| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. |
A soft answer – A kind and gentle answer may be helpful; turn away anger. R4009:4
Not only as good policy, but as the fruitage of the holy Spirit. R2325:4
The harder the truth, the more softly it should be spoken. R2325:4
This advice is nowhere more needed than in most home circles. R2325:5
Any other answer is incompatible with the spirit of love. R2325:4
Turneth away wrath – Neglect of this command is the cause of a large proportion of domestic infelicity. R2241:3
Grievous words – Strifeful, cutting, sarcastic words. R4009:4
Stir up anger – Stirring up difficulties which will become agents of retributive justice. R4805:3, R1938:3
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| 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. |
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| 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. |
Eyes of the LORD – The intelligence of Jehovah. R5209:3
The Lord's influence, his power of knowing, whatever the means; not that God beholds every act of every person. R5634:2
In every place – The nearest suggestion of God's omnipresence contained in the Scriptures. R5209:3
Every man has a present responsibility according to the measure of light enjoyed, whether it be light of nature or of revelation. A145
So we should let our children feel that our eye and God's is ever upon them, just as we feel that God's eye is upon us. R1097:5*
Beholding – Supervising all things. R1778:6
Evil and the good – "God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil." (Eccl. 12:14) R722:2, R1653:3, R2612:6; A145
God's knowledge of all conditions is not out of harmony with the fact that he permits things which he disapproves. R5209:6
Since the Lord's beholding of evil and good is unquestioned; since his ability to interfere is undoubtedly true; and that he has not yet interfered is manifest; then it is proper to say that God is permitting sin. R1778:6, R1270:3
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| 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. |
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| 5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. |
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| 6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. |
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| 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. |
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| 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. |
His delight – Since we were created for the divine pleasure (Rev. 4:11), being responsive to God's goodness institutes a lively and delightful fellowship with him. R2031:3
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| 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. |
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| 10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. |
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| 11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? |
Hell – Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. R2599:4; E367
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| 12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. |
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| 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. |
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| 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. |
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| 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. |
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| 16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. |
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| 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. |
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| 18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. |
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| 19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. |
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| 20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. |
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| 21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. |
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| 22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. |
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| 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! |
Spoken In due season – Perhaps a word of counsel, a word of reproof, or a word of instruction. R4663:2
As by the leader of a testimony meeting, offering encouragement or counsel in response to testimonies presented. F322
You can do ten times as much with a good word at the right time as you can with the right word at the wrong time. Q615:T
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| 24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. |
Is above – Upward, toward righteousness. E367
That he may depart – May be delivered by resurrection power. E367
From hell beneath – From sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E367
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| 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. |
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| 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. |
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| 27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. |
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| 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. |
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| 29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. |
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| 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. |
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| 31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. |
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| 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. |
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| 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. |
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