Advanced Commentary

Texts -- Proverbs 10:1--22:16 (NET)

Context
The First Collection of Solomonic Proverbs
10:1 The Proverbs of Solomon : A wise child makes a father rejoice , but a foolish child is a grief to his mother . 10:2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit , but righteousness delivers from mortal danger . 10:3 The Lord satisfies the appetite of the righteous , but he thwarts the craving of the wicked . 10:4 The one who is lazy becomes poor , but the one who works diligently becomes wealthy . 10:5 The one who gathers crops in the summer is a wise son , but the one who sleeps during the harvest is a son who brings shame to himself. 10:6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous , but the speech of the wicked conceals violence . 10:7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing , but the reputation of the wicked will rot . 10:8 The wise person accepts instructions , but the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin . 10:9 The one who conducts himself in integrity will live securely , but the one who behaves perversely will be found out . 10:10 The one who winks his eye causes trouble , and the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin . 10:11 The teaching of the righteous is a fountain of life , but the speech of the wicked conceals violence . 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension , but love covers all transgressions . 10:13 Wisdom is found in the words of the discerning person, but the one who lacks wisdom will be disciplined . 10:14 Those who are wise store up knowledge , but foolish speech leads to imminent destruction . 10:15 The wealth of a rich person is like a fortified city , but the poor are brought to ruin by their poverty . 10:16 The reward which the righteous receive is life ; the recompense which the wicked receive is judgment . 10:17 The one who heeds instruction is on the way to life , but the one who rejects rebuke goes astray . 10:18 The one who conceals hatred utters lies , and the one who spreads slander is certainly a fool . 10:19 When words abound , transgression is inevitable , but the one who restrains his words is wise . 10:20 What the righteous say is like the best silver , but what the wicked think is of little value. 10:21 The teaching of the righteous feeds many , but fools die for lack of wisdom . 10:22 The blessing from the Lord makes a person rich , and he adds no sorrow to it. 10:23 Carrying out a wicked scheme is enjoyable to a fool , and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment . 10:24 What the wicked fears will come on him ; what the righteous desire will be granted . 10:25 When the storm passes through , the wicked are swept away , but the righteous are an everlasting foundation . 10:26 Like vinegar to the teeth and like smoke to the eyes , so is the sluggard to those who send him. 10:27 Fearing the Lord prolongs life, but the life span of the wicked will be shortened . 10:28 The hope of the righteous is joy , but the expectation of the wicked will remain unfulfilled . 10:29 The way of the Lord is like a stronghold for the upright , but it is destruction to evildoers . 10:30 The righteous will never be moved , but the wicked will not inhabit the land . 10:31 The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom , but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed . 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is pleasing , but the speech of the wicked is perverse . 11:1 The Lord abhors dishonest scales , but an accurate weight is his elight . 11:2 When pride comes , then comes disgrace , but with humility comes wisdom . 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroys them. 11:4 Wealth does not profit in the day of wrath , but righteousness delivers from mortal danger . 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will make straight their way , but the wicked person will fall by his own wickedness . 11:6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the faithless will be captured by their own desires . 11:7 When a wicked person dies , his expectation perishes , and the hope of his strength perishes . 11:8 The righteous person is delivered out of trouble , and the wicked turns up in his stead . 11:9 With his speech the godless person destroys his neighbor , but by knowledge the righteous will be delivered . 11:10 When the righteous do well , the city rejoices ; when the wicked perish , there is joy . 11:11 A city is exalted by the blessing provided from the upright , but it is destroyed by the counsel of the wicked . 11:12 The one who denounces his neighbor lacks wisdom , but the one who has discernment keeps silent . 11:13 The one who goes about slandering others reveals secrets , but the one who is trustworthy conceals a matter . 11:14 When there is no guidance a nation falls , but there is success in the abundance of counselors . 11:15 The one who puts up security for a stranger will surely have trouble , but whoever avoids shaking hands will be secure . 11:16 A generous woman gains honor , and ruthless men seize wealth . 11:17 A kind person benefits himself , but a cruel person brings himself trouble . 11:18 The wicked person earns deceitful wages , but the one who sows righteousness reaps a genuine reward . 11:19 True righteousness leads to life , but the one who pursues evil pursues it to his own death . 11:20 The Lord abhors those who are perverse in heart , but those who are blameless in their ways are his delight . 11:21 Be assured that the evil person will certainly be punished , but the descendants of the righteous will not suffer unjust judgment . 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who rejects discretion . 11:23 What the righteous desire leads only to good , but what the wicked hope for leads to wrath . 11:24 One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy , but another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty . 11:25 A generous person will be enriched , and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied . 11:26 People will curse the one who withholds grain , but they will praise the one who sells it. 11:27 The one who diligently seeks good seeks favor , but the one who searches for evil – it will come to him. 11:28 The one who trusts in his riches will fall , but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf . 11:29 The one who troubles his family will inherit nothing , and the fool will be a servant to the wise person . 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is like a tree producing life , and the one who wins souls is wise . 11:31 If the righteous are recompensed on earth , how much more the wicked sinner ! 12:1 The one who loves discipline loves knowledge , but the one who hates reproof is stupid . 12:2 A good person obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord condemns a person with wicked schemes . 12:3 No one can be established through wickedness , but a righteous root cannot be moved . 12:4 A noble wife is the crown of her husband , but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones . 12:5 The plans of the righteous are just ; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful . 12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait to shed innocent blood , but the words of the upright will deliver them. 12:7 The wicked are overthrown and perish , but the righteous household will stand . 12:8 A person is praised in accordance with his wisdom , but the one who has a twisted mind is despised . 12:9 Better is a person of humble standing who nevertheless has a servant , than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food . 12:10 A righteous person cares for the life of his animal , but even the most compassionate acts of the wicked are cruel . 12:11 The one who works his field will have plenty of food , but whoever chases daydreams lacks wisdom . 12:12 The wicked person desires a stronghold , but the righteous root endures . 12:13 The evil person is ensnared by the transgression of his speech , but the righteous person escapes out of trouble . 12:14 A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words , and the work of his hands will be rendered to him. 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own opinion , but the one who listens to advice is wise . 12:16 A fool’s annoyance is known at once , but the prudent overlooks an insult . 12:17 The faithful witness tells what is right , but a false witness speaks deceit . 12:18 Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword , but the words of the wise bring healing . 12:19 The one who tells the truth will endure forever , but the one who lies will last only for a moment . 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil , but those who promote peace have joy . 12:21 The righteous do not encounter any harm , but the wicked are filled with calamity . 12:22 The Lord abhors a person who lies , but those who deal truthfully are his delight . 12:23 The shrewd person conceals knowledge , but foolish people publicize folly . 12:24 The diligent person will rule , but the slothful will become a slave . 12:25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down , but an encouraging word brings him joy . 12:26 The righteous person is cautious in his friendship , but the way of the wicked leads them astray . 12:27 The lazy person does not roast his prey , but personal possessions are precious to the diligent . 12:28 In the path of righteousness there is life , but another path leads to death . 13:1 A wise son accepts his father’s discipline , but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke . 13:2 From the fruit of his speech a person eats good things, but the faithless desire the fruit of violence . 13:3 The one who guards his words guards his life , but whoever is talkative will come to ruin . 13:4 The appetite of the sluggard craves but gets nothing , but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied . 13:5 The righteous person hates anything false , but the wicked person acts in shameful disgrace . 13:6 Righteousness guards the one who lives with integrity , but wickedness overthrows the sinner . 13:7 There is one who pretends to be rich and yet has nothing ; another pretends to be poor and yet possesses great wealth . 13:8 The ransom of a person’s life is his wealth , but the poor person hears no threat . 13:9 The light of the righteous shines brightly , but the lamp of the wicked goes out . 13:10 With pride comes only contention , but wisdom is with the well-advised . 13:11 Wealth gained quickly will dwindle away , but the one who gathers it little by little will become rich . 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick , but a longing fulfilled is like a tree of life . 13:13 The one who despises instruction will pay the penalty , but whoever esteems instruction will be rewarded . 13:14 Instruction from the wise is like a life-giving fountain , to turn a person from deadly snares . 13:15 Keen insight wins favor , but the conduct of the unfaithful is harsh . 13:16 Every shrewd person acts with knowledge , but a fool displays his folly . 13:17 An unreliable messenger falls into trouble , but a faithful envoy brings healing . 13:18 The one who neglects discipline ends up in poverty and shame , but the one who accepts reproof is honored . 13:19 A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul , but fools abhor turning away from evil . 13:20 The one who associates with the wise grows wise , but a companion of fools suffers harm . 13:21 Calamity pursues sinners , but prosperity rewards the righteous . 13:22 A benevolent person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren , but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous . 13:23 There is abundant food in the field of the poor , but it is swept away by injustice . 13:24 The one who spares his rod hates his child , but the one who loves his child is diligent in disciplining him. 13:25 The righteous has enough food to satisfy his appetite , but the belly of the wicked lacks food. 14:1 Every wise woman builds her household , but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands . 14:2 The one who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord , but the one who is perverted in his ways despises him. 14:3 In the speech of a fool is a rod for his back , but the words of the wise protect them. 14:4 Where there are no oxen , the feeding trough is clean , but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen . 14:5 A truthful witness does not lie , but a false witness breathes out lies . 14:6 The scorner seeks wisdom but finds none , but understanding is easy for a discerning person. 14:7 Leave the presence of a foolish person , or you will not understand wise counsel . 14:8 The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way , but the folly of fools is deception . 14:9 Fools mock at reparation , but among the upright there is favor . 14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness , and with its joy no one else can share . 14:11 The household of the wicked will be destroyed , but the tent of the upright will flourish . 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a person , but its end is the way that leads to death . 14:13 Even in laughter the heart may ache , and the end of joy may be grief . 14:14 The backslider will be paid back from his own ways , but a good person will be rewarded for his. 14:15 A naive person believes everything , but the shrewd person discerns his steps . 14:16 A wise person is cautious and turns from evil , but a fool throws off restraint and is overconfident . 14:17 A person who has a quick temper does foolish things, and a person with crafty schemes is hated . 14:18 The naive inherit folly , but the shrewd are crowned with knowledge . 14:19 Those who are evil will bow before those who are good , and the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous . 14:20 A poor person is disliked even by his neighbors , but those who love the rich are many . 14:21 The one who despises his neighbor sins , but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed . 14:22 Do not those who devise evil go astray? But those who plan good exhibit faithful covenant love. 14:23 In all hard work there is profit , but merely talking about it only brings poverty . 14:24 The crown of the wise is their riches , but the folly of fools is folly . 14:25 A truthful witness rescues lives , but the one who breathes lies brings deception . 14:26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence , and it will be a refuge for his children . 14:27 The fear of the Lord is like a life-giving fountain , to turn people from deadly snares . 14:28 A king’s glory is the abundance of people , but the lack of subjects is the ruin of a ruler . 14:29 The one who is slow to anger has great understanding , but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly . 14:30 A tranquil spirit revives the body , but envy is rottenness to the bones . 14:31 The one who oppresses the poor insults his Creator , but whoever shows favor to the needy honors him. 14:32 The wicked will be thrown down in his trouble , but the righteous have refuge even in the threat of death . 14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning ; it is known even in the heart of fools . 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation , but sin is a disgrace to any people . 14:35 The king shows favor to a wise servant , but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully . 15:1 A gentle response turns away anger , but a harsh word stirs up wrath . 15:2 The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly , but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly . 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place , keeping watch on those who are evil and those who are good . 15:4 Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree , but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit . 15:5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline , but whoever heeds reproof shows good sense . 15:6 In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth , but the income of the wicked brings trouble . 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge , but not so the heart of fools . 15:8 The Lord abhors the sacrifices of the wicked , but the prayer of the upright pleases him. 15:9 The Lord abhors the way of the wicked , but he loves those who pursue righteousness . 15:10 Severe discipline is for the one who abandons the way ; the one who hates reproof will die . 15:11 Death and Destruction are before the Lord – how much more the hearts of humans ! 15:12 The scorner does not love one who corrects him; he will not go to the wise . 15:13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful , but by a painful heart the spirit is broken . 15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge , but the mouth of fools feeds on folly . 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are bad , but one with a cheerful heart has a continual feast . 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth and turmoil with it. 15:17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred . 15:18 A quick-tempered person stirs up dissension , but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel . 15:19 The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns , but the path of the upright is like a highway . 15:20 A wise child brings joy to his father , but a foolish person despises his mother . 15:21 Folly is a joy to one who lacks sense , but one who has understanding follows an upright course . 15:22 Plans fail when there is no counsel , but with abundant advisers they are established . 15:23 A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer , and a word at the right time – how good it is! 15:24 The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol . 15:25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud , but he maintains the boundaries of the widow . 15:26 The Lord abhors the plans of the wicked , but pleasant words are pure . 15:27 The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household , but whoever hates bribes will live . 15:28 The heart of the righteous considers how to answer , but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things . 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked , but he hears the prayer of the righteous . 15:30 A bright look brings joy to the heart , and good news gives health to the body . 15:31 The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise . 15:32 The one who refuses correction despises himself , but whoever hears reproof acquires understanding . 15:33 The fear of the Lord provides wise instruction , and before honor comes humility . 16:1 The intentions of the heart belong to a man , but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord . 16:2 All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion , but the Lord evaluates the motives . 16:3 Commit your works to the Lord , and your plans will be established . 16:4 The Lord works everything for its own ends – even the wicked for the day of disaster . 16:5 The Lord abhors every arrogant person ; rest assured that they will not go unpunished . 16:6 Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased ; through fearing the Lord one avoids evil . 16:7 When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord , he even reconciles his enemies to himself. 16:8 Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice . 16:9 A person plans his course , but the Lord directs his steps . 16:10 The divine verdict is in the words of the king , his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice . 16:11 Honest scales and balances are from the Lord ; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork . 16:12 Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings , because a throne is established in righteousness . 16:13 The delight of kings is righteous counsel , and they love the one who speaks uprightly . 16:14 A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death , but a wise person appeases it. 16:15 In the light of the king’s face there is life , and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain . 16:16 How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold ; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver . 16:17 The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil ; the one who guards his way safeguards his life . 16:18 Pride goes before destruction , and a haughty spirit before a fall . 16:19 It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud . 16:20 The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success , and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord . 16:21 The one who is wise in heart is called discerning , and kind speech increases persuasiveness . 16:22 Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools . 16:23 A wise person’s heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words . 16:24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb , sweet to the soul and healing to the bones . 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a person , but its end is the way that leads to death . 16:26 A laborer’s appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work. 16:27 A wicked scoundrel digs up evil , and his slander is like a scorching fire . 16:28 A perverse person spreads dissension , and a gossip separates the closest friends . 16:29 A violent person entices his neighbor , and leads him down a path that is terrible . 16:30 The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things , and one who compresses his lips brings about evil . 16:31 Gray hair is like a crown of glory ; it is attained in the path of righteousness . 16:32 Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior , and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city . 16:33 The dice are thrown into the lap , but their every decision is from the Lord . 17:1 Better is a dry crust of bread where there is quietness than a house full of feasting with strife . 17:2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over an heir who behaves shamefully , and will share the inheritance along with the relatives . 17:3 The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold , likewise the Lord tests hearts . 17:4 One who acts wickedly pays attention to evil counsel ; a liar listens to a malicious tongue . 17:5 The one who mocks the poor insults his Creator ; whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished . 17:6 Grandchildren are like a crown to the elderly , and the glory of children is their parents . 17:7 Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool ; how much less are lies for a ruler ! 17:8 A bribe works like a charm for the one who offers it; in whatever he does he succeeds . 17:9 The one who forgives an offense seeks love , but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends . 17:10 A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool . 17:11 An evil person seeks only rebellion , and so a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 17:12 It is better for a person to meet a mother bear being robbed of her cubs , than to encounter a fool in his folly . 17:13 As for the one who repays evil for good , evil will not leave his house . 17:14 Starting a quarrel is like letting out water ; stop it before strife breaks out ! 17:15 The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent – both of them are an abomination to the Lord . 17:16 Of what use is money in the hand of a fool , since he has no intention of acquiring wisdom ? 17:17 A friend loves at all times , and a relative is born to help in adversity . 17:18 The one who lacks wisdom strikes hands in pledge, and puts up financial security for his neighbor . 17:19 The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression ; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction . 17:20 The one who has a perverse heart does not find good , and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble . 17:21 Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief , and the father of a fool has no joy . 17:22 A cheerful heart brings good healing , but a crushed spirit dries up the bones . 17:23 A wicked person receives a bribe secretly to pervert the ways of justice . 17:24 Wisdom is directly in front of the discerning person, but the eyes of a fool run to the ends of the earth . 17:25 A foolish child is a grief to his father , and bitterness to the mother who bore him. 17:26 It is terrible to punish a righteous person, and to flog honorable men is wrong . 17:27 The truly wise person restrains his words , and the one who stays calm is discerning . 17:28 Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise , and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning . 18:1 One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires ; he rejects all sound judgment . 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding but only in disclosing what is on his mind . 18:3 When a wicked person arrives , contempt shows up with him, and with shame comes a reproach . 18:4 The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters , and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook . 18:5 It is terrible to show partiality to the wicked , by depriving a righteous man of justice . 18:6 The lips of a fool enter into strife , and his mouth invites a flogging . 18:7 The mouth of a fool is his ruin , and his lips are a snare for his life . 18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels ; they go down into the person’s innermost being . 18:9 The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys . 18:10 The name of the Lord is like a strong tower ; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high . 18:11 The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city , and it is like a high wall in his imagination . 18:12 Before destruction the heart of a person is proud , but humility comes before honor . 18:13 The one who gives an answer before he listens – that is his folly and his shame . 18:14 A person’s spirit sustains him through sickness – but who can bear a crushed spirit ? 18:15 The discerning person acquires knowledge , and the wise person seeks knowledge . 18:16 A person’s gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people. 18:17 The first to state his case seems right , until his opponent begins to cross-examine him. 18:18 A toss of a coin ends disputes , and settles the issue between strong opponents . 18:19 A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city , and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel . 18:20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied , with the product of his lips is he satisfied . 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue , and those who love its use will eat its fruit . 18:22 The one who finds a wife finds what is enjoyable , and receives a pleasurable gift from the Lord . 18:23 A poor person makes supplications , but a rich man answers harshly . 18:24 A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother . 19:1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool . 19:2 It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge , and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices. 19:3 A person’s folly subverts his way , and his heart rages against the Lord . 19:4 Wealth adds many friends , but a poor person is separated from his friend . 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished , and the one who spouts out lies will not escape punishment. 19:6 Many people entreat the favor of a generous person , and everyone is the friend of the person who gives gifts . 19:7 All the relatives of a poor person hate him; how much more do his friends avoid him– he pursues them with words , but they do not respond . 19:8 The one who acquires wisdom loves himself ; the one who preserves understanding will prosper . 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished , and the one who spouts out lies will perish . 19:10 Luxury is not appropriate for a fool ; how much less for a servant to rule over princes ! 19:11 A person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger , and it is his glory to overlook an offense . 19:12 A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion , but his favor is like dew on the grass . 19:13 A foolish child is the ruin of his father , and a contentious wife is like a constant dripping . 19:14 A house and wealth are inherited from parents , but a prudent wife is from the Lord . 19:15 Laziness brings on a deep sleep , and the idle person will go hungry . 19:16 The one who obeys commandments guards his life ; the one who despises his ways will die . 19:17 The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord , and the Lord will repay him for his good deed . 19:18 Discipline your child , for there is hope , but do not set your heart on causing his death . 19:19 A person with great anger bears the penalty , but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again . 19:20 Listen to advice and receive discipline , that you may become wise by the end of your life. 19:21 There are many plans in a person’s mind , but it is the counsel of the Lord which will stand . 19:22 What is desirable for a person is to show loyal love , and a poor person is better than a liar . 19:23 Fearing the Lord leads to life , and one who does so will live satisfied ; he will not be afflicted by calamity . 19:24 The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish , and he will not even bring it back to his mouth ! 19:25 Flog a scorner , and as a result the simpleton will learn prudence ; correct a discerning person , and as a result he will understand knowledge . 19:26 The one who robs his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace . 19:27 If you stop listening to instruction , my child , you will stray from the words of knowledge . 19:28 A crooked witness scorns justice , and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity . 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners , and floggings for the backs of fools . 20:1 Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler ; whoever goes astray by them is not wise . 20:2 The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion ; whoever provokes him sins against himself . 20:3 It is an honor for a person to cease from strife , but every fool quarrels . 20:4 The sluggard will not plow during the planting season , so at harvest time he looks for the crop but has nothing . 20:5 Counsel in a person’s heart is like deep water , but an understanding person draws it out. 20:6 Many people profess their loyalty , but a faithful person – who can find ? 20:7 The righteous person behaves in integrity ; blessed are his children after him. 20:8 A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes . 20:9 Who can say , “I have kept my heart clean ; I am pure from my sin ”? 20:10 Diverse weights and diverse measures – the Lord abhors both of them. 20:11 Even a young man is known by his actions , whether his activity is pure and whether it is right . 20:12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees – the Lord has made them both . 20:13 Do not love sleep , lest you become impoverished ; open your eyes so that you might be satisfied with food . 20:14 “It’s worthless ! It’s worthless !” says the buyer , but when he goes on his way , he boasts . 20:15 There is gold , and an abundance of rubies , but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel . 20:16 Take a man’s garment when he has given security for a stranger , and when he gives surety for strangers , hold him in pledge . 20:17 Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person , but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel . 20:18 Plans are established by counsel , so make war with guidance . 20:19 The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets ; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth . 20:20 The one who curses his father and his mother , his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness . 20:21 An inheritance gained easily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end . 20:22 Do not say , “I will pay back evil !” Wait for the Lord , so that he may vindicate you. 20:23 The Lord abhors differing weights , and dishonest scales are wicked . 20:24 The steps of a person are ordained by the Lord – so how can anyone understand his own way ? 20:25 It is a snare for a person to rashly cry, “Holy !” and only afterward to consider what he has vowed . 20:26 A wise king separates out the wicked ; he turns the threshing wheel over them. 20:27 The human spirit is like the lamp of the Lord , searching all his innermost parts . 20:28 Loyal love and truth preserve a king , and his throne is upheld by loyal love . 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength , and the splendor of old men is gray hair . 20:30 Beatings and wounds cleanse away evil , and floggings cleanse the innermost being . 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water ; he turns it wherever he wants . 21:2 All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion , but the Lord evaluates the motives . 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice . 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart – the agricultural product of the wicked is sin . 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty , but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty . 21:6 Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth ; they seek death . 21:7 The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right . 21:8 The way of the guilty person is devious , but as for the pure , his way is upright . 21:9 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife . 21:10 The appetite of the wicked desires evil ; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes . 21:11 When a scorner is punished , the naive becomes wise ; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge . 21:12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked ; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin . 21:13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor , he too will cry out and will not be answered . 21:14 A gift given in secret subdues anger , and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath . 21:15 Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil . 21:16 The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed . 21:17 The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person ; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich . 21:18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous , and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright . 21:19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman . 21:20 There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise , but a foolish person devours all he has. 21:21 The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life , bounty , and honor . 21:22 The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust . 21:23 The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles . 21:24 A proud and arrogant person, whose name is “Scoffer ,” acts with overbearing pride . 21:25 What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work . 21:26 All day long he craves greedily , but the righteous gives and does not hold back . 21:27 The wicked person’s sacrifice is an abomination ; how much more when he brings it with evil intent ! 21:28 A lying witness will perish , but the one who reports accurately speaks forever . 21:29 A wicked person shows boldness with his face , but as for the upright , he discerns his ways . 21:30 There is no wisdom and there is no understanding , and there is no counsel against the Lord . 21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle , but the victory is from the Lord . 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth , good favor more than silver or gold . 22:2 The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the creator of them both . 22:3 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it. 22:4 The reward for humility and fearing the Lord is riches and honor and life . 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse , but the one who guards himself keeps far from them . 22:6 Train a child in the way that he should go , and when he is old he will not turn from it. 22:7 The rich rule over the poor , and the borrower is servant to the lender . 22:8 The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble, and the rod of his fury will end . 22:9 A generous person will be blessed , for he gives some of his food to the poor . 22:10 Drive out the scorner and contention will leave; strife and insults will cease . 22:11 The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious – the king will be his friend . 22:12 The eyes of the Lord guard knowledge , but he overthrows the words of the faithless person . 22:13 The sluggard says , “There is a lion outside ! I will be killed in the middle of the streets !” 22:14 The mouth of an adulteress is like a deep pit ; the one against whom the Lord is angry will fall into it. 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child , but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. 22:16 The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain and the one who gives to the rich – both end up only in poverty .

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • Poetry

    [ebd] has been well defined as "the measured language of emotion." Hebrew poetry deals almost exclusively with the great question of man's relation to God. "Guilt, condemnation, punishment, pardon, redemption, repentance are the a...

  • Wicked

    [nave] WICKED Compared with: Abominable branches, Isa. 14:19; ashes under the feet, Mal. 4:3; bad fishes, Matt. 13:48; beasts, Psa. 49:12; 2 Pet. 2:12; the blind, Zeph. 1:17; Matt. 15:14; bronze and iron, Jer. 6:28; Ezek. 22:18; br...

  • PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF

    [isbe] PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF - prov'-erbz: I. THE BOOK'S ACCOUNT OF ITSELF 1. Title and Headings 2. Authorship or Literary Species? II. THE SUCCESSIVE COMPILATIONS 1. The Introductory Section 2. The Classic Nucleus 3. A Body of Sol...

  • Wisdom

    [isbe] WISDOM - wiz'-dum: 1. Linguistic 2. History 3. Religious Basis 4. Ideals 5. Teaching of Christ 6. Remainder of the New Testament (1) James (2) Paul 7. Hypostasis LITERATURE 1. Linguistic: In the Revised Version (British and ...
    [nave] WISDOM Of Joseph, Gen. 41:16, 25-39; Acts 7:10. Of Moses, Acts 7:22. Of Bezaleel, Ex. 31:3-5; 35:31-35; 36:1. Of Aholiab, Ex. 31:6; 35:34, 35; 36:1; of other skilled artisans, Ex. 36:2; of women, Ex. 35:26. Of Hiram, 1 K...

  • Speaking

    [nave] SPEAKING. Evil Ex. 22:28; Job 19:18; Psa. 10:7, 8; Psa. 12:3, 4; Psa. 34:13; Psa. 35:21; Psa. 41:5-9; Psa. 52:2-4; Psa. 59:12; Psa. 64:2-5; Psa. 69:12, 26; Psa. 70:3; Psa. 102:8; Psa. 106:33; Psa. 119:23; Psa. 120:1-7; Psa...

  • God

    [nave] GOD. List of Sub-Topics Miscellany; Unclassified Scriptures Relating to; Access to; Compassion of; Creator; Creator of Mankind; Eternity of; Faithfulness of; Fatherhood of; Favor of; Foreknowledge of; Glory of; Goodness of...

  • FOOL; FOLLY

    [isbe] FOOL; FOLLY - fool nabhal, 'ewil, kecil, cakhal and forms; aphron, aphrosune, moros): I. In the Old Testament. 1. General: Taking the words generally, apart from the Wisdom literature, we find nabhal frequently translated "f...

  • Poor

    [isbe] POOR - poor ('ebhyon, dal, `ani, rush; ptochos): I. In the Old Testament. The poor have great prominence in the Bible; it is said, indeed, that there should be no poor among the Hebrews because Yahweh should so greatly bless...
    [nave] POOR Atonement money of, uniform with that of the rich, Ex. 30:15. Inexpensive offerings of the poor, Lev. 5:7; 12:8; 14:21, 22. See: Beneficence; Giving; Liberality; Orphans; Poverty; Widow. Also See: Rich; Riches. Uncl...

  • GOD, 2

    [isbe] GOD, 2 - II. The Idea of God in the Old Testament. 1. Course of Its Development: Any attempt to write the whole history of the idea of God in the Old Testament would require a preliminary study of the literary and historical...

  • Sin

    [ebd] is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6...
    [nave] SIN. Index of Sub-Topics Miscellany of Minor Sub-Topics; Unclassified Scriptures Relating to, Defining, and Illustrating; Confession of; Consequences of, Entailed Upon Children; Conviction of; Forgiveness of; Fruits of; Kn...

  • PROVERBS, BOOK OF

    [smith] The title of this book in Hebrew is taken from its first word, mashal , which originally meant "a comparison." It is sometimes translated parable, sometimes proverb as here. The superscriptions which are affixed to several po...

  • Prudence

    [nave] PRUDENCE. Job 34:3, 4; Psa. 39:1; Psa. 112:5; Prov. 6:1, 2; Prov. 8:12; Prov. 11:13, 15, 29; Prov. 12:8, 23; Prov. 13:16; Prov. 14:8, 15, 16, 18; Prov. 15:5, 22; Prov. 16:20, 21; Prov. 17:2, 18; Prov. 18:15, 16; Prov. 19:2;...

  • Lies and Deceits

    [nave] LIES AND DECEITS Ex. 23:1; Lev. 6:2-7; Lev. 19:11, 12, 16 Ex. 20:16. Job 13:4; Job 21:34; Job 27:4; Job 31:5, 6, 33; Job 36:4; Psa. 5:6, 9; Psa. 10:7; Psa. 12:2, 3; Psa. 28:3; Psa. 31:18; Psa. 34:13 1 Pet. 3:10. Psa. 36:3; P...

  • Pride

    [nave] PRIDE. Ex. 18:10, 11; Lev. 26:19; Deut. 8:11-14, 17-20; Judg. 9:14, 15; 1 Sam. 2:3-5; 1 Kin. 20:11; 2 Kin. 14:9, 10 2 Chr. 25:18, 19. Job 11:12; Job 12:2, 3; Job 13:2, 5; Job 15:1-13; Job 18:3, 4; Job 21:31, 32; Job 32:9-13...

  • Heart

    [isbe] HEART - hart (lebh, lebhabh; kardia): The different senses in which the word occurs in the Old Testament and the New Testament may be grouped under the following heads: 1. Various Meanings: It represents in the first place t...
    [nave] HEART, seat of the affections. Renewed Deut. 30:6; Psa. 51:10; Ezek. 11:19; 18:31; 36:26; Rom. 2:29; Eph. 4:23; Col. 3:10. Regenerated, John 3:3, 7. Graciously affected of God, 1 Sam. 10:26; 1 Chr. 29:18; Ezra 6:22; 7:27;...

  • Children

    [nave] CHILDREN In answer to prayer: To Abraham, Gen. 15:2-5, with Gen. 21:1, 2; Isaac, Gen. 25:21; Leah, Gen. 30:17-22; Rachel, Gen. 30:22-24; Haah, 1 Sam. 1:9-20; Zacharias, Luke 1:13. Treatment of, at birth, Ezek. 16:4-6; Luke ...

  • Fool

    [nave] FOOL: Psa. 5:5; Psa. 14:1 Psa. 53:1. Psa. 74:18, 22; Psa. 107:17; Prov. 1:7, 22; Prov. 3:35; Prov. 9:6-8, 13-17; Prov. 10:1, 8 v. 10.13,14,18,23Prov. 14:1, 7-9, 15; Prov. 15:7, 20, 21; Prov. 17:24, 25; Prov. 18:2, 6, 7; Pro...

  • Laziness

    [nave] LAZINESS Prov. 6:6, 9-11 Prov. 24:33. Prov. 10:4, 5, 26; Prov. 12:9, 24, 27; Prov. 13:4; Prov. 14:23; Prov. 15:19; Prov. 18:9; Prov. 19:15, 24; Prov. 20:4, 13; Prov. 21:25, 26; Prov. 23:21; Prov. 24:30, 31, 33, 34; Prov. 26:...

  • Integrity

    [isbe] INTEGRITY - in-teg'-ri-ti (tom, tummah): The translation of tom, "simplicity," "soundness," "completeness," rendered also "upright," "perfection." Its original sense appears in the phrase letom (1 Ki 22:34; 2 Ch 18:33), "A c...
    [nave] INTEGRITY. Gen. 18:19; Ex. 18:21; Deut. 16:19, 20; Job 10:7; Job 13:15, 18; Job 16:17; Job 27:4-6; Job 29:14; Job 31:1-40; Psa. 7:3-5, 8; Psa. 15:1-5; Psa. 17:3; Psa. 18:20 2 Sam. 22:21. Psa. 24:3-5; Psa. 26:1-3; Psa. 69:4;...

  • Slander

    [isbe] SLANDER - slan'-der (substantive, dibbah, "slander"; diabolos, "slanderer"; verb raghal, "to slink about" as a talebearer, lashan, "to use the tongue," "to slander"; diaballo, "to calumniate," "to slander"; and other words):...
    [nave] SLANDER Comes from the evil heart, Luke 6:45. Often arises from hatred, Psa. 109:3. Idleness leads to, 1 Tim. 5:13. The wicked addicted to, Psa. 50:20. Hypocrites addicted to, Prov. 11:9. A characteristic of the devil, ...
more

Arts

Hymns

(Note: In "active" or "on" condition, the hymns music will be played automatically when mouse hover on a hymns title)
  • Ya Allahku, di Cah'yaMu [KJ.25]
  • [Pro 10:6] Count Your Blessings
  • [Pro 10:6] I’ll Count My Blessings
  • [Pro 10:7] O Shepherd Of The Sheep
  • [Pro 10:22] Sweet The Moments, Rich In Blessing
  • [Pro 10:27] Thus Far The Lord Hath Led Me On
  • [Pro 11:30] Give Me A Passion For Souls
  • [Pro 11:30] Lead Me To Some Soul Today
  • [Pro 11:30] Lord, Give Us Souls
  • [Pro 11:30] Win The One Next To You
  • [Pro 12:25] Make Somebody Happy Today
  • [Pro 12:25] We All Can Do Good
  • [Pro 13:9] Hail, Holy Light! The World Rejoices
  • [Pro 13:12] Gather Round The Christmas Tree
  • [Pro 13:12] Object Of All Our Knowledge Here
  • [Pro 13:20] Have Courage To Say No!
  • [Pro 14:25] Shall I, For Fear Of Feeble Man
  • [Pro 14:26] Beneath The Cross Of Jesus
  • [Pro 14:34] O Canada
  • [Pro 15:29] Faint Falls The Gentle Voice Of Prayer
  • [Pro 15:29] O God, Who Didst Thy Will Unfold
  • [Pro 15:29] O Thou Who Hearest Every Heartfelt Prayer
  • [Pro 16:3] Life In The Loom
  • [Pro 16:4] Holy Father, God Almighty
  • [Pro 16:20] Happy Are They, They That Love God
  • [Pro 16:23] God Bless Our School Today
  • [Pro 16:24] Somebody Did A Golden Deed
  • [Pro 18:20] Jesu! Name All Names Above
  • [Pro 18:24] One Is Kind Above All Others
  • [Pro 18:24] One There Is, Above All Others
  • [Pro 19:12] Dew Of Mercy
  • [Pro 19:12] Ye Heav’ns, Oh Haste Your Dews To Shed
  • [Pro 20:11] We Are But Little Children Weak
  • [Pro 20:21] I Bind My Heart This Tide
  • [Pro 21:16] Weary Souls, That Wander Wide
  • [Pro 22:2] Meet Me There
  • [Pro 22:6] Almighty Lord, With One Accord

Questions

Sermon Illustrations

Requirements; Proverbs; Ephesians 6:4; General; A Time to Keep Silence; Parenting; Qualities Needed in Parenting; Credit; Ears to Hear; Communication in Marriage; Our Tongue’s Get Us Into Trouble; Proverbs 22:1, (A Good Name); Proverbs 22:6; Good Name of a Grandad; Proverbs 17:1; Trouble; Truth; Proverbs 11:24-31; Paderewski; Tips for Sharing Your Faith With Your Family; 1 Corinthians 10:23ff; Proverbs 12:15; Snowstorm; God Never …; Responsibility; Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 15:33; The Study of Evil in the World

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • 2:4 Having related the creation of the universe as we know it, God next inspired Moses to explain for his readers what became of it.129Sin entered it and devastated it."The destiny of the human creation is to live in God's wo...
  • Jacob was ready to sacrifice part of his family expecting Esau to attack him, and he approached his brother as though Esau was his lord. In contrast, Esau welcomed Jacob magnanimously, reluctantly received his gift, and offer...
  • About 10 years had passed since Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, and he had not yet returned to Bethel to fulfill his vow there (28:20-22). His negligence evidently was due in part to the continuing presence of the idols ...
  • Joseph's brothers met his second recorded visit to them with great antagonism. They plotted to kill him and so render his dreams impossible to fulfill. For practical reasons they decided to sell him and to deceive Jacob into ...
  • 21:12-14 The Torah upheld capital punishment for murder (v. 12), which God commanded of Noah (Gen. 9:6) and people in the Near East practiced from then on. It did not permit capital punishment in the case of manslaughter (unp...
  • The blessings and curses (ch. 26) were in a sense God's vows to His people. This chapter deals with His people's vows to Him. Another connection between these chapters is that in times of divine discipline (26:14-33) people t...
  • "The passage at hand is without comparison as a discourse on the doctrine of God."56Moses' three rhetorical questions (vv. 32-34) clearly point out the uniqueness of Yahweh."In addition to His self-disclosure in event, in his...
  • The Israelites were not only to care for the Levites (14:27, 29) and the aliens, orphans, and widows (14:29) but also other individuals in the nation who were in need (15:1-18).15:1-11 "It is appropriate to deal with the law ...
  • At Jericho, Israel learned God's strength. At Ai, she learned her own weakness. She could only conquer her enemies as she remained faithful to God's covenant."We are never in greater danger than right after we have won a grea...
  • The residents of the town of Gibeon decided that if they could not defeat the Israelites they would join them. This has been a strategy that enemies of believers have employed for centuries (cf. Num. 25:1-2).9:1-2 Israel is t...
  • The main part of the second half of the Book of Joshua dealing with the division of the land ends with the appointment of the Levitical cities (chs. 13-21). The rest of the book deals with settlement in the land (chs. 22-24)....
  • 4:1-3 As long as Ehud lived he kept Israel faithful to God (v. 1). However after he died, God's people again turned from the Lord. In discipline God allowed the Canaanites in the North to gain strength and dominate the Israel...
  • Ruth carried out Naomi's instructions exactly, further demonstrating her loyal love to her mother-in-law, and encouraged Boaz to pursue the possibility of marriage (vv. 6-9)."Note that the threshingfloor was a public place an...
  • "Saul's rise to kingship over Israel took place in three distinct stages: He was (1) anointed by Samuel (9:1-10:16), (2) chosen by lot (10:17-27), and (3) confirmed by public acclamation (11:1-15).112Saul's anointing had been...
  • Admirably Saul sought no personal revenge on those who initially had failed to support him (10:27; cf. Judg. 20:13; Luke 19:27). Furthermore he gave God the glory for his victory (cf. Jon. 2:9; Ps. 20:7; Prov. 21:31). He was ...
  • Goliath disdained David because the lad had no battle scars; he was not a warrior at all but simply a fresh-faced boy (v. 42). Goliath assumed that he would win because his physical power and armaments were superior. As often...
  • Both Maon and Carmel (meaning "Garden Spot") stood about 14 miles west of Engedi and about 7 miles south-southeast of Hebron. The reference to Nabal's 3,000 sheep may be an allusion to Saul's 3,000 soldiers (24:2). As the sto...
  • David thanked God for vindicating him and for preventing him from doing evil. Abigail had been the instrument that God had used to do this (v. 39). It was proper for David to give thanks since he had left Nabal in the Lord's ...
  • Saul again confessed that he had sinned, as he had done when he had sacrificed at Gilgal (v. 21; cf. 15:24, 30) and when David had spared his life in the cave (24:17). Nevertheless he seems to have failed again to follow thro...
  • This second descendant of Saul demonstrated a reaction to David that was the opposite of Ziba's. Ziba had been ingratiating and submissive, but Shimei, a "reptile of the royal house of Saul,"245was insulting and defiant (cf. ...
  • This record emphasizes the supernatural character of the victories David was able to enjoy because God fought for him by using various men in his army."The lists of heroes and heroic exploits that frame the poetic centre-piec...
  • Solomon's forced laborers were non-Israelites (1 Chron. 8:7-8). Israelites also served, but they were not slaves (9:22). Solomon's method of providing workers for state projects became very distasteful to the people eventuall...
  • Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther have much in common. Among other things, they all deal with God's dealings with Israel following the captivity. Jeremiah had spoken of these years before the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem (Jer. 25...
  • Ezra recognized and acknowledged that God had moved Artaxerxes to do what he had done (cf. Prov. 21:1). "Lovingkindness"(v. 28) is more precisely "loyal love"(Heb. hesed). This Hebrew word has connections to the word translat...
  • The Book of Ezra records two major Jewish returns to the Promised Land from Babylon.The first of these took place in 537 B.C. under the leadership of Sheshbazzar and then Zerubbabel. About 50,000 Jews returned, rebuilt the te...
  • Evidently it was Kish, Mordecai's great-grandfather, who went into captivity with Jehoiachin (vv. 5-6).38This means Mordecai and Esther were probably descendants of the leading citizens of Jerusalem who went into exile in 597...
  • Haman cast the lot--puris the Persian word for "lot"--to determine the day most propitious to wipe out the Jews. In the pagan ancient Near East it was unthinkable to make plans of this nature without astrological guidance. Th...
  • Here we have another remarkable example of how God controls the hearts of kings (v. 2; Prov. 21:1; cf. Gen. 39-41; Ezra 1:1-4; Neh. 2; Dan. 2; 3; 4; 5; Acts 2:23). "To half of the kingdom"(v. 3) is hyperbole and means, "I wil...
  • "Here the early bird is gotten by the worm."85Haman's pride preceded his fall (v. 6; cf. Prov. 16:18). He wanted to appear as much like the king himself as possible in the honors he recommended for the person he thought would...
  • "Chapter 26 is one of the grandest recitals in the whole book. It is excelled only by the Lord's speeches, as is fitting. It sounds well in Job's mouth, and ends the dialogue, like the first movement of a symphony, with great...
  • 15:2a-b In this section the psalmist summarized what was necessary to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. First, he or she must have a pattern of life that is blameless (Heb. tamim). This word means genuine, free fro...
  • The title of this book in the Hebrew Bible is "The Proverbs of Solomon, the Son of David, King in Israel"(cf. 1:1). The Greek Septuagint called this book "Proverbs of Solomon."The Latin Vulgate named it "The Book of Proverbs....
  • Proverbs claims to be a compendium of the wise sayings of several different individuals.4Solomon originated some of them (10:1-22:16 and chs. 25-29 definitely, and probably chs. 1-9 as well).5Unnamed wise men (sages) wrote ot...
  • The Book of Proverbs contains no history. It is purely didactic. It is a book of explicit instruction. Like the other Old Testament wisdom books, Job and Ecclesiastes, it does not contain references to Israel's laws, rituals,...
  • I. Discourses on wisdom chs. 1-9A. Introduction to the book 1:1-71. The title of the book 1:12. The purpose of the book 1:2-63. The thesis of the book 1:7B. Instruction for young people 1:8-7:271. Warning against consorting w...
  • Verse one introduces both the book as a whole and chapters 1-9 in particular. The Book of Proverbs is a collection of at least five separate groups of proverbs. There are those that Solomon spoke and or wrote (possibly chs. 1...
  • This verse enjoys almost universal recognition as the key statement not only in Proverbs but in all the wisdom literature of the Bible (cf. 9:10; 15:33; Job 28:28; Ps. 111:10; Eccles. 12:13). Some people think of it as the mo...
  • In the pericope before us the wise way (vv. 8-9) does not have the personal appeal, the excitement and hope of power, that the second way does (vv. 10-19). Its only reward is goodness as opposed to acceptance by one's peers."...
  • This is one of several passages in Proverbs where the writer personified wisdom. Her call comes to people in the market, in the hustle and bustle of life, not in the seclusion of the home or sanctuary (cf. v. 8).36"To whom do...
  • The last pericope of this chapter emphasizes the importance of persisting in the good practices that will lead to life. Success usually comes to those who keep concentrating on and perfecting the basics in their work. Our tem...
  • Verses 15-23 point out a better way, namely, fidelity. Strict faithfulness will not result in unhappiness or failure to experience what is best in life, as the world likes to try to make us think. Rather it guards us from the...
  • Chapters 1-9, as we have seen, contain discourses that Solomon evidently wrote urging his sons to choose the way of wisdom for their lives.92At 10:1 we begin the part of the book that sets forth what the wise way is in a vari...
  • 10:2 At face value both statements in this verse may seem untrue. The solution to this puzzling proverb, as well as the solution to many that follow, lies in remembering this. Solomon had the whole course of a life in view, n...
  • 10:15 Even though wealth is not most important, it still can result in security or poverty, and therefore people should not despise it.10:19 Transgressing means breaking across. When we speak too much, we break across into an...
  • 11:2 A proud person refuses to accept instruction from God, which, if he or she would follow it, would result in his or her receiving honor. The humble take God's advice, and that is their wisdom.10211:4 Riches do not profit ...
  • 11:19 The full quality of life is in view (cf. John 10:10), not just the possession of life."Since life and death result from moral choices, righteousness must be pursued. . . . Life' and death' describe the vicissitudes of t...
  • 12:6 The words of the wicked, particularly their false accusations, are an ambush, but the words of the upright are straightforward and sincere (cf. 1:18).10712:9 A better translation is, "Better is a man of humble standing w...
  • 12:16 A prudent person "ignores an insult"(RSV). The insult is dishonor to himself or herself. A fool's reaction is "like an injured animal and so his opponent knows that he has been wounded."11012:18 Thoughtless or critical ...
  • 13:3 This caution applies to transparent sharing as well as verbose communication. Both can bring ruin to the speaker.13:4 The "soul"stands for the whole person (cf. Matt. 16:24-27; Mark 3:4; Luke 6:9; 9:56; Rom. 13:1; 1 Thes...
  • These proverbs are more difficult to group together under a general heading because there are fewer common ideas that tie them together.14:1 This verse makes better sense if for "house"we read "household."14:3 The antecedent ...
  • There is a shift in emphasis in Solomon's anthology here. Pleasing God (cf. Col. 1:10; 1 John 3:22) becomes a greater factor in the proverbs that follow whereas those in chapters 10-15 had living successfully more in view. Ne...
  • 17:8 The owner of the bribe is the person who gives it. A bribe is an effective tool. It works like a charm. This proverb is not advocating bribery, only acknowledging that money talks. God's view of bribery becomes clear in ...
  • 18:1 Evidently the intent is, "He who separates himself [from other people]"does so because he wants his own way and does not want others to restrain him. Such an approach runs counter to sound wisdom because we all need inpu...
  • As was true in the chapter 10-15 section, this one (16:1-22:16) also becomes more difficult to outline as it ends because there are fewer groupings of proverbs.19:7 The first part of this verse is hyperbole (overstatement to ...
  • A third major section of the Book of Proverbs begins with 22:17. This is clear from several indicators. The proverbs lengthen out again from the typical one verse couplet that characterizes 10:1-26:16 (cf. chs. 1-9). The phra...
  • 22:22-23 Note the chiastic structure in these four lines that unifies the thought of the passage: violence, litigation, litigation, violence. God will avenge the poor on those who oppress them.22:24-25 The writer gave a reaso...
  • The first sentence in 24:23 indicates that what follows was not part of the collection of 30 sayings that preceded. Other wise men (lit. sages) evidently provided these proverbs.24:23-25 This saying advocates justice and stra...
  • We return now to the proverbs of Solomon (cf. 1:1-22:16). Chapters 25-26 contain proverbs that are mainly comparisons. The key words in these chapters are "like . . . so."Chapter 27 is a mixture of comparative and antithetica...
  • 25:1 A group of scholars who served during King Hezekiah's reign (715-686 B.C.) added more of Solomon's 3,000 proverbs (1 Kings 4:32) to the former collection (1:1-22:16). These men lived about 250 years after Solomon. Solomo...
  • Many of the analogies in this pericope deal with virtues and vices that are characteristic of the wise and the foolish.27:7 The point of this proverb seems to be that the quantity of a person's material possessions affects hi...
  • Most of the proverbs in this section are couplets, and most of them set forth a truth by means of a contrast.28:2 When wickedness abounds in a land there is usually a high rate of turnover in the leadership (v. 2a). The North...
  • Chapters 30 and 31 form a distinct section in Proverbs because neither Solomon (1:1-22:16; chs. 25-29) nor the unnamed sages (22:17-24:34) wrote them. Two other wise men whose names the text records did. Some expositors specu...
  • We have read much in Proverbs already about unwise women. Solomon personified both wisdom and folly as women (chs. 8-9). Perhaps God wanted us to finish reading this book assured that women are not essentially evil or foolish...
  • The quality of wisdom that Proverbs presents is much more than the ability to apply knowledge to various situations in life effectively. It also involves submission to the way of God that is the order of life God has revealed...
  • Aitken, Kenneth T. Proverbs. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1986.Alden, Robert L. Proverbs: A Commentary on an Ancient Book of Timeless Advice. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984.Archer, Gleason L., Jr. Encyclopedia of Bi...
  • 5:18-19 The Israelites were deliberately sinning. They had not innocently fallen into sin, but they were pursuing it willfully. Rather than fleeing from it, they were holding it to themselves. Even worse, they were doing so i...
  • Isaiah continued the sheep metaphor but applied it to the Servant to contrast sinful people and their innocent substitute. Here it is not the sheep's tendency to get lost but its nondefensive nature that is the characteristic...
  • This final stanza gives the explanation for the Servant's submissive suffering for sinners and so completes the song.53:10 The apparent miscarriage of justice just described (v. 9) would not be what it would appear to be. It ...
  • 10:17 Jeremiah called those living during the siege of Jerusalem to pack their bags. He often warned his hearers of the coming invasion by speaking as if the enemy was attacking. Consequently it is very difficult, if not impo...
  • 1:15 Ezekiel also saw a prominent wheel standing upright on the ground beside each of the four living creatures.1:16 These wheels appeared to have been skillfully made of some valuable material, the exact identity of which is...
  • This pericope contains 10 commands, and it is the center of the chiasm in chapters 1-3."The Lord's charge to Ezekiel emphasized the absolute necessity of hearing, understanding, and assimilating God's message prior to going f...
  • Ezekiel was also to do something else during the time he was dramatizing the siege of Jerusalem with his model (ch. 4)."After Ezekiel represented the factof the siege (first sign [4:1-3]), the lengthof the siege (second sign ...
  • 21:18-20 The Lord also commanded Ezekiel to make a representation of two roads coming out of Babylon by which judgment from Yahweh would come. Perhaps he did this by drawing in the dirt or on a tablet. Really there was to be ...
  • 26:1 An oracle concerning Tyre came to Ezekiel on the first of an unspecified month in the eleventh year of the captivity, namely, 587-586 B.C.35326:2 Divine judgment would come on this city-state because its people rejoiced ...
  • 27:1-3 The Lord instructed Ezekiel to write a lamentation over Tyre, though presently it was renowned for its seafaring and commercial leadership in the world. Tyre's neighboring kings sang the first dirge over Tyre's demise ...
  • 31:15 On the day that God humbled Assyria, He caused many people and nations to mourn her demise. He made it impossible for that nation to revive; He did the same thing as burying it in the sea, and He kept its life-giving wa...
  • The Lord next gave Ezekiel directions for the division of some of the Promised Land in the future. Revelation about apportioning the rest of the land follows later (47:13-48:35). These descriptions do not coincide with any di...
  • Mention of the proper leadership of the Israelites in the Millennium led to an exhortation to Israel's leaders to practice justice and righteousness in the present and in the future.45:9 The Lord next commanded the leaders of...
  • 1:3-5 Nebuchadnezzar's enlightened policy was to employ the best minds in his kingdom in government service regardless of their national or ethnic origin. We do not know how many other Jews and Gentiles were the classmates of...
  • The target audience of this warning passage was originally the leaders as well as the ordinary citizens of Israel.5:1 Hosea called on the Israelite priests, the whole population of Israel, and the royal household to hear this...
  • 8:1 The Lord commanded Hosea to announce coming judgment by telling him to put a trumpet to his lips. The blowing of the shophar announced that an invader was coming (cf. 5:8). Israel's enemy would swoop down on the nation as...
  • 13:4 Yahweh had been Israel's God since the Israelites had lived in Egypt.83He had commanded the Israelites not to acknowledge any gods beside Himself because He was the only God who could save them (cf. Deut. 11:28; 32:17; J...
  • The reason for Yahweh's consuming judgment of Israel was that the Israelites were turning sweet justice into something bitter and were throwing righteousness to the ground with disrespect. These figures picture their total co...
  • The sailors interrogated Jonah about his reasons for travelling on their ship, but it was his failure to live consistently with his convictions that amazed them.1:7 It appears to have been common among the heathen to cast lot...
  • 3:1 This second oracle begins like the first and third ones, with a summons to hear the prophet's message (cf. 1:2; 6:1). The initial "And I said"ties this oracle to the preceding one and provides continuity. Micah asked rhet...
  • "The opening verses of Nahum form a prologue dominated by the revelation of God's eternal power and divine nature in creation (cf. Rom 1:20). As in Romans 1:18-32, this revelation is characterized preeminently by God's justic...
  • 2:6 Because of the Babylonians' sins it was inevitable that the righteous would taunt and mock them. They would pronounce woe on them for increasing what was not theirs just to have more and for making themselves rich by char...
  • The preceding vision described the future removal of individual sinners from the land through divine judgment, and this one pictures the eventual removal of all wickedness from the future "holy land"(2:12; cf. 3:9)."In line w...
  • Malachi prophesied during the times of Nehemiah. The dates of Nehemiah's ministry were about 445-420 B.C. Possibly Malachi ministered during the time when Nehemiah returned to Babylon following the completion of Jerusalem's w...
  • This pericope describes the character of the kingdom's subjects and their rewards in the kingdom.236"Looked at as a whole . . . the Beatitudes become a moral sketch of the type of person who is ready to possess, or rule over,...
  • 5:27-28 Jesus proceeded to clarify God's intended meaning in the seventh commandment (Exod. 20:14; Deut. 5:18). The rabbis in Jesus' day tended to look at adultery as wrong because it involved stealing another man's wife. The...
  • 5:38 Retaliation was common in the ancient Near East. Frequently it led to vendettas in which escalating vengeance continued for generations. Israel's "law of retaliation"(Lat. lex talionis) limited retaliation to no more tha...
  • Matthew recorded nine beatitudes, but Luke included only four. Matthew gave no woes, but Luke recorded four. The four beatitudes precede the four woes, and the beatitudes parallel the woes in thought. The beatitudes are posit...
  • The Pharisees, who considered themselves enlightened, now tried to badger the formerly blind man into denying that he saw the light.9:24 The Pharisees now questioned the healed man again. They had already decided that Jesus w...
  • 17:11b The title "Holy Father"appears only here in the fourth Gospel and is a reminder of both aspects of God's nature. It balances ideas of ultimate purity with intimate paternity and so prepares for what lies ahead, namely ...
  • 1:15 In view of Peter's leadership gifts, so obvious in the Gospels, it is no surprise that he is the one who took the initiative on this occasion."Undoubtedly, the key disciple in Luke's writings is Peter. He was the represe...
  • Paul concluded his exhortation regarding the collection by reminding his readers of the benefits God inevitably bestows on those who give liberally. He did this so they would follow through with their purpose and believe that...
  • 1:7 The "Him"in view is the beloved Son (v. 6).Redemption (Gr. apolytrosin) means release from slavery (cf. v. 14; 4:30; Luke 21:28; Rom. 3:24; 8:23; 1 Cor. 1:30; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:15; 11:35). It involves buying back and sett...
  • Paul seems to have intended the references in these verses to previous gifts that the Philippians had sent him to dispel any doubts they may have had about the genuineness of his gratitude.4:15 The Philippians had been very t...
  • 1:19 James' readers already knew what he had just reminded them of in the preceding verses (vv. 17-18; cf. Prov. 10:19; 13:3; 14:29; 15:1; 17:27-28; 29:11, 20; Eccles. 7:9). Nevertheless they needed to act in harmony with thi...
  • The filthiness in view seems to be all kinds of unclean behavior that lies outside the will of God including anger and wrath. The "remains of wickedness"are those evil habits of life we carry over from the unredeemed world (c...
  • James was not saying that a person who responds to another Christian's need, as in verses 15-16, shows that he has failed to exercise saving faith and is devoid of eternal life. He was saying that faith, if work (i.e., obedie...
  • To prepare his readers to meet the Lord soon Peter urged them to make the best use of their time now that they understood what he had written about suffering.4:7 Like the other apostles Peter believed the return of Jesus Chri...
  • 4:15-16 However, we should not take comfort in suffering that we bring on ourselves for sinning, only suffering that we experience because we take a stand with Jesus Christ (cf. 2:20). Peter felt ashamed when he denied the Lo...
  • Having established the believer's basic adequacy through God's power in him and God's promises to him, Peter next reminded his readers of their responsibility to cultivate their own Christian growth. He did so to correct any ...
  • vv. 17-18 "Forgetfulness of the teaching and warnings of God in Scripture is a major cause of spiritual deterioration. . . ."Remember! It is the first imperative that Jude has used, and it heads a whole cluster of them in thi...
  • An invitation preceded the promise, as in all the letters to follow (cf. 1:3). Jesus was the only person to issue this invitation in Scripture. The Gospels also record Him doing so seven times (Matt. 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9...
  • Jesus Christ held out blessings for the faithful few in the congregation to stimulate the rest to repent. White garments symbolic of one's works (19:8) are pure and free of defilement (cf. 7:9, 13; 19:14; Matt. 22:11-12). Sar...
  • Since they considered themselves to be rich but were spiritually poor Jesus urged them to "buy,"implying self-sacrifice, the things they really needed (cf. Isa. 55:1). Instead of real gold they should buy "gold refined by fir...
  • 6:1 "I saw"marks the continuation of what John had seen that chapters 4 and 5 record, but also the commencement of revelation concerning future events on earth. Chapters 1-5 have introduced this revelation. John was an eyewit...
  • Essentially what John saw next was Paradise regained (cf. 2:7; Gen. 2; Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:2). Having viewed the splendor of the New Jerusalem he now saw what will nourish and enrich the lives of God's people there."Up to t...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.'--Proverbs 10:29.You observe that the words shall be,' in the last clause, are a supplement. They are quite unnecessary, and...
  • Whose loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. 2. A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 3. A man shall not he established by wickedness; but t...
  • There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.'--Proverbs 13:7.Two singularly-contrasted characters are set in opposition here. One, that of a man who lives like...
  • Much food. is in the tillage of the poor.'--Proverbs 13:23.PALESTINE was a land of small peasant proprietors, and the institution of the Jubilee was intended to prevent the acquisition of large estates by any Israelite. The c...
  • Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.'--Proverbs 14:9.THE wisdom of this Book of Proverbs is not simply intellectual, but it has its roots in reverence and obedience to God, and for its accompanim...
  • Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.'--Proverbs 14:13.These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy may be in you, and that your Joy may he fulfilled.'--John 15:11 (R.V.).A POET,...
  • A good man shall be satisfied from himself.'--Proverbs 14:14AT first sight this saying strikes one as somewhat unlike the ordinary Scripture tone, and savouring rather of a Stoical self-complacency; but we recall parallel say...
  • All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.'--Proverbs 16:2.ALL the ways of a man'--then there is no such thing as being conscious of having gone wrong, and having got into miry and fou...
  • Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. 23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet ...
  • The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. 11. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.'--Proverbs 18:10-11.THE mere reading of these two verse...
  • Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 2. The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whose provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3. It is an honour for a m...
  • The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.'--Proverbs 20:4.LIKE all the sayings of this book, this is simply a piece of plain, practical common sense, intended to in...
  • Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.'--Proverbs 20:17.BREAD of deceit' is a somewhat ambiguous phrase, which may mean either of two things, and perhaps means both. It may ei...
Back to Commentary Page
Display Bible



Universal Search:

NET Only
Exact Search
Commentary
Study Dictionary
Word Study
Lexicon
Study Maps System
Sermon Illustrations
Expository
Arts
Resource
Daily Bible Reading
Training Video
Classic NET Bible
iPhone NET Bible
Mobile Bible
TIP #22: To open links on Discovery Box in a new window, use the right click. [ALL]
created in 0.34 seconds
powered by
bible.org - YLSA