13 Take fast hold H2388 of instruction; H4148 let her not go: H7503 keep H5341 her; for she is thy life. H2416
She is a tree H6086 of life H2416 to them that lay hold H2388 upon her: and happy H833 is every one that retaineth H8551 her.
So shall they be life H2416 unto thy soul, H5315 and grace H2580 to thy neck. H1621
Therefore G1223 G5124 we G2248 ought G1163 to give the more earnest G4056 heed G4337 to the things which we have heard, G191 lest at any time G3379 we should let them slip. G3901
For wisdom H2451 is a defence, H6738 and money H3701 is a defence: H6738 but the excellency H3504 of knowledge H1847 is, that wisdom H2451 giveth life H2421 to them that have H1167 it.
It was but a little H4592 that I passed H5674 from them, but I found H4672 him whom my soul H5315 loveth: H157 I held H270 him, and would not let him go, H7503 until I had brought H935 him into my mother's H517 house, H1004 and into the chamber H2315 of her that conceived H2029 me.
And G2532 beginning G756 at G575 Moses G3475 and G2532 G575 all G3956 the prophets, G4396 he expounded G1329 unto them G846 in G1722 all G3956 the scriptures G1124 the things concerning G4012 himself. G1438 And G2532 they drew nigh G1448 unto G1519 the village, G2968 whither G3757 they went: G4198 and G2532 he G846 made as though G4364 he would have gone G4198 further. G4208 But G2532 they constrained G3849 him, G846 saying, G3004 Abide G3306 with G3326 us: G2257 for G3754 it is G2076 toward G4314 evening, G2073 and G2532 the day G2250 is far spent. G2827 And G2532 he went in G1525 to tarry G3306 with G4862 them. G846
And G1161 many G4183 of the Samaritans G4541 of G1537 that G1565 city G4172 believed G4100 on G1519 him G846 for G1223 the saying G3056 of the woman, G1135 which testified, G3140 G3754 He told G2036 me G3427 all G3956 that ever G3745 I did. G4160 So G3767 when G5613 the Samaritans G4541 were come G2064 unto G4314 him, G846 they besought G2065 him G846 that he would tarry G3306 with G3844 them: G846 and G2532 he abode G3306 there G1563 two G1417 days. G2250 And G2532 many G4183 more G4119 believed G4100 because G1223 of his own G846 word; G3056 And G5037 said G3004 unto the woman, G1135 G3754 Now G3765 we believe, G4100 not G3754 because G1223 of thy G4674 saying: G2981 for G1063 we have heard G191 him ourselves, G846 and G2532 know G1492 that G3754 this G3778 is G2076 indeed G230 the Christ, G5547 the Saviour G4990 of the world. G2889
Who, G3739 when he came, G3854 and G2532 had seen G1492 the grace G5485 of God, G2316 was glad, G5463 and G2532 exhorted G3870 them all, G3956 that with purpose G4286 of heart G2588 they would cleave unto G4357 the Lord. G2962
Prove G1381 all things; G3956 hold fast G2722 that which G3588 is good. G2570
I know G1492 thy G4675 works, G2041 and G2532 where G4226 thou dwellest, G2730 even where G3699 Satan's G4567 seat G2362 is: and G2532 thou holdest fast G2902 my G3450 name, G3686 and G2532 hast G720 not G3756 denied G720 my G3450 faith, G4102 even G2532 in G1722 those days G2250 wherein G1722 G3739 Antipas G493 was my G3450 faithful G4103 martyr, G3144 who G3739 was slain G615 among G3844 you, G5213 where G3699 Satan G4567 dwelleth. G2730
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 4
Commentary on Proverbs 4 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 4
Pr 4:1-27. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness.
1, 2. (Compare Pr 1:8).
to know—in order to know.
doctrine—the matter of learning (Pr 1:5), such as he had received (La 3:1).
3. father's son—emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1Ch 22:7; 29:1); an idea further expressed by
only beloved—or, "as an only son" (Ge 22:2), though he had brothers (see on 1Ch 3:5).
4. He taught—or directed me.
retain—as well as receive.
keep … and live—observe, that you may live (Pr 7:2).
5. Get—as a possession not to be given up.
neither decline—that is, from obeying my word.
6. Not only accept but love wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.
7. (Compare Job 28:28).
getting—or possession; a desire for wisdom is wise.
8. As you highly esteem her, she will raise you to honor.
embrace her—with fond affection.
9. ornament—such as the chaplet or wreath of conquerors.
deliver—(Compare Ge 14:20). The allusion to a shield, contained in the Hebrew, suggests protection as well as honor (compare Pr 4:6).
10. (Compare Pr 2:1; 3:2).
11, 12. way of wisdom—which it prescribes.
led thee—literally, "caused thee to tread," as a path (Ps 107:7).
not be straitened—have ample room (Ps 18:36).
13. (Compare Pr 3:18). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.
14. (Compare Ps 1:1). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.
16, 17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted (Pr 6:4; Ps 36:5). They live by flagrant vices (Pr 1:13). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16; 34:7).
18, 19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.
20-22. (Compare Pr 4:10, 13; Pr 3:8, &c.).
22. health … flesh—by preserving from vices destructive of health.
23. with all diligence—or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare Eze 38:7), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character (Mt 12:35; 15:19).
24. a froward mouth—that is, a mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from that used (Pr 2:15; 3:32).
perverse—or, "quarreling."
lips—or, "words."
25. Let … before thee—that is, pursue a sincere and direct purpose, avoiding temptations.
26. Ponder—Consider well; a wise course results from wise forethought.
27. (Compare Pr 4:25). Avoid all by-paths of evil (De 2:27; 17:11). A life of integrity requires attention to heart, speech, eyes, and conduct.