

and their contrary vices.

Before CHRIST

8 He that getteth +wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth under- about 1000. standing shall find good.

+ Heb. an

e Ver. 5.

9 e A false witness shall not be un- heart. punished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have f Eccles. 10. rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

h

12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13 ↑ A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

6.

i

ch. 30. 22.

g Chap. 14.

29.

or,

prudence.

Chap. 16. 28. 15.

15. & 20. 2.

&

Chap. 10. 1. 17. 21, 25.

& 15. 20. &

k Chap. 21. 9. & 27. 15.

14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and 1a prudent 1Chap. 18. wife is from the LORD.

22.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul m shall suffer m Chap. 10. hunger.

4. & 20. 13.

13. are a continual dropping.] Like a roof which continually drops with rain. Implying, that it is not more difficult to live in a house with such a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman. Calmet. The old English version explains "continual dropping" by "rain that droppeth and rotteth a house;" perhaps the meaning may be, like the continued dropping of the eaves of a house, or any continued gentle falling of water, than which nothing is apt to be more tiresome or distracting. Dr. Durell.

14.-a prudent wife is from the Lord.] A prudent and virtuous wife is an especial blessing from God. Bp. Hall.

15.-casteth into a deep sleep ;] Insensibly sinks the mind into a dull stupidity and unconcernedness about necessary things. Bp. Patrick.

16. - he that despiseth his ways] Cares not in how disorderly a manner he lives. Dr. Wells.

17. He that hath pity &c.] He that hath compassion on the poor, and relieves their necessities, does not impoverish but enrich himself. For the Lord considers that which is given to the poor as lent to Himself, and will not fail to make a full compensation, returning the benefit he hath done to others with large interest and increase of blessings on himself and his posterity. Bp. Patrick.

Sir Thomas More, a famous Lord Chancellor of England, used always to say, "There was more rhetorick,'