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Proverbs 13:10 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

10 Only by pride H2087 cometh H5414 contention: H4683 but with the well advised H3289 is wisdom. H2451

Cross Reference

3 John 1:9-10 STRONG

I wrote G1125 unto the church: G1577 but G235 Diotrephes, G1361 who G3588 loveth to have the preeminence G5383 among them, G846 receiveth G1926 us G2248 not. G3756 Wherefore, G1223 G5124 if G1437 I come, G2064 I will remember G5279 his G846 deeds G2041 which G3739 he doeth, G4160 prating against G5396 us G2248 with G3056 malicious words: G4190 and G2532 not G3361 content G714 therewith, G1909 G5125 neither G3777 doth G1926 he himself G846 receive G1926 the brethren, G80 and G2532 forbiddeth G2967 them that would, G1014 and G2532 casteth G1544 them out of G1537 the church. G1577

James 4:5-6 STRONG

G2228 Do ye think G1380 that G3754 the scripture G1124 saith G3004 in vain, G2761 The spirit G4151 that G3739 dwelleth G2730 in G1722 us G2254 lusteth G1971 to G4314 envy? G5355 But G1161 he giveth G1325 more G3187 grace. G5485 Wherefore G1352 he saith, G3004 God G2316 resisteth G498 the proud, G5244 but G1161 giveth G1325 grace G5485 unto the humble. G5011

James 3:14-16 STRONG

But G1161 if G1487 ye have G2192 bitter G4089 envying G2205 and G2532 strife G2052 in G1722 your G5216 hearts, G2588 glory G2620 not, G3361 and G2532 lie not G5574 against G2596 the truth. G225 This G3778 wisdom G4678 descendeth G2076 G2718 not G3756 from above, G509 but G235 is earthly, G1919 sensual, G5591 devilish. G1141 For G1063 where G3699 envying G2205 and G2532 strife G2052 is, there G1563 is confusion G181 and G2532 every G3956 evil G5337 work. G4229

Acts 6:1-5 STRONG

And G1161 in G1722 those G5025 days, G2250 when the number G4129 of the disciples G3101 was multiplied, G4129 there arose G1096 a murmuring G1112 of the Grecians G1675 against G4314 the Hebrews, G1445 because G3754 their G846 widows G5503 were neglected G3865 in G1722 the daily G2522 ministration. G1248 Then G1161 the twelve G1427 called G4341 the multitude G4128 of the disciples G3101 unto them, and said, G2036 It is G2076 not G3756 reason G701 that we G2248 should leave G2641 the word G3056 of God, G2316 and serve G1247 tables. G5132 Wherefore, G3767 brethren, G80 look ye out G1980 among G1537 you G5216 seven G2033 men G435 of honest report, G3140 full G4134 of the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 and G2532 wisdom, G4678 whom G3739 we may appoint G2525 over G1909 this G5026 business. G5532 But G1161 we G2249 will give ourselves continually G4342 to prayer, G4335 and G2532 to the ministry G1248 of the word. G3056 And G2532 the saying G3056 pleased G700 G1799 the whole G3956 multitude: G4128 and G2532 they chose G1586 Stephen, G4736 a man G435 full G4134 of faith G4102 and G2532 of the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 and G2532 Philip, G5376 and G2532 Prochorus, G4402 and G2532 Nicanor, G3527 and G2532 Timon, G5096 and G2532 Parmenas, G3937 and G2532 Nicolas G3532 a proselyte G4339 of Antioch: G491

Luke 14:28-32 STRONG

For G1063 which G5101 of G1537 you, G5216 intending G2309 to build G3618 a tower, G4444 sitteth G2523 not G3780 down G2523 first, G4412 and counteth G5585 the cost, G1160 whether G1487 he have G2192 sufficient to G4314 finish G535 it? Lest G3363 haply, G3379 after he G846 hath laid G5087 the foundation, G2310 and G2532 is G2480 not G3361 able G2480 to finish G1615 it, all G3956 that behold G2334 it begin G756 to mock G1702 him, G846 Saying, G3004 This G3754 G3778 man G444 began G756 to build, G3618 and G2532 was G2480 not G3756 able G2480 to finish. G1615 Or G2228 what G5101 king, G935 going G4198 to make G4820 war G4171 against G1519 another G2087 king, G935 sitteth G2523 not G3780 down G2523 first, G4412 and consulteth G1011 whether G1487 he be G2076 able G1415 with G1722 ten G1176 thousand G5505 to meet G528 him that cometh G2064 against G1909 him G846 with G3326 twenty G1501 thousand? G5505 Or else, G1490 while the other G846 is G5607 yet G2089 a great way off, G4206 he sendeth G649 an ambassage, G4242 and desireth G2065 conditions G4314 of peace. G1515

Judges 8:1-3 STRONG

And the men H376 of Ephraim H669 said H559 unto him, Why hast thou H4100 served H6213 us thus, H1697 that thou calledst H7121 us not, when thou wentest H1980 to fight H3898 with the Midianites? H4080 And they did chide H7378 with him sharply. H2394 And he said H559 unto them, What have I done H6213 now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning H5955 of the grapes of Ephraim H669 better H2896 than the vintage H1210 of Abiezer? H44 God H430 hath delivered H5414 into your hands H3027 the princes H8269 of Midian, H4080 Oreb H6159 and Zeeb: H2062 and what was I able H3201 to do H6213 in comparison of you? Then their anger H7307 was abated H7503 toward him, when he had said H1697 that. H1696

Proverbs 12:15-16 STRONG

The way H1870 of a fool H191 is right H3477 in his own eyes: H5869 but he that hearkeneth H8085 unto counsel H6098 is wise. H2450 A fool's H191 wrath H3708 is presently H3117 known: H3045 but a prudent H6175 man covereth H3680 shame. H7036

1 Kings 12:10-11 STRONG

And the young men H3206 that were grown up H1431 with him spake H1696 unto him, saying, H559 Thus shalt thou speak H559 unto this people H5971 that spake H1696 unto thee, saying, H559 Thy father H1 made H3513 our yoke H5923 heavy, H3513 but make thou it lighter H7043 unto us; thus shalt thou say H1696 unto them, My little H6995 finger shall be thicker H5666 than my father's H1 loins. H4975 And now whereas my father H1 did lade H6006 you with a heavy H3515 yoke, H5923 I will add H3254 to your yoke: H5923 my father H1 hath chastised H3256 you with whips, H7752 but I will chastise H3256 you with scorpions. H6137

Judges 12:1-6 STRONG

And the men H376 of Ephraim H669 gathered themselves together, H6817 and went H5674 northward, H6828 and said H559 unto Jephthah, H3316 Wherefore passedst thou over H5674 to fight H3898 against the children H1121 of Ammon, H5983 and didst not call H7121 us to go H3212 with thee? we will burn H8313 thine house H1004 upon thee with fire. H784 And Jephthah H3316 said H559 unto them, I and my people H5971 were H1961 at great H3966 strife H376 H7379 with the children H1121 of Ammon; H5983 and when I called H2199 you, ye delivered H3467 me not out of their hands. H3027 And when I saw H7200 that ye delivered H3467 me not, I put H7760 my life H5315 in my hands, H3709 and passed over H5674 against the children H1121 of Ammon, H5983 and the LORD H3068 delivered H5414 them into my hand: H3027 wherefore then are ye come up H5927 unto me this day, H3117 to fight H3898 against me? Then Jephthah H3316 gathered together H6908 all the men H582 of Gilead, H1568 and fought H3898 with Ephraim: H669 and the men H582 of Gilead H1568 smote H5221 Ephraim, H669 because they said, H559 Ye Gileadites H1568 are fugitives H6412 of Ephraim H669 among H8432 the Ephraimites, H669 and among H8432 the Manassites. H4519 And the Gileadites H1568 took H3920 the passages H4569 of Jordan H3383 before the Ephraimites: H669 and it was so, that when those Ephraimites H669 which were escaped H6412 said, H559 Let me go over; H5674 that the men H582 of Gilead H1568 said H559 unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? H673 If he said, H559 Nay; Then said H559 they unto him, Say H559 now Shibboleth: H7641 and he said H559 Sibboleth: H5451 for he could not frame H3559 to pronounce H1696 it right. H3559 Then they took H270 him, and slew H7819 him at the passages H4569 of Jordan: H3383 and there fell H5307 at that time H6256 of the Ephraimites H669 forty H705 and two H8147 thousand. H505

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 13

Commentary on Proverbs 13 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 13

Pro 13:1

Among the children of the same parents it is no new thing for some to be hopeful and others the contrary; now here we are taught to distinguish.

  • 1. There is great hope of those that have a reverence for their parents, and are willing to be advised and admonished by them. He is a wise son, and is in a far way to be wiser, that hears his father's instruction, desires to hear it, regards it, and complies with it, and does not merely give it the hearing.
  • 2. There is little hope of those that will not so much as hear rebuke with any patience, but scorn to submit to government and scoff at those that deal faithfully with them. How can those mend a fault who will not be told of it, but count those their enemies who do them that kindness?

Pro 13:2

Note,

  • 1. If that which comes from within, out of the heart, be good, and from a good treasure, it will return with advantage. Inward comfort and satisfaction will be daily bread; nay, it will be a continual feast to those who delight in that communication which is to the use of edifying.
  • 2. Violence done will recoil in the face of him that does it: The soul of the transgressors that harbours and plots mischief, and vents it by word and deed, shall eat violence; they shall have their belly full of it. Reward her as she has rewarded thee, Rev. 18:6. Every man shall drink as he brews, eat as he speaks; for by our words we must be justified or condemned, Mt. 12:37. As our fruit is, so will our food be, Rom. 6:21, 22.

Pro 13:3

Note,

  • 1. A guard upon the lips is a guard to the soul. He that is cautious, that thinks twice before he speaks once, that, if he have thought evil, lays his hand upon his mouth to suppress it, that keeps a strong bridle on his tongue and a strict hand on that bridle, he keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief and saves himself the trouble of many bitter reflections on himself and reflections of others upon him.
  • 2. There is many a one ruined by an ungoverned tongue: He that opens widely his lips, to let our quod in buccam venerit-whatever comes uppermost, that loves to bawl, and bluster, and make a noise, and affects such a liberty of speech as bids defiance both to God and man, he shall have destruction. it will be the destruction of his reputation, his interest, his comfort, and his soul for ever, Jam. 3:6.

Pro 13:4

Here is,

  • 1. The misery and shame of the slothful. See how foolish and absurd they are; they desire the gains which the diligent get, but they hate the pains which the diligent take; they covet every thing that is to be coveted, but will do nothing that is to be done; and therefore it follows, They have nothing; for he that will not labour let him hunger, and let him not eat, 2 Th. 3:10. The desire of the slothful, which should be his excitement, is his torment, which should make him busy, makes him always uneasy, and is really a greater toil to him than labour would be.
  • 2. The happiness and honour of the diligent: Their soul shall be made fat; they shall have abundance, and shall have the comfortable enjoyment of it, and the more for its being the fruit of their diligence. This is especially true in spiritual affairs. Those that rest in idle wishes know not what the advantages of religion are; whereas those that take pains in the service of God find both the pleasure and profit of it.

Pro 13:5

Note,

  • 1. Where grace reigns sin is loathsome. It is the undoubted character of every righteous man that he hates lying (that is, all sin, for every sin is a lie, and particularly all fraud and falsehood in commerce and conversation), not only that he will not tell a lie, but he abhors lying, from a rooted reigning principle of love to truth and justice, and conformity to God.
  • 2. Where sin reigns the man is loathsome. If his eyes were opened, and his conscience awakened, he would be so to himself, he would abhor himself and repent in dust and ashes; however, he is so to God and all good men; particularly, he makes himself so by lying, than which there is nothing more detestable. And, though he may think to face it out awhile, yet he will come to shame and contempt at last and will blush to show his face, Dan. 12:2.

Pro 13:6

See here,

  • 1. Saints secured from ruin. Those that are upright in their way, that mean honestly in all their actions, adhere conscientiously to the sacred and eternal rules of equity, and deal sincerely both with God and man, their integrity will keep them from the temptations of Satan, which shall not prevail over them, the reproaches and injuries of evil men, which shall not fasten upon them, to do them any real mischief, Ps. 25:21.
    • Hic murus aheneus esto, nil conscire sibi.
    • Be this thy brazen bulwark of defence,
    • Still to preserve thy conscious innocence.
  • 2. Sinners secured for ruin. Those that are wicked, even their wickedness will be their overthrow at last, and they are held in the cords of it in the mean time. Are they corrected, destroyed? It is their own wickedness that corrects them, that destroys them; they alone shall bear it.

Pro 13:7

This observation is applicable,

  • I. To men's worldly estate. The world is a great cheat, not only the things of the world, but the men of the world. All men are liars. Here is an instance in two sore evils under the sun:-
    • 1. Some that are really poor would be thought to be rich and are thought to be so; they trade and spend as if they were rich, make a great bustle and a great show as if they had hidden treasures, when perhaps, if all their debts were paid, they are not worth a groat. This is sin, and will be shame; many a one hereby ruins his family and brings reproach upon his profession of religion. Those that thus live above what they have choose to be subject to their own pride rather than to God's providence, and it will end accordingly.
    • 2. Some that are really rich would be thought to be poor, and are thought to be so, because they sordidly and meanly live below what God has given them, and choose rather to bury it than to use it, Eccl. 6:1, 2. In this there is an ingratitude to God, injustice to the family and neighbourhood, and uncharitableness to the poor.
  • II. To their spiritual state. Grace is the riches of the soul; it is true riches; but men commonly misrepresent themselves, either designedly or through mistake and ignorance of themselves.
    • 1. There are many presuming hypocrites, that are really poor and empty of grace and yet either think themselves rich, and will not be convinced of their poverty, or pretend themselves rich, and will not own their poverty.
    • 2. There are many timorous trembling Christians, that are spiritually rich, and full of grace, and yet think themselves poor, and will not be persuaded that they are rich, or, at least, will not own it; by their doubts and fears, their complaints and griefs, they make themselves poor. The former mistake is destroying at last; this is disquieting in the mean time.

Pro 13:8

We are apt to judge of men's blessedness, at least in this world, by their wealth, and that they are more or less happy accordingly as they have more or less of this world's goods; but Solomon here shows what a gross mistake it is, that we may be reconciled to a poor condition, and may neither covet riches ourselves nor envy those that have abundance.

  • 1. Those that are rich, if by some they are respected for their riches, yet, to balance that, by others they are envied and struck at, and brought in danger of their lives, which therefore they are forced to ransom with their riches. Slay us not, for we have treasures in the field, Jer. 41:8. Under some tyrants, it has been crime enough to be rich; and how little is a man beholden to his wealth when it only serves to redeem that life which otherwise would not have been exposed!
  • 2. Those that are poor, if by some, that should be their friends, they are despised and overlooked, yet, to balance that, they are also despised and overlooked by others that would be their enemies if they had any thing to lose: The poor hear not rebuke, are not censured, reproached, accused, nor brought into trouble, as the rich are; for nobody thinks it worth while to take notice of them. When the rich Jews were carried captives to Babylon the poor of the land were left, 2 Ki. 25:12. Welcome nothing, once in seven years. Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator-When a traveller is met by a robber he will rejoice at not having much property about him.

Pro 13:9

Here is,

  • 1. The comfort of good men flourishing and lasting: The light of the righteous rejoices, that is, it increases, and makes them glad. Even their outward prosperity is their joy, and much more those gifts, graces, and comforts, with which their souls are illuminated; these shine more and more, ch. 4:18. The Spirit is their light, and he gives them a fulness of joy, and rejoices to do them good.
  • 2. The comfort of bad men withering and dying: The lamp of the wicked burns dimly and faint; it looks melancholy, like a taper in an urn, and it will shortly be put out in utter darkness, Isa. 50:11. The light of the righteous is as that of the sun, which may be eclipsed and clouded, but will continue; that of the wicked is as a lamp of their own kindling, which will presently go out and is easily put out.

Pro 13:10

Note,

  • 1. Foolish pride is the great make-bate. Would you know whence come wars and fightings? They come from this root of bitterness. Whatever hand other lusts may have in contention (passion, envy, covetousness), pride has the great hand; it is its pride that it will itself sow discord and needs no help. Pride makes men impatient of contradiction in either their opinions or their desires, impatient of competition and rivalship, impatient of contempt, or any thing that looks like a slight, and impatient of concession, and receding, from a conceit of certain right and truth on their side; and hence arise quarrels among relations and neighbours, quarrels in states and kingdoms, in churches and Christian societies. Men will be revenged, will not forgive, because they are proud.
  • 2. Those that are humble and peaceable are wise and well advised. Those that will ask and take advice, that will consult their own consciences, their Bibles, their ministers, their friends, and will do nothing rashly, are wise, as in other things, so in this, that they will humble themselves, will stoop and yield, to preserve quietness and prevent quarrels.

Pro 13:11

This shows that riches wear as they are won and woven.

  • 1. That which is won ill will never wear well, for a curse attends it which will waste it, and the same corrupt dispositions which incline men to the sinful ways of getting well incline them to the like sinful ways of spending: Wealth gotten by vanity will be bestowed upon vanity, and then it will be diminished. That which is got by such employments as are not lawful, or not becoming Christians, such as only serve to feed pride and luxury, that which is got by gaming or by the stage, may as truly be said to be gotten by vanity as that which is got by fraud and lying, and will be diminished. De male quaesitis vix gaudet tertius haeres-Ill-gotten wealth will scarcely be enjoyed by the third generation.
  • 2. That which is got by industry and honesty will grow more, instead of growing less; it will be a maintenance; it will be an inheritance; it will be an abundance. He that labours, working with his hands, shall so increase as that he shall have to give to him that needs (Eph. 4:28); and, when it comes to that, it will increase yet more and more.

Pro 13:12

Note,

  • 1. Nothing is more grievous than the disappointment of a raised expectation, though not in the thing itself by a denial, yet in the time of it by a delay: Hope deferred makes the heart sick and languishing, fretful and peevish; but hope quite dashed kills the heart, and the more high the expectation was raised the more cutting is the frustration of it. It is therefore our wisdom not to promise ourselves any great matters from the creature, not to feed ourselves with any vain hopes from this world, lest we lay up matter for our own vexation; and what we do hope for let us prepare to be disappointed in, that, if it should prove so, it may prove the easier; and let us not be hasty.
  • 2. Nothing is more grateful than to enjoy that, at last, which we have long wished and waited for: When the desire does come it puts men into a sort of paradise, a garden of pleasure, for it is a tree of life. It will aggravate the eternal misery of the wicked that their hopes will be frustrated; and it will make the happiness of heaven the more welcome to the saints that it is what they have earnestly longed for as the crown of their hopes.

Pro 13:13

Here is,

  • 1. The character of one that is marked for ruin: He that despises the word of God, and has no regard to it, no veneration for it, nor will be ruled by it, certainly he shall be destroyed, for he slights that which is the only means of curing a destructive disease and makes himself obnoxious to that divine wrath which will certainly be his destruction. Those that prefer the rules of carnal policy before divine precepts, and the allurements of the world and the flesh before God's promises and comforts, despise his word, giving the preference to those things that stand in competition with it; and it is to their own just destruction: they would not take warning.
  • 2. The character of one that is sure to be happy: He that fears the commandment, that stands in awe of God, pays a deference to his authority, has a reverence for his word, is afraid of displeasing God and incurring the penalties annexed to the commandment, shall not only escape destruction, but shall be rewarded for his godly fear. In keeping the commandment there is great reward.

Pro 13:14

By the law of the wise and righteous, here, we may understand either the principles and rules by which they govern themselves or (which comes all to one) the instructions which they give to others, which ought to be as a law to all about them; and if they be so,

  • 1. They will be constant springs of comfort and satisfaction, as a fountain of life, sending forth streams of living water; the closer we keep to those rules the more effectually we secure our own peace.
  • 2. They will be constant preservatives from the temptations of Satan. Those that follow the dictates of this law will keep at a distance from the snares of sin, and so escape the snares of death which those run into that forsake the law of the wise.

Pro 13:15

If we compare not only the end, but the way, we shall find that religion has the advantage; for,

  • 1. The way of saints is pleasant and agreeable: Good understanding gains favour with God and man; our Saviour grew in that favour when he increased in wisdom. Those that conduct themselves prudently, and order their conversation aright in every thing, that serve Christ in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, are accepted of God and approved of men, Rom. 14:17, 18. And how comfortably will that man pass through the world who is well understood and is therefore well accepted!
  • 2. The way of sinners is rough and uneasy, and, for this reason, unpleasant to themselves, because unacceptable to others. It is hard, hard upon others, who complain of it, hard to the sinner himself, who can have little enjoyment of himself while he is doing that which is disobliging to all mankind. The service of sin is perfect slavery, and the road to hell is strewed with the thorns and thistles that are the products of the curse. Sinners labour in the very fire.

Pro 13:16

Note,

  • 1. It is wisdom to be cautious. Every prudent discreet man does all with knowledge (considering with himself and consulting with others), acts with deliberation and is upon the reserve, is careful not to meddle with that which he has not some knowledge of, not to launch out into business which he has not acquainted himself with, will not deal with those that he has not some knowledge of, whether they may be confided in. He is still dealing in knowledge, that he may increase the stock he has.
  • 2. It is folly to be rash, as the fool is, who is forward to talk of things he knows nothing of and undertake that which he is no way fit for, and so lays open his folly and makes himself ridiculous. He began to build and was not able to finish.

Pro 13:17

Here we have,

  • 1. The ill consequences of betraying a trust. A wicked messenger, who, being sent to negotiate any business, is false to him that employed him, divulges his counsels, and so defeats his designs, cannot expect to prosper, but will certainly fall into some mischief or other, will be discovered and punished, since nothing is more hateful to God and man than the treachery of those that have a confidence reposed in them.
  • 2. The happy effects of fidelity: An ambassador who faithfully discharges his trust, and serves the interests of those who employ him, is health; he is health to those by whom and for whom he is employed, heals differences that are between them, and preserves a good understanding; he is health to himself, for he secures his own interest. This is applicable to ministers, Christ's messengers and ambassadors; those that are wicked and false to Christ and the souls of men do mischief and fall into mischief, but those that are faithful will find sound words to be healing words to others and themselves.

Pro 13:18

Note,

  • 1. He that is so proud that he scorns to be taught will certainly be abased. he that refuses the good instruction offered him, as if it were a reflection upon his honour and an abridgment of his liberty, poverty and shame shall be to him: he will become a beggar and live and die in disgrace; every one will despise him as foolish, and stubborn, and ungovernable.
  • 2. He that is so humble that he takes it well to be told of his faults shall certainly be exalted: He that regards a reproof, whoever gives it to him, and will mend what is amiss when it is shown him, gains respect as wise and candid; he avoids that which would be a disgrace to him and is in a fair way to make himself considerable.

Pro 13:19

This shows the folly of those that refuse instruction, for they might be happy and will not.

  • 1. They might be happy. There are in man strong desires of happiness; God has provided for the accomplishment of those desires, and that would be sweet to the soul, whereas the pleasures of sense are grateful only to the carnal appetite. The desire of good men towards the favour of God and spiritual blessings brings that which is sweet to their souls; we know those that can say so by experience, Ps. 4:6, 7.
  • 2. Yet they will not be happy; for it is an abomination to them to depart from evil, which is necessary to their being happy. Never let those expect any thing truly sweet to their souls that will not be persuaded to leave their sins, but that roll them under their tongues as a sweet morsel.

Pro 13:20

Note,

  • 1. Those that would be good must keep good company, which is an evidence for them that they would be good (men's character is known by the company they choose) and will be a means of making them good, of showing them the way and of quickening and encouraging them in it. He that would be himself wise must walk with those that are so, must choose such for his intimate acquaintance, and converse with them accordingly; must ask and receive instruction from them, and keep up pious and profitable talk with them. Miss not the discourse of the elders, for they also learned of their fathers, Ecclesiasticus 8:9. And (Ecclesiasticus 6:35), Be willing to hear every godly discourse, and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.
  • 2. Multitudes are brought to ruin by bad company: A companion of fools shall be broken (so some), shall be known (so the Septuagint), known to be a fool; noscitur ex socio-he is known by his company. He will be like them (so some), will be made wicked (so others); it comes all to one, for all those, and those only, that make themselves wicked, will be destroyed, and those that associate with evil-doers are debauched, and so undone, and at last ascribe their death to it.

Pro 13:21

Here see,

  • 1. How unavoidable the destruction of sinners is; the wrath of God pursues them, and all the terrors of that wrath: Evil pursues them closely wherever they go, as the avenger of blood pursued the manslayer, and they have no city of refuge to flee to; they attempt an escape, but in vain. Whom God pursues he is sure to overtake. They may prosper for a while and grow very secure, but their damnation slumbers not, though they do.
  • 2. How indefeasible the happiness of the saints is; the God that cannot lie has engaged that to the righteous good shall be repaid. They shall be abundantly recompensed for all the good they have done, and all the ill they have suffered, in this world; so that, though many have been losers for their righteousness, they shall not be losers by it. Though the recompence do not come quickly, it will come in the day of payment, in the world of retribution; and it will be an abundant recompence.

Pro 13:22

See here,

  • 1. How a good man's estate lasts: He leaves an inheritance to his children's children. It is part of his praise that he is thoughtful for posterity, that he does not lay all out upon himself, but is in care to do well for those that come after him, not by withholding more than is meet, but by a prudent and decent frugality. He trains up his children to this, that they may leave it to their children; and especially he is careful, both by justice and charity, to obtain the blessing of God upon what he has, and to entail that blessing upon his children, without which the greatest industry and frugality will be in vain: A good man, by being good and doing good, by honouring the Lord with his substance and spending it in his service, secures it to his posterity; or, if he should not leave them much of this world's goods, his prayers, his instructions, his good example, will be the best entail, and the promises of the covenant will be an inheritance to his children's children, Ps. 103:17.
  • 2. How it increases by the accession of the wealth of the sinner to it, for that is laid up for the just. If it be asked, How should good men grow so rich, who are not so eager upon the world as others are and who commonly suffer for their well-doing? It is here answered, God, in his providence, often brings into their hands that which wicked people had laid up for themselves. The innocent shall divide the silver, Job 27:16, 17. The Israelites shall spoil the Egyptians (Ex. 12:36) and eat the riches of the Gentiles, Isa. 61:6.

Pro 13:23

See here,

  • 1. How a small estate may be improved by industry, so that a man, by making the best of every thing, may live comfortably upon it: Much food is in the tillage of the poor, the poor farmers, that have but a little, but take pains with that little and husband it well. Many make it an excuse for their idleness that they have but a little to work on, a very little to be doing with; but the less compass the field is of the more let the skill and labour of the owner be employed about it, and it will turn to a very good account. Let him dig, and he needs not beg.
  • 2. How a great estate may be ruined by indiscretion: There is that has a great deal, but it is destroyed and brought to nothing for want of judgment, that is, prudence in the management of it. Men over-build themselves or over-buy themselves, keep greater company, or a better table, or more servants, than they can afford, suffer what they have to go to decay and do not make the most of it; by taking up money themselves, or being bound for others, their estates are sunk, their families reduced, and all for want of judgment.

Pro 13:24

Note,

  • 1. To the education of children in that which is good there is necessary a due correction of them for what is amiss; every child of ours is a child of Adam, and therefore has that foolishness bound up in its heart which calls for rebuke, more or less, the rod and reproof which give wisdom. Observe, It is his rod that must be used, the rod of a parent, directed by wisdom and love, and designed for good, not the rod of a servant.
  • 2. It is good to begin betimes with the necessary restraints of children from that which is evil, before vicious habits are confirmed. The branch is easily bent when it is tender.
  • 3. Those really hate their children, though they pretend to be fond of them, that do not keep them under a strict discipline, and by all proper methods, severe ones when gentle ones will not serve, make them sensible of their faults and afraid of offending. They abandon them to their worst enemy, to the most dangerous disease, and therefore hate them. Let this reconcile children to the correction their good parents give them; it is from love, and for their good, Heb. 12:7-9.

Pro 13:25

Note,

  • 1. It is the happiness of the righteous that they shall have enough and that they know when they have enough. They desire not to be surfeited, but, being moderate in their desires, they are soon satisfied. nature is content with a little and grace with less; enough is as good as a feast. Those that feed on the bread of life, that feast on the promises, meet with abundant satisfaction of soul there, eat, and are filled.
  • 2. It is the misery of the wicked that, through the insatiableness of their own desires, they are always needy; not only their souls shall not be satisfied with the world and the flesh, but even their belly shall want; their sensual appetite is always craving. In hell they shall be denied a drop of water.