Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Proverbs » Chapter 24

Proverbs 24:1-34 King James Version (KJV)

1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

6 For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked:

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

23 These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

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.

30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Proverbs 24:1-34 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Be not thou envious H7065 against evil H7451 men, H582 neither desire H183 to be with them.

2 For their heart H3820 studieth H1897 destruction, H7701 and their lips H8193 talk H1696 of mischief. H5999

3 Through wisdom H2451 is an house H1004 builded; H1129 and by understanding H8394 it is established: H3559

4 And by knowledge H1847 shall the chambers H2315 be filled H4390 with all precious H3368 and pleasant H5273 riches. H1952

5 A wise H2450 man H1397 is strong; H5797 yea, a man H376 of knowledge H1847 increaseth H553 strength. H3581

6 For by wise counsel H8458 thou shalt make H6213 thy war: H4421 and in multitude H7230 of counsellors H3289 there is safety. H8668

7 Wisdom H2454 is too high H7311 for a fool: H191 he openeth H6605 not his mouth H6310 in the gate. H8179

8 He that deviseth H2803 to do evil H7489 shall be called H7121 a mischievous H4209 person. H1167

9 The thought H2154 of foolishness H200 is sin: H2403 and the scorner H3887 is an abomination H8441 to men. H120

10 If thou faint H7503 in the day H3117 of adversity, H6869 thy strength H3581 is small. H6862

11 If thou forbear H2820 to deliver H5337 them that are drawn H3947 unto death, H4194 and those that are ready H4131 to be slain; H2027

12 If thou sayest, H559 Behold, we knew H3045 it not; doth not he that pondereth H8505 the heart H3826 consider H995 it? and he that keepeth H5341 thy soul, H5315 doth not he know H3045 it? and shall not he render H7725 to every man H120 according to his works? H6467

13 My son, H1121 eat H398 thou honey, H1706 because it is good; H2896 and the honeycomb, H5317 which is sweet H4966 to thy taste: H2441

14 So shall the knowledge H3045 of wisdom H2451 be unto thy soul: H5315 when thou hast found H4672 it, then there shall be H3426 a reward, H319 and thy expectation H8615 shall not be cut off. H3772

15 Lay not wait, H693 O wicked H7563 man, against the dwelling H5116 of the righteous; H6662 spoil H7703 not his resting place: H7258

16 For a just H6662 man falleth H5307 seven times, H7651 and riseth up again: H6965 but the wicked H7563 shall fall H3782 into mischief. H7451

17 Rejoice H8055 not when thine enemy H341 falleth, H5307 and let not thine heart H3820 be glad H1523 when he stumbleth: H3782

18 Lest the LORD H3068 see H7200 it, and it displease H7489 H5869 him, and he turn away H7725 his wrath H639 from him.

19 Fret H2734 not thyself because of evil H7489 men, neither be thou envious H7065 at the wicked; H7563

20 For there shall be no reward H319 to the evil H7451 man; the candle H5216 of the wicked H7563 shall be put out. H1846

21 My son, H1121 fear H3372 thou the LORD H3068 and the king: H4428 and meddle H6148 not with them that are given to change: H8138

22 For their calamity H343 shall rise H6965 suddenly; H6597 and who knoweth H3045 the ruin H6365 of them both? H8147

23 These things also belong to the wise. H2450 It is not good H2896 to have respect H5234 of persons H6440 in judgment. H4941

24 He that saith H559 unto the wicked, H7563 Thou art righteous; H6662 him shall the people H5971 curse, H5344 nations H3816 shall abhor H2194 him:

25 But to them that rebuke H3198 him shall be delight, H5276 and a good H2896 blessing H1293 shall come H935 upon them.

26 Every man shall kiss H5401 his lips H8193 that giveth H7725 a right H5228 answer. H1697

27 Prepare H3559 thy work H4399 without, H2351 and make it fit H6257 for thyself in the field; H7704 and afterwards H310 build H1129 thine house. H1004

28 Be not a witness H5707 against thy neighbour H7453 without cause; H2600 and deceive H6601 not with thy lips. H8193

29 Say H559 not, I will do H6213 so to him as he hath done H6213 to me: I will render H7725 to the man H376 according to his work. H6467

30 I went H5674 by the field H7704 of the slothful, H376 H6102 and by the vineyard H3754 of the man H120 void H2638 of understanding; H3820

31 And, lo, it was all grown over H5927 with thorns, H7063 and nettles H2738 had covered H3680 the face H6440 thereof, and the stone H68 wall H1444 thereof was broken down. H2040

32 Then I saw, H2372 and considered it well: H7896 H3820 I looked H7200 upon it, and received H3947 instruction. H4148

33 Yet a little H4592 sleep, H8142 a little H4592 slumber, H8572 a little H4592 folding H2264 of the hands H3027 to sleep: H7901

34 So shall thy poverty H7389 come H935 as one that travelleth; H1980 and thy want H4270 as an armed H4043 man. H376

Proverbs 24:1-34 American Standard (ASV)

1 Be not thou envious against evil men; Neither desire to be with them:

2 For their heart studieth oppression, And their lips talk of mischief.

3 Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established;

4 And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might,

6 For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8 He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker.

9 The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.

11 Deliver them that are carried away unto death, And those that are ready to be slain see that thou hold back.

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work?

13 My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste:

14 So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place:

16 For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown;

18 Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked:

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; `And' company not with them that are given to change:

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it?

23 These also are `sayings' of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him:

25 But to them that rebuke `him' shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them.

26 He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.

27 Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips.

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.

30 I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32 Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction:

33 `Yet' a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep;

34 So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man.

Proverbs 24:1-34 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 Be not envious of evil men, And desire not to be with them.

2 For destruction doth their heart meditate, And perverseness do their lips speak.

3 By wisdom is a house builded, And by understanding it establisheth itself.

4 And by knowledge the inner parts are filled, `With' all precious and pleasant wealth.

5 Mighty `is' the wise in strength, And a man of knowledge is strengthening power,

6 For by plans thou makest for thyself war, And deliverance `is' in a multitude of counsellors.

7 Wisdom `is' high for a fool, In the gate he openeth not his mouth.

8 Whoso is devising to do evil, Him they call a master of wicked thoughts.

9 The thought of folly `is' sin, And an abomination to man `is' a scorner.

10 Thou hast shewed thyself weak in a day of adversity, Straitened is thy power,

11 If `from' delivering those taken to death, And those slipping to the slaughter -- thou keepest back.

12 When thou sayest, `Lo, we knew not this.' Is not the Ponderer of hearts He who understandeth? And the Keeper of thy soul He who knoweth? And He hath rendered to man according to his work.

13 Eat my son, honey that `is' good, And the honeycomb -- sweet to thy palate.

14 So `is' the knowledge of wisdom to thy soul, If thou hast found that there is a posterity And thy hope is not cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked one, At the habitation of the righteous. Do not spoil his resting-place.

16 For seven `times' doth the righteous fall and rise, And the wicked stumble in evil.

17 In the falling of thine enemy rejoice not, And in his stumbling let not thy heart be joyful,

18 Lest Jehovah see, and `it be' evil in His eyes, And He hath turned from off him His anger.

19 Fret not thyself at evil doers, Be not envious at the wicked,

20 For there is not a posterity to the evil, The lamp of the wicked is extinguished.

21 Fear Jehovah, my son, and the king, With changers mix not up thyself,

22 For suddenly doth their calamity rise, And the ruin of them both -- who knoweth!

23 These also are for the wise: -- To discern faces in judgment is not good.

24 Whoso is saying to the wicked, `Thou `art' righteous,' Peoples execrate him -- nations abhor him.

25 And to those reproving it is pleasant, And on them cometh a good blessing.

26 Lips he kisseth who is returning straightforward words.

27 Prepare in an out-place thy work, And make it ready in the field -- go afterwards, Then thou hast built thy house.

28 Be not a witness for nought against thy neighbour, Or thou hast enticed with thy lips.

29 Say not, `As he did to me, so I do to him, I render to each according to his work.'

30 Near the field of a slothful man I passed by, And near the vineyard of a man lacking heart.

31 And lo, it hath gone up -- all of it -- thorns! Covered its face have nettles, And its stone wall hath been broken down.

32 And I see -- I -- I do set my heart, I have seen -- I have received instruction,

33 A little sleep -- a little slumber -- A little folding of the hands to lie down.

34 And thy poverty hath come `as' a traveller, And thy want as an armed man!

Proverbs 24:1-34 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 Be not thou envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;

2 for their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

3 Through wisdom is a house built, and by understanding it is established;

4 and by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant substance.

5 A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

6 For with good advice shalt thou make thy war; and in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he will not open his mouth in the gate.

8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a master of intrigues.

9 The purpose of folly is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men.

10 [If] thou losest courage in the day of trouble, thy strength is small.

11 Deliver them that are taken forth unto death, and withdraw not from them that stagger to slaughter.

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not, will not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that preserveth thy soul, he knoweth it; and he rendereth to man according to his work.

13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; and a honeycomb is sweet to thy taste:

14 so consider wisdom for thy soul; if thou hast found it, there shall be a result, and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; lay not waste his resting-place.

16 For the righteous falleth seven times, and riseth up again; but the wicked stumble into disaster.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth;

18 lest Jehovah see it, and it be evil in his sight, and he turn away his anger from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, [and] be not envious of the wicked:

20 for there shall be no future to the evil [man]; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear Jehovah and the king: meddle not with them that are given to change.

22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

23 These things also come from the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous, peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him;

25 but to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing cometh upon them.

26 He kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer.

27 Prepare thy work without, and put thy field in order, and afterwards build thy house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and wouldest thou deceive with thy lips?

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.

30 I went by the field of a sluggard, and by the vineyard of a man void of understanding;

31 and lo, it was all grown over with thistles, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 Then I looked, I took it to heart; I saw, I received instruction:

33 -- A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest!

34 So shall thy poverty come [as] a roving plunderer, and thy penury as an armed man.

Proverbs 24:1-34 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Don't be envious of evil men; Neither desire to be with them:

2 For their hearts plot violence, And their lips talk about mischief.

3 Through wisdom a house is built; By understanding it is established;

4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all rare and beautiful treasure.

5 A wise man has great power; And a knowledgeable man increases strength;

6 For by wise guidance you wage your war; And victory is in many advisors.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: He doesn't open his mouth in the gate.

8 One who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.

9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

10 If you falter in the time of trouble, Your strength is small.

11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

12 If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" Doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; The droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:

14 So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; If you have found it, then there will be a reward, Your hope will not be cut off.

15 Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting-place:

16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;

18 Lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; Neither be envious of the wicked:

20 For there will be no reward to the evil man; And the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.

21 My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious:

22 For their calamity will rise suddenly; The destruction from them both--who knows?

23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" Peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him--

25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, And a rich blessing will come on them.

26 An honest answer Is like a kiss on the lips.

27 Prepare your work outside, And get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips.

29 Don't say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

30 I went by the field of the sluggard, By the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down.

32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

33 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep;

34 So shall your poverty come as a robber, And your want as an armed man.

Proverbs 24:1-34 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Have no envy for evil men, or any desire to be with them:

2 For the purposes of their hearts are destruction, and their lips are talking of trouble.

3 The building of a house is by wisdom, and by reason it is made strong:

4 And by knowledge its rooms are full of all dear and pleasing things.

5 A wise man is strong; and a man of knowledge makes strength greater.

6 For by wise guiding you will overcome in war: and in a number of wise guides there is salvation.

7 Wisdom is outside the power of the foolish: he keeps his mouth shut in the public place.

8 He whose purposes are bad will be named a man of evil designs.

9 The purpose of the foolish is sin: and the hater of authority is disgusting to others.

10 If you give way in the day of trouble, your strength is small.

11 Be the saviour of those who are given up to death, and do not keep back help from those who are slipping to destruction.

12 If you say, See, we had no knowledge of this: does not the tester of hearts give thought to it? and he who keeps your soul, has he no knowledge of it? and will he not give to every man the reward of his work?

13 My son, take honey, for it is good; and the flowing honey, which is sweet to your taste:

14 So let your desire be for wisdom: if you have it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not keep a secret watch, O evil-doer, against the fields of the upright man, or send destruction on his resting-place:

16 For an upright man, after falling seven times, will get up again: but trouble is the downfall of the evil.

17 Do not be glad at the fall of your hater, and let not your heart have joy at his downfall:

18 For fear that the Lord may see it, and it may be evil in his eyes, and his wrath may be turned away from him.

19 Do not be troubled because of evil-doers, or have envy of sinners:

20 For there will be no future for the evil man; the light of sinners will be put out.

21 My son, go in fear of the Lord and the king: have nothing to do with those who are in high positions:

22 For their downfall will come suddenly; and who has knowledge of the destruction of those in high positions?

23 These are more sayings of the wise: To have respect for a person's position when judging is not good.

24 He who says to the evil-doer, You are upright, will be cursed by peoples and hated by nations.

25 But those who say sharp words to him will have delight, and a blessing of good will come on them.

26 He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer.

27 Put your work in order outside, and make it ready in the field; and after that, see to the building of your house.

28 Do not be a violent witness against your neighbour, or let your lips say what is false.

29 Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will give the man the reward of his work.

30 I went by the field of the hater of work, and by the vine-garden of the man without sense;

31 And it was all full of thorns, and covered with waste plants, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 Then looking at it, I gave thought: I saw, and I got teaching from it.

33 A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep:

34 So loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 24

Commentary on Proverbs 24 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 24

Pro 24:1-2

Here,

  • 1. The caution given is much the same with that which we had before (ch. 23:17), not to envy sinners, not to think them happy, nor to whish ourselves in their condition, though they prosper ever so much in this world, and are ever so marry and ever so secure. "Let not such a thought ever come into thy mind, O that I could shake off the restraints of religion and conscience, and take as great a liberty to indulge the sensual appetite, as I see such and such do! No; desire not to be with them, to do as they do and fare as they fare, and to cast in thy lot among them.'
  • 2. Here is another reason given for this caution: "Be not envious against them, not only because their end will be had, but because their way is so, v. 2. Do not think with them, for their heart studies destruction to others, but it will prove destruction to themselves. Do not speak like them, for their lips talk of their mischief. All they say has an ill tendency, to dishonour God, reproach religion, or wrong their neighbour; but it will be mischief to themselves at last. It is therefore thy wisdom to have nothing to do with them. Nor hast thou any reason to look upon them with envy, but with pity rather, or a just indignation at their wicked practices.'

Pro 24:3-6

We are tempted to envy those that grow rich, and raise their estates and families, by such unjust courses as our consciences will by no means suffer us to use. But, to set aside that temptation, Solomon here shows that a man, with prudent management, may raise his estate and family by lawful and honest means, with a good conscience, and a good name, and the blessing of God upon his industry; and, if the other be raised a little sooner, yet these will last a great deal longer.

  • 1. That which is here recommended to us as having the best influence upon our outward prosperity is wisdom, and understanding, and knowledge; that is, both piety towards God (for that is true wisdom) and prudence in the management of our outward affairs. We must govern ourselves in every thing by the rules of religion first and then of discretion. Some that are truly pious do not thrive in the world, for want of prudence; and some that are prudent enough, yet do not prosper, because they lean to their own understanding and do not acknowledge God in their ways; therefore both must go together to complete a wise man.
  • 2. That which is here set before us as the advantage of true wisdom is that it will make men's outward affairs prosperous and successful.
    • (1.) it will build a house and establish it, v. 3. Men may by unrighteous practices build their houses, but they cannot establish them, for the foundation is rotten (Hab. 2:9, 10); whereas what is honestly got will wear like steel and be an inheritance to children's children.
    • (2.) It will enrich a house and furnish it, v. 4. Those that manage their affairs with wisdom and equity, that are diligent in the use of lawful means for increasing what they have that spare from luxury and spend in charity, are in a fair way to have their shops, their warehouses, their chambers, filled with all precious and pleasant riches-precious because got by honest labour, and the substance of a diligent man is precious-pleasant because enjoyed with holy cheerfulness. Some think this is to be understood chiefly of spiritual riches. By knowledge the chambers of the soul are filled with the graces and comforts of the Spirit, those precious and pleasant riches; for the Spirit, by enlightening the understanding, performs all his other operations on the soul.
    • (3.) It will fortify a house and turn it into a castle: Wisdom is better than weapons of war, offensive or defensive. A wise man is in strength, is in a strong-hold, yea, a man of knowledge strengthens might, that is, increases it, v. 5. As we grow in knowledge we grow in all grace, 2 Pt. 3:18. Those that increase in wisdom are strengthened with all might, Col. 1:9, 11. A wise man will compass that by his wisdom which a strong man cannot effect by force of arms. The spirit is strengthened both for the spiritual work and the spiritual warfare by true wisdom.
    • (4.) It will govern a house and a kingdom too, and the affairs of both, v. 6. Wisdom will erect a college, or council of state. Wisdom will be of use,
      • [1.] For the managing of the public quarrels, so as not to engage in them but for an honest cause and with some probability of success, and, when they are engaged in, to manage them well, and so as to make either an advantageous peace or an honourable retreat: By wise counsel thou shalt make war, which is a thing that may prove of ill consequence if not done by wise counsel.
      • [2.] For the securing of the public peace: In the multitude of counsellors there is safety, for one may foresee the danger, and discern the advantages, which another cannot. In our spiritual conflicts we need wisdom, for our enemy is subtle.

Pro 24:7-9

Here is the description,

  • 1. Of a weak man: Wisdom is too high for him; he thinks it so, and therefore, despairing to attain it, he will take no pains in the pursuit of it, but sit down content without it. And really it is so; he has not capacity for it, and therefore the advantages he has for getting it are all in vain to him. It is no easy thing to get wisdom; those that have natural parts good enough, yet if they be foolish, that is, if they be slothful and will not take pains, if they be playful and trifling, and given to their pleasures, if they be viciously inclined and keep bad company, it is too high for them; they are not likely to reach it. And, for want of it, they are unfit for the service of their country: They open not their mouth in the gate; they are not admitted into the council or magistracy, or, if they are, they are dumb statues, and stand for cyphers; they say nothing, because they have nothing to say, and they know that if they should offer any thing it would not be heeded, nay, it would be hissed at. Let young men take pains to get wisdom, that they may be qualified for public business, and do it with reputation.
  • 2. Of a wicked man, who is not only despised as a fool is, but detested. Two sorts of wicked men are so:-
    • (1.) Such as are secretly malicious. Though they speak courteously and conduct themselves plausibly, they devise to do evil, are contriving to do an ill turn to those they bear a grudge to, or have an envious eye at. He that does so shall be called a mischievous person, or a master of mischief, which perhaps was then a common name of reproach; he shall be branded as an inventor of evil things (Rom. 1:30), or if any mischief be done, he shall be suspected as the author of it, or at least accessory to it. This devising evil is the thought of foolishness, v. 9. It is made light of, and turned off with a jest, as only a foolish thing, but really it is sin, it is exceedingly sinful; you cannot call it by a worse name than to call it sin. It is bad to do evil, but it is worse to devise it; for that has in it the subtlety and poison of the old serpent. But it may be taken more generally. We contract guilt, not only by the act of foolishness, but by the thought of it, though it go no further; the first risings of sin in the heart are sin, offensive to God, and must be repented of or we are undone. Not only malicious, unclean, proud thoughts, but even foolish thoughts, are sinful thoughts. If vain thoughts lodge in the heart, they defile it (Jer. 4:14), which is a reason why we should keep our hearts with all diligence, and harbour no thoughts there which cannot give a good account of themselves, Gen. 6:5.
    • (2.) Such as are openly abusive: The scorner, who gives ill-language to every body, takes a pleasure in affronting people and reflecting upon them, is an abomination to men; none that have any sense of honour and virtue will care to keep company with him. The seat of the scornful is the pestilential chair (as the Septuagint calls it, Ps. 1:1), which no wise man will come near, for fear of taking the infection. Those that strive to make others odious do but make themselves so.

Pro 24:10

Note,

  • 1. In the day of adversity we are apt to faint, to droop and be discouraged, to desist from our work, and to despair of relief. Our spirits sink, and then our hands hang down and our knees grow feeble, and we become unfit for anything. And often those that are most cheerful when they are well droop most, and are most dejected, when any thing ails them.
  • 2. This is an evidence that our strength is small, and is a means of weakening it more. "It is a sign that thou art not a man of any resolution, any firmness of thought, any consideration, any faith (for that is the strength of a soul), if thou canst not bear up under an afflictive change of thy condition.' Some are so feeble that they can bear nothing; if a trouble does but touch them (Job 4:5), nay, if it does but threaten them, they faint immediately and are ready to give up all for gone; and by this means they render themselves unfit to grapple with their trouble and unable to help themselves. Be of good courage therefore, and God shall strengthen thy heart.

Pro 24:11-12

Here is,

  • 1. A great duty required of us, and that is to appear for the relief of oppressed innocency. If we see the lives or livelihoods of any in danger of being taken away unjustly, we ought to bestir ourselves all we can to save them, by disproving the false accusations on which they are condemned and seeking out proofs of their innocency. Though the persons be not such as we are under any particular obligation to, we must help them, out of a general zeal for justice. If any be set upon by force and violence, and it be in our power to rescue them, we ought to do it. Nay, if we see any through ignorance exposing themselves to danger, or fallen in distress, as travellers upon the road, ships at sea, or any the like, it is our duty, though it be with peril to ourselves, to hasten with help to them and not forbear to deliver them, not to be slack, or remiss, or indifferent, in such a case.
  • 2. An answer to the excuse that is commonly make for the omission of this duty. Thou wilt say, "Behold, we knew it not; we were not aware of the imminency of the danger the person was in; we could not be sure that he was innocent, nor did we know how to prove his innocence, nor which way to do any thing in favour of him, else we would have helped him.' Now,
    • (1.) It is easy to make such an excuse as this, sufficient to avoid the censures of men, for perhaps they cannot disprove us when we say, We knew it not, or, We forgot; and the temptation to tell a lie for the excusing of a fault is very strong when we know that it is impossible to be disproved, the truth lying wholly in our own breast, as when we say, We thought so and so, and really designed it, which no one is conscious of but ourselves.
    • (2.) It is not so easy with such excuses to evade the judgment of God; and to the discovery of that we lie open and by the determination of that we must abide. Now,
      • [1.] God ponders the heart and keeps the soul; he keeps an eye upon it, observes all the motions of it; its most secret thoughts and intents are all naked and open before him. It is his prerogative to do so, and that in which he glories. Jer. 17:10, I the Lord search the heart. He keeps the soul, holds it in life. This is a good reason why we should be tender of the lives of others, and do all we can to preserve them, because our lives have been precious in the sight of God and he has graciously kept them.
      • [2.] He knows and considers whether the excuse we make be true or no, whether it was because we did not know it or whether the true reason was not because we did not love our neighbour as we ought, but were selfish, and regardless both of God and man. Let this serve to silence all our frivolous pleas, by which we think to stop the mouth of conscience when it charges us with the omission of plain duty: Does not he that ponders the heart consider it?
      • [3.] He will judge us accordingly. As his knowledge cannot be imposed upon, so his justice cannot be biassed, but he will render to every man according to his works, not only the commission of evil works, but the omission of good works.

Pro 24:13-14

We are here quickened to the study of wisdom by the consideration both of the pleasure and the profit of it.

  • 1. It will be very pleasant. We eat honey because it is sweet to the taste, and upon that account we call it good, especially that which runs first from the honey-comb. Canaan was said to flow with milk and honey, and honey was the common food of the country (Lu. 24:41, 42), even for children, Isa. 7:15. Thus should we feed upon wisdom, and relish the good instructions of it. Those that have tasted honey need no further proof that it is sweet, nor can they by any argument be convinced of the contrary; so those that have experienced the power of truth and godliness are abundantly satisfied of the pleasure of both; they have tasted the sweetness of them, and all the atheists in the world with their sophistry, and the profane with their banter, cannot alter their sentiments.
  • 2. It will be very profitable. Honey may be sweet to the taste and yet not wholesome, but wisdom has a future recompence attending it, as well as a present sweetness in it. "Thou art permitted to eat honey, and the agreeableness of it to thy taste invites thee to it; but thou hast much more reason to relish and digest the precepts of wisdom, for when thou hast found that, there shall be a reward; thou shalt be paid for thy pleasure, while the servants of sin pay dearly for their pains. Wisdom does indeed set thee to work, but there shall be a reward; it does indeed raise great expectations in thee, but as thy labour, so thy hope, shall not be in vain; thy expectation shall not be cut off (ch. 23:18), nay, it shall be infinitely outdone.'

Pro 24:15-16

This is spoken, not so much by way of counsel to wicked men (they will not receive instruction, ch. 23:9), but rather in defiance of them, for the encouragement of good people that are threatened by them. See here,

  • 1. The designs of the wicked against the righteous, and the success they promise themselves in those designs. The plot is laid deeply: They lay wait against the dwelling of the righteous, thinking to charge some iniquity upon it, or compass dome design against it; they lie in wait at the door, to catch him when he stirs out, as David's persecutors, Ps. 59 title. The hope is raised high; they doubt not but to spoil his dwelling-place because he is weak and cannot support it, because his condition is low and distressed, and he is almost down already. All this is a fruit of the old enmity in the seed of the serpent against the seed of the woman. The blood-thirsty hate the upright.
  • 2. The folly and frustration of these designs
    • (1.) The righteous man, whose ruin was expected, recovers himself. He falls seven times into trouble, but, by the blessing of God upon his wisdom and integrity, he rises again, sees through his troubles and sees better times after them. The just man falls, sometimes falls seven times perhaps, into sin, sins of infirmity, through the surprise of temptation; but he rises again by repentance, finds mercy with God, and regains his peace.
    • (2.) The wicked man, who expected to see his ruin and to help it forward, is undone. He falls into mischief; his sins and his troubles are his utter destruction.

Pro 24:17-18

Here,

  • 1. The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is forbidden us. If any have done us an ill turn, or if we bear them ill-will only because they stand in our light or in our way, when any damage comes to them (suppose they fall), or any danger (suppose they stumble), our corrupt hearts are too apt to conceive a secret delight and satisfaction in it-Aha! so would we have it; they are entangled; the wilderness has shut them in-or, as Tyrus said concerning Jerusalem (Eze. 26:2) I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste. "Men hope in the ruin of their enemies or rivals to wreak their revenge or to find their account; but be not thou so inhuman; rejoice not when the worst enemy thou hast falls.' There may be a holy joy in the destruction of God's enemies, as it tends to the glory of God and the welfare of the church (Ps. 58:10); but in the ruin of our enemies, as such, we must by no means rejoice; on the contrary, we must weep even with them when they weep (as David, Ps. 35:13, 14), and that in sincerity, not so much as letting our hearts be secretly glad at their calamities.
  • 2. The provocation which that pleasure gives to God is assigned as the reason of that prohibition: The Lord will see it, though it be hidden in the heart only, and it will displease him, as it will displease a prudent father to see one child triumph in the correction of another, which he ought to tremble at, and take warning by, not knowing how soon it may be his own case, he having so often deserved it. Solomon adds an argument ad hominem-addressed to the individual: "Thou canst not do a greater kindness to thy enemy, when he has fallen, than to rejoice in it; for them, to cross thee and vex thee, God will turn his wrath from him; for, as the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God, so the righteousness of God was never intended to gratify the wrath of man, and humour his foolish passions; rather than seem to do that he will adjourn the execution of his wrath: nay, it is implied that when he turns his wrath from him he will turn it against thee and the cup of trembling shall be put into thy hand.'

Pro 24:19-20

Here,

  • 1. He repeats the caution he had before given against envying the pleasures and successes of wicked man in their wicked ways. This he quotes from his father David, Ps. 37:1. We must not in any case fret ourselves, or make ourselves uneasy, whatever God does in his providence how disagreeable soever it is to our sentiments, interests, and expectations, we must acquiesce in it. Even that which grieves us must not fret us; nor must our eye be evil against any because God is good. Are we more wise or just than he? If wicked people prosper, we must not therefore incline to do as they do.
  • 2. He gives a reason for this caution, taken from the end of that way which wicked man walk in. Envy not their prosperity; for,
    • (1.) There is no true happiness in it: Thee shall be no reward to the evil man; his prosperity only serves for his present subsistence; these are all the good things he must ever expect: there is none intended him in the world of retribution. He has his reward, Mt. 6:2. He shall have none. Those are not to be envied that have their portion in this life and must out-live it, Ps. 17:14.
    • (2.) There is no continuance in it; their candle shines brightly, but it shall presently be put out, and a final period put to all their comforts, Job 21:17; Ps. 37:1, 2.

Pro 24:21-22

Note,

  • 1. Religion and loyalty must go together. As men, it is our duty to honour our Creator, to worship and reverence him, and to be always in his fear; as members of a community, incorporated for mutual benefit, it is our duty to be faithful and dutiful to the government God has set over us, Rom. 13:1, 2. Those that are truly religious will be loyal, in conscience towards God; the godly in the land will be the quite in the land; and those are not truly loyal, or will be so no longer than is for their interest, that are not religious. How should he be true to his prince that is false to his God? And, if they come in competition, it is an adjudged case, we must obey God rather than men.
  • 2. Innovations in both are to be dreaded. Have nothing to do, he does not say, with those that change, for there may be cause to change for the better, but those that are given to change, that affect change for change-sake, out of a peevish discontent with that which is and a fondness for novelty, or a desire to fish in troubled waters: Meddle not with those that are given to change either in religion or in a civil government; come not into their secret; join not with them in their cabals, nor enter into the mystery of their iniquity.
  • 3. Those that are of restless, factious, turbulent spirits, commonly pull mischief upon their own heads ere they are aware: Their calamity shall rise suddenly. Though they carry on their designs with the utmost secresy, they will be discovered, and brought to condign punishment, when they little think of it. Who knows the time and manner of the ruin which both God and the king will bring on their contemners, both on them and those that meddle with them?

Pro 24:23-26

Here are lessons for wise men, that is, judges and princes. As subjects must do their duty, and be obedient to magistrates, so magistrates must do their duty in administering justice to their subjects, both in pleas of the crown and causes between party and party. These are lessons for them.

  • 1. They must always weigh the merits of a cause, and not be swayed by any regard, one way or other, to the parties concerned: It is not good in itself, nor can it ever do well, to have respect of persons in judgment; the consequences of it cannot but be the perverting of justice and doing wrong under colour of law and equity. A good judge will know the truth, not know faces, so as to countenance a friend and help him out in a bad cause, or so much as omit any thing that can be said or done in favour of a righteous cause, when it is the cause of an enemy.
  • 2. They must never connive at or encourage wicked people in their wicked practices. Magistrates in their places, and ministers in theirs, are to deal faithfully and the wicked man, though he be a great man or a particular friend, to convict him of his wickedness, to show him what will be in the end thereof, to discover him to others, that they may avoid him. But if those whose office it is thus to show people their transgressions palliate them and connive at them, if they excuse the wicked man, much more if they prefer him and associate with him (which is, in effect, to say, Thou art righteous), they shall justly be looked upon as enemies to the public peace and welfare, which they ought to advance, and the people shall curse them and cry out shame on them; and even those of other nations shall abhor them, as base betrayers of their trust.
  • 3. They must discountenance and give check to all fraud, violence, injustice, and immorality; and, though thereby they may disoblige a particular person, yet they will recommend themselves to the favour of God and man. Let magistrates and ministers, and private persons too that are capable of doing it, rebuke the wicked, that they may bring them to repentance or put them to shame, and they shall have the comfort of it in their own bosoms: To them shall be delight, when their consciences witness for them that they have been witnesses for God; and a good blessing shall come upon them, the blessing of God and good men; they shall be deemed religion's patrons and their country's patriots. See ch. 28:23.
  • 4. They must always give judgment according to equity (v. 26); they must give a right answer, that is, give their opinion and pass sentence according to law and them true merits of the cause; and every one shall kiss his lips that does so, that is, shall love and honour him, and be subject to his orders, for there is a kiss of allegiance as well as of affection. He that in common conversation likewise speaks pertinently and with sincerity recommends himself to his company and is beloved and respected by all.

Pro 24:27

This is a rule of prudence in the management of household affairs; for all good men should be good husbands, and manage with discretion, which would prevent a great deal of sin, and trouble, and disgrace to their profession.

  • 1. We must prefer necessaries before conveniences, and not lay that out for show which should be expended for the support of the family. We must be contented with a mean cottage for a habitation, rather than want, or go in debt for, food convenient.
  • 2. We must not think of building till we can afford it: "First apply thyself to thy work without in the field; let thy ground be put into good order; look after thy husbandry, for it is that by which thou must get; and, when thou hast got well by that, then, and not till then, thou mayest think of rebuilding and beautifying thy house, for that is it upon which, and in which, thou wilt have occasion to spend.' Many have ruined their estates and families by laying out money on that which brings nothing in, beginning to build when they were not able to finish. Some understand it as advice to young men not to marry (for by that the house is built) till they have set up in the world, and not wherewith to maintain a wife and children comfortably.
  • 3. When we have any great design on foot it is wisdom to take it before us, and make the necessary preparations, before we fall to work, that, when it is begun, it may not stand still for want of materials. Solomon observed this rule himself in building the house of God; all was made ready before it was brought to the ground, 1 Ki. 6:7.

Pro 24:28-29

We are here forbidden to be in any thing injurious to our neighbour, particularly in and by the forms of law, either,

  • 1. As a witness: "Never bear a testimony against any man without cause, unless what thou sayest thou knowest to be punctually true and thou hast a clear call to testify it. Never bear a false testimony against any one;' for it follows, "Deceive not with thy lips; deceive not the judge and jury, deceive not those whom thou conversest with, into an ill opinion of thy neighbour. When thou speakest of thy neighbour do not only speak that which is true, but take heed lest, in the manner of thy speaking, thou insinuate any thing that is otherwise and so shouldst deceive by innuendos or hyperboles.' Or,
  • 2. As a plaintiff or prosecutor. If there be occasion to bring an action or information against thy neighbour, let it not be from a spirit of revenge. "Say not, I am resolved I will be even with him: I will do so to him as he had done to me.' Even a righteous cause becomes unrighteous when it is thus prosecuted with malice. Say not, I will render to the man according to his work, and make him pay dearly for it; for it is God's prerogative to do so, and we must leave it to him, and not step into his throne, or take his work out of his hands. If we will needs be our own carvers, and judges in our own cause, we forfeit the benefit of an appeal to God's tribunal; therefore we must not avenge ourselves, because he has said, Vengeance is mine.

Pro 24:30-34

Here is,

  • 1. The view which Solomon took of the field and vineyard of the slothful man. He did not go on purpose to see it, but, as he passed by, observing the fruitfulness of the ground, as it is very proper for travellers to do, and his subjects' management of their land, as it is very proper for magistrates to do, he cast his eye upon a field and a vineyard unlike all the rest; for, though the soil was good, yet there was nothing growing in them but thorns and nettles, not here and there one, but they were all overrun with weeds; and, if there had been any fruit, it would have been eaten up by the beasts, for there was no fence: The stone-wall was broken down See the effects of that curse upon the ground (Gen. 3:18), "Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth unto thee, and nothing else unless thou take pains with it.' See what a blessing to the world the husbandman's calling is, and what a wilderness this earth, even Canaan itself, would be without it. The king himself is served of the field, but he would be ill served if God did not teach the husbandman discretion and diligence to clear the ground, plant it, sow it, and fence it. See what a great difference there is between some and others in the management even of their worldly affairs, and how little some consult their reputation, not caring though they proclaim their slothfulness, in the manifest effects of it, to all that pass by, shamed by their neighbour's diligence.
  • 2. The reflections which he made upon it. He paused a little and considered it, looked again upon it, and received instruction. He did not break out into any passionate censures of the owner, did not call him any ill names, but he endeavoured himself to get good by the observation and to be quickened by it to diligence. Note, Those that are to give instruction to others must receive instruction themselves, and instruction may be received, not only from what we read and hear, but from what we see, not only from what we see of the works of God, but from what we see of the manners of man, not only from men's good manners, but from their evil manners. Plutarch relates a saying of Cato Major, "That wise men profit more by fools than fools by wise men; for wise men will avoid the faults of fools, but fools will not imitate the virtues of wise men.' Solomon reckoned that he received instruction by this sight, though it did not suggest to him any new notion or lesson, but only put him in mind of an observation he himself had formerly made, both of the ridiculous folly of the sluggard (who, when he has needful work to do, lies dozing in bed and cries, Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, and still it will be a little more, till he has slept his eyes out, and, instead of being fitted by sleep for business, as wise men are, he is dulled, and stupefied, and made good for nothing) and of certain misery that attends him: his poverty comes as one that travels; it is constantly coming nearer and nearer to him, and will be upon him speedily, and want seizes him as irresistibly as an armed man, a highwayman that will strip him of all he has. Now this is applicable, not only to our worldly business, to show what a scandalous thing slothfulness in that is, and how injurious to the family, but to the affairs of our souls. Note,
    • (1.) Our souls are our fields and vineyards, which we are every one of us to take care of, to dress, and to keep. They are capable of being improved with good husbandry; that may be got out of them which will be fruit abounding to our account. We are charged with them, to occupy them till our Lord come; and a great deal of care and pains it is requisite that we should take about them.
    • (2.) These fields and vineyards are often in a very bad state, not only no fruit brought forth, but all overgrown with thorns and nettles (scratching, stinging, inordinate lusts and passions, pride, covetousness, sensuality, malice, those are the thorns and nettles, the wild grapes, which the unsanctified heart produces), no guard kept against the enemy, but the stone-wall broken down, and all lies in common, all exposed.
    • (3.) Where it is thus it is owing to the sinner's own slothfulness and folly. He is a sluggard, loves sleep, hates labour; and he is void of understanding, understands neither his business nor his interest; he is perfectly besotted.
    • (4.) The issue of it will certainly be the ruin of the soul and all its welfare. It is everlasting want that thus comes upon it as an armed man. We know the place assigned to the wicked and slothful servant.