7 Wisdom `is' high for a fool, In the gate he openeth not his mouth.
A scorner hath sought wisdom, and it is not, And knowledge to the intelligent `is' easy.
Pain do his ways at all times, On high `are' Thy judgments before him, All his adversaries -- he puffeth at them.
Far are his sons from safety, And they are bruised in the gate, And there is no deliverer.
When I go out to the gate by the city, In a broad place I prepare my seat. Seen me have youths, and they, been hidden, And the aged have risen -- they stood up. Princes have kept in words, And a hand they place on their mouth. The voice of leaders hath been hidden, And their tongue to the palate hath cleaved. For the ear heard, and declareth me happy, And the eye hath seen, and testifieth `to' me. For I deliver the afflicted who is crying, And the fatherless who hath no helper. The blessing of the perishing cometh on me, And the heart of the widow I cause to sing. Righteousness I have put on, and it clotheth me, As a robe and a diadem my justice. Eyes I have been to the blind, And feet to the lame `am' I. A father I `am' to the needy, And the cause I have not known I search out. And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, And from his teeth I cast away prey. And I say, `With my nest I expire, And as the sand I multiply days.' My root is open unto the waters, And dew doth lodge on my branch. My honour `is' fresh with me, And my bow in my hand is renewed. To me they have hearkened, Yea, they wait, and are silent for my counsel. After my word they change not, And on them doth my speech drop, And they wait as `for' rain for me, And their mouth they have opened wide `As' for the latter rain. I laugh unto them -- they give no credence, And the light of my face cause not to fall. I choose their way, and sit head, And I dwell as a king in a troop, When mourners he doth comfort.
How great have been Thy works, O Jehovah, Very deep have been Thy thoughts. A brutish man doth not know, And a fool understandeth not this; --
A path of life `is' on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.
Rob not the poor because he `is' poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate.
Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the right of all sons of change. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!'
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).