19 A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
In whose heart is perverseness, Who deviseth evil continually, Who soweth discord.
A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall perish.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:
I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth `them' out of the church.
But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. This wisdom is not `a wisdom' that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings:
Cast out the scoffer, and contention will go out; Yea, strife and ignominy will cease.
A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
and set two men, base fellows, before him, and let them bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst curse God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him to death. And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who dwelt in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, according as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. And the two men, the base fellows, came in and sat before him: and the base fellows bare witness against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did curse God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.
If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing, then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Jehovah, before the priests and the judges that shall be in those days; and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and have testified falsely against his brother; then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to do unto his brother: so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee. And those that remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil in the midst of thee.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 6
Commentary on Proverbs 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 6
Pr 6:1-35. After admonitions against suretyship and sloth (compare Pr 6:6-8), the character and fate of the wicked generally are set forth, and the writer (Pr 6:20-35) resumes the warnings against incontinence, pointing out its certain and terrible results. This train of thought seems to intimate the kindred of these vices.
1, 2. if—The condition extends through both verses.
be surety—art pledged.
stricken … hand—bargained (compare Job 17:3).
with a stranger—that is, for a friend (compare Pr 11:15; 17:18).
3. come … friend—in his power.
humble … sure thy friend—urge as a suppliant; that is, induce the friend to provide otherwise for his debt, or secure the surety.
4, 5. The danger requires promptness.
6-8. The improvident sluggards usually want sureties. Hence, such are advised to industry by the ant's example.
9, 10. Their conduct graphically described;
11. and the fruits of their self-indulgence and indolence presented.
as … travelleth—literally, "one who walks backwards and forwards," that is, a highwayman.
armed man—that is, one prepared to destroy.
12. A naughty person—literally, "A man of Belial," or of worthlessness, that is, for good, and so depraved, or wicked (compare 1Sa 25:25; 30:22, &c.). Idleness and vice are allied. Though indolent in acts, he actively and habitually (walketh) is ill-natured in speech (Pr 4:24).
13, 14. If, for fear of detection, he does not speak, he uses signs to carry on his intrigues. These signs are still so used in the East.
14. Frowardness—as in Pr 2:14.
deviseth—literally, "constructs, as an artisan."
mischief—evil to others.
discord—especially litigation. Cunning is the talent of the weak and lazy.
15. Suddenness aggravates evil (compare Pr 6:11; 29:1).
calamity—literally, "a crushing weight."
broken—shivered as a potter's vessel; utterly destroyed (Ps 2:9).
16-19. six … seven—a mode of speaking to arrest attention (Pr 30:15, 18; Job 5:19).
17. proud look—literally, "eyes of loftiness" (Ps 131:1). Eyes, tongue, &c., for persons.
19. speaketh—literally, "breathes out," habitually speaks (Ps 27:12; Ac 9:1).
20-23. (Compare Pr 1:8; 3:3, &c.).
22. it—(compare Pr 6:23); denotes the instruction of parents (Pr 6:20), to which all the qualities of a safe guide and guard and ready teacher are ascribed. It prevents the ingress of evil by supplying good thoughts, even in dreams (Pr 3:21-23; Ps 19:9; 2Pe 1:19).
23. reproofs—(Pr 1:23) the convictions of error produced by instruction.
24. A specimen of its benefit. By appreciating truth, men are not affected by lying flattery.
25. One of the cautions of this instruction, avoid alluring beauty.
take—or, "ensnare."
eyelids—By painting the lashes, women enhanced beauty.
26. The supplied words give a better sense than the old version: "The price of a whore is a piece of bread."
adulteress—(Compare Margin), which the parallel and context (Pr 6:29-35) sustain. Of similar results of this sin, compare Pr 5:9-12.
will hunt—alluding to the snares spread by harlots (compare Pr 7:6-8).
precious life—more valuable than all else.
27-29. The guilt and danger most obvious.
30, 31. Such a thief is pitied, though heavily punished.
31. sevenfold—(compare Ex 22:1-4), for many, ample (compare Ge 4:24; Mt 18:21), even if all his wealth is taken.
32. lacketh understanding—or, "heart"; destitute of moral principle and prudence.
33. dishonour—or, "shame," as well as hurt of body (Pr 3:35).
reproach … away—No restitution will suffice;
34, 35. nor any terms of reconciliation be admitted.
regard—or, "accept" any ransom.