29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me, I will render to the man according to his work.
Say not, I will recompense evil: wait on Jehovah, and he shall save thee.
See that no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;
And Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had humbled his sister Tamar. And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king's sons. And Absalom came to the king, and said, Behold, now, thy servant has sheepshearers; let the king, I pray thee, and his servants go with thy servant. And the king said to Absalom, No, my son, let us not all go, lest we be burdensome to thee. And he urged him, but he would not go; and he blessed him. And Absalom said, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said to him, Why should he go with thee? But Absalom pressed him; and he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. And Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, Smite Amnon; then slay him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
recompensing to no one evil for evil: providing things honest before all men: if possible, as far as depends on you, living in peace with all men; not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance [belongs] to me, *I* will recompense, saith the Lord. If therefore thine enemy should hunger, feed him; if he should thirst, give him drink; for, so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?" And he said to them, "As they did to me, so have I done to them."
But *I* say unto you, not to resist evil; but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other; and to him that would go to law with thee and take thy body coat, leave him thy cloak also. And whoever will compel thee to go one mile, go with him two. To him that asks of thee give, and from him that desires to borrow of thee turn not away. Ye have heard that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy. But *I* say unto you, Love your enemies, [bless those who curse you,] do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who [insult you and] persecute you,
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 24
Commentary on Proverbs 24 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 24
Pr 24:1-34.
1, 2. (Compare Pr 23:3, 17; Ps 37:1).
2. studieth—meditateth.
talk … mischief—Their expressed purposes are to do evil.
3, 4. (Compare Pr 14:1; Isa 54:14).
house—including the family.
4. by knowledge … riches—(Pr 8:18; 21:20).
5, 6. The general statement (Ec 9:16, 18) is specially illustrated (compare Pr 21:22; Ps 144:1).
7. (Compare Pr 14:16).
in the gate—(Compare Pr 22:22).
8. So called even if he fails to do evil.
9. Same thought varied.
10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.
11, 12. Neglect of known duty is sin (Jas 4:17).
ready—literally, "bowing down"
to be slain—that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.
13, 14. As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.
14. reward—literally, "after part," the proper result (compare Pr 23:18; Ps 37:37, 38).
15, 16. The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Ps 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.
16. seven times—often, or many (Pr 6:16, 31; 9:1).
17, 18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Pr 17:5; Job 31:29).
19, 20. (Ps 37:1, 38; 18:28).
20. candle—or, "prosperity"; it shall come to an end (Pr 13:9; 20:20).
21, 22. A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Ro 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:17).
meddle … change—(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons.
22. their calamity, &c.—either what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their company suffer; better the first.
23. These … wise—literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, Pr 24:24-34.
to have respect—literally, "to discern faces," show partiality,
24, 25. of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.
26. kiss his lips—love and obey, do homage (Ps 2:12; So 8:1).
right answer—literally, "plain words" (compare Pr 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.
27. Prepare … in the field—Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.
28. Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.
29. Especially avoid retaliation (Mt 5:43-45; Ro 12:17).
30, 31. A striking picture of the effects of sloth.
32-34. From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Pr 6:10, 11).