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.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 24
Commentary on Proverbs 24 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 24
Pr 24:1-34.
1, 2. (Compare Pr 23:3, 17; Ps 37:1).
2. studieth—meditateth.
talk … mischief—Their expressed purposes are to do evil.
3, 4. (Compare Pr 14:1; Isa 54:14).
house—including the family.
4. by knowledge … riches—(Pr 8:18; 21:20).
5, 6. The general statement (Ec 9:16, 18) is specially illustrated (compare Pr 21:22; Ps 144:1).
7. (Compare Pr 14:16).
in the gate—(Compare Pr 22:22).
8. So called even if he fails to do evil.
9. Same thought varied.
10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.
11, 12. Neglect of known duty is sin (Jas 4:17).
ready—literally, "bowing down"
to be slain—that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.
13, 14. As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.
14. reward—literally, "after part," the proper result (compare Pr 23:18; Ps 37:37, 38).
15, 16. The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Ps 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.
16. seven times—often, or many (Pr 6:16, 31; 9:1).
17, 18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Pr 17:5; Job 31:29).
19, 20. (Ps 37:1, 38; 18:28).
20. candle—or, "prosperity"; it shall come to an end (Pr 13:9; 20:20).
21, 22. A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Ro 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:17).
meddle … change—(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons.
22. their calamity, &c.—either what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their company suffer; better the first.
23. These … wise—literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, Pr 24:24-34.
to have respect—literally, "to discern faces," show partiality,
24, 25. of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.
26. kiss his lips—love and obey, do homage (Ps 2:12; So 8:1).
right answer—literally, "plain words" (compare Pr 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.
27. Prepare … in the field—Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.
28. Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.
29. Especially avoid retaliation (Mt 5:43-45; Ro 12:17).
30, 31. A striking picture of the effects of sloth.
32-34. From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Pr 6:10, 11).