12 Words of the mouth of the wise `are' gracious, And the lips of a fool swallow him up.
Apples of gold in imagery of silver, `Is' the word spoken at its fit times. A ring of gold, and an ornament of pure gold, `Is' the wise reprover to an attentive ear.
Incline thine ear, and hear words of the wise, And thy heart set to my knowledge, For they are pleasant when thou dost keep them in thy heart, They are prepared together for thy lips.
The lips of a fool enter into strife, And his mouth for stripes calleth. The mouth of a fool `is' ruin to him, And his lips `are' the snare of his soul. The words of a tale-bearer `are' as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down `to' the inner parts of the heart.
To the wise in heart is called, `Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning. A fountain of life `is' understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning, Sayings of pleasantness `are' a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and healing to the bone.
In transgression of the lips `is' the snare of the wicked, And the righteous goeth out from distress. From the fruit of the mouth `is' one satisfied `with' good, And the deed of man's hands returneth to him.
The tongue of the righteous `is' chosen silver, The heart of the wicked -- as a little thing. The lips of the righteous delight many, And fools for lack of heart die.
In the lips of the intelligent is wisdom found, And a rod `is' for the back of him who is lacking understanding. The wise lay up knowledge, and the mouth of a fool `is' near ruin.
My mouth recounteth Thy righteousness, All the day Thy salvation, For I have not known the numbers. I come in the might of the Lord Jehovah, I mention Thy righteousness -- Thine only. God, Thou hast taught me from my youth, And hitherto I declare Thy wonders. And also unto old age and grey hairs, O God, forsake me not, Till I declare Thy strength to a generation, To every one that cometh Thy might.
I have proclaimed tidings of righteousness In the great assembly, lo, my lips I restrain not, O Jehovah, Thou hast known. Thy righteousness I have not concealed In the midst of my heart, Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation I have told, I have not hidden Thy kindness and Thy truth, To the great assembly.
Lo, thou hast instructed many, And feeble hands thou makest strong. The stumbling one do thy words raise up, And bowing knees thou dost strengthen.
and it cometh to pass, thy servant is working hither and thither, and he is not!' and the king of Israel saith unto him, Right `is' thy judgment; thou hast determined `it'.' And he hasteth and turneth aside the ashes from off his eyes, and the king of Israel discerneth him, that he `is' of the prophets, and he saith unto him, `Thus said Jehovah, Because thou hast sent away the man I devoted, out of `thy' hand, even thy life hath been for his life, and thy people for his people;'
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 10 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 10
This chapter seems to be like Solomon's proverbs, a collection of wise sayings and observations, rather than a part of his sermon; but the preacher studied to be sententious, and "set in order many proverbs,' to be brought in in his preaching. Yet the general scope of all the observations in this chapter is to recommend wisdom to us, and its precepts and rules, as of great use for the right ordering of our conversation and to caution us against folly.
Happy the nation when princes and people make conscience of their duty according to these rules.
Ecc 10:1-3
In these verses Solomon shows,
Ecc 10:4-11
The scope of these verses is to keep subjects loyal and dutiful to the government. In Solomon's reign the people were very rich, and lived in prosperity, which perhaps made them proud and petulant, and when the taxes were high, though they had enough to pay them with, it is probable that many conducted themselves insolently towards the government and threatened to rebel. To such Solomon here gives some necessary cautions.
Ecc 10:12-15
Solomon, having shown the benefit of wisdom, and of what great advantage it is to us in the management of our affairs, here shows the mischief of folly and how it exposes men, which perhaps comes in as a reflection upon those rulers who set folly in great dignity.
Ecc 10:16-20
Solomon here observes,