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Expanded Comments |
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1 A soft answer turneth away wrath;
But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
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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 uttereth knowledge aright;
But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
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3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,
Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.
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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 gentle tongue is a tree of life;
But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
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5 A fool despiseth his father’s correction;
But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
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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 Jehovah;
But the prayer of the upright is his delight.
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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 to Jehovah;
But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
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10 There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way;
And he that hateth reproof shall die.
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11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah:
How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
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Hell – Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. R2599:4; E367
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12 A scoffer loveth not to be reproved;
He will not go unto the wise.
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13 A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance;
But by sorrow of 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 folly.
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15 All the days of the afflicted are evil;
But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast.
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16 Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah,
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 contention;
But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
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19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns;
But the path of the upright is made a highway.
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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 void of wisdom;
But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
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22 Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed;
But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
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23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth;
And a word in due season, how good is it!
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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 To the wise the way of life goeth upward,
That he may depart from Sheol beneath.
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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 Jehovah will root up the house of the proud;
But he will establish the border of the widow.
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26 Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah;
But pleasant words are pure.
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27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house;
But he that hateth bribes 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 Jehovah 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 good tidings make the bones fat.
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31 The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life
Shall abide among the wise.
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32 He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul;
But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
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33 The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom;
And before honor goeth humility. |
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