22 `Whoso' hath found a wife hath found good, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
A woman of worth who doth find? Yea, far above rubies `is' her price. The heart of her husband hath trusted in her, And spoil he lacketh not. She hath done him good, and not evil, All days of her life. She hath sought wool and flax, And with delight she worketh `with' her hands. She hath been as ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her bread. Yea, she riseth while yet night, And giveth food to her household, And a portion to her damsels. She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard. She hath girded with might her loins, And doth strengthen her arms. She hath perceived when her merchandise `is' good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night. Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff. Her hand she hath spread forth to the poor, Yea, her hands she sent forth to the needy. She is not afraid of her household from snow, For all her household are clothed `with' scarlet. Ornamental coverings she hath made for herself, Silk and purple `are' her clothing. Known in the gates is her husband, In his sitting with elders of the land. Linen garments she hath made, and selleth, And a girdle she hath given to the merchant. Strength and honour `are' her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day. Her mouth she hath opened in wisdom, And the law of kindness `is' on her tongue. She `is' watching the ways of her household, And bread of sloth she eateth not. Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her happy, Her husband, and he praiseth her, `Many `are' the daughters who have done worthily, Thou hast gone up above them all.' The grace `is' false, and the beauty `is' vain, A woman fearing Jehovah, she may boast herself. Give ye to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works do praise her in the gates!
Drink waters out of thine own cistern, Even flowing ones out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be scattered abroad, In broad places rivulets of waters. Let them be to thee for thyself, And not to strangers with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed, And rejoice because of the wife of thy youth, A hind of loves, and a roe of grace! Let her loves satisfy thee at all times, In her love magnify thyself continually. And why dost thou magnify thyself, My son, with a stranger? And embrace the bosom of a strange woman? For over-against the eyes of Jehovah are the ways of each, And all his paths He is pondering. His own iniquities do capture the wicked, And with the ropes of his sin he is holden. He dieth without instruction, And in the abundance of his folly magnifieth himself!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 18
Commentary on Proverbs 18 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 18
Pr 18:1-24.
1. Through desire … seeketh—that is, seeks selfish gratification.
intermeddleth … wisdom—or, "rushes on" (Pr 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Pr 2:7).
2. that his heart … itself—that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23; 15:2).
3. So surely are sin and punishment connected (Pr 16:4).
wicked, for "wickedness," answers to
ignominy, or the state of such; and
contempt, the feeling of others to them; and to
reproach, a manifestation of contempt.
4. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.
5. accept the person—(Compare Ps 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."
6, 7. The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Pr 6:2).
8. (Compare Pr 16:28).
as wounds—not sustained by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men gladly swallow.
innermost … belly—the mind, or heart (compare Pr 20:27-30; Ps 22:14).
9. One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor.
waster—literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.
10. name of the Lord—manifested perfections (Ps 8:1; 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely.
is safe—literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Ps 18:2; 91:4).
11. contrasts with Pr 18:10 (compare Pr 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Ps 73:6).
12. (Compare Pr 15:33; 16:18).
13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pr 26:12).
14. infirmity—bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.
15. (Compare Pr 1:5, 15, 31).
16. (Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.
17. One-sided statements are not reliable.
searcheth—thoroughly (Pr 17:9, 19).
18. The lot—whose disposal is of God (Pr 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.
19. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.
20. (Compare Pr 12:14; 13:2). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them.
satisfied with—(Compare Pr 1:31; 14:14).
21. Death and life—or, the greatest evil and good.
that love it—that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil.
eat … fruit—(Compare Pr 18:19; Jas 1:19).
22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pr 19:14 imply (compare Pr 31:10).
23. the rich … roughly—He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.
24. A man … friendly—better, "A man … (is) to, or, may triumph (Ps 108:9), or, shout for joy (Ps 5:11), that is, may congratulate himself." Indeed, there is a Friend who is better than a brother; such is the "Friend of sinners" [Mt 11:19; Lu 7:34], who may have been before the writer's mind.