21 It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
And you have put me to shame among my people for a little barley and some bits of bread, sending death on souls for whom there is no cause of death, and keeping those souls living who have no right to life, by the false words you say to my people who give ear to what is false.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
Do not be moved to do wrong by the general opinion, or give the support of your words to a wrong decision:
Take no rewards in a cause: for rewards make blind those who have eyes to see, and make the decisions of the upright false.
This is what the Lord has said about the prophets by whom my people have been turned from the right way; who, biting with their teeth, say, Peace; and if anyone puts nothing in their mouths they make ready for war against him.
Their hands are made ready to do evil; the ruler makes requests for money, and the judge is looking for a reward; and the great man gives decisions at his pleasure, and the right is twisted.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 28
Commentary on Proverbs 28 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 28
Pro 28:1
See here,
Pro 28:2
Note,
Pro 28:3
See here,
Pro 28:4
Note,
Pro 28:5
Note,
Pro 28:6
Here,
Pro 28:7
Note,
Pro 28:8
Note,
Pro 28:9
Note,
Pro 28:10
Here is,
Pro 28:11
Note,
Pro 28:12
Note,
Pro 28:13
Here is,
Pro 28:14
Here is,
Pro 28:15
It is written indeed, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people; but if he be a wicked ruler, that oppresses the people, especially the poor people, robbing them of the little they have and making a prey of them, whatever we may call him, this scripture calls him a roaring lion and a ranging bear.
Pro 28:16
Two things are here intimated to be the causes of the mal-administration of princes:-
Pro 28:17
This agrees with that ancient law, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed (Gen. 9:6), and proclaims,
Pro 28:18
Note,
Pro 28:19
Note,
Pro 28:20
Here,
Pro 28:21
Note,
Pro 28:22
Here again Solomon shows the sin and folly of those that will be rich; they are resolved that they will be so, per fas, per nefas-right or wrong; they will be so with all speed; they are getting hastily an estate.
Pro 28:23
Note,
Pro 28:24
As Christ shows the absurdity and wickedness of those children who think it is no duty, in some cases, to maintain their parents (Mt. 15:5), so Solomon here shows the absurdity and wickedness of those who think it is no sin to rob their parents, either by force or secretly, by wheedling them or threatening them, or by wasting what they have, and (which is no better than robbing them) running into debt and leaving them to pay it. Now,
Pro 28:25
Note,
Pro 28:26
Here is,
Pro 28:27
Here is,
Pro 28:28
This is to the same purport with what we had, v. 12.