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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 A soft answer, turneth away wrath, but a cutting word raiseth 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, adorneth knowledge,–but, the mouth of dullards, belcheth out folly. |
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| 3 In every place, are the eyes of Yahweh, observing 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 Gentleness of the tongue, is a tree of life, but, crookedness therein, a grievous wound in the spirit. |
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| 5 A foolish [son], spurneth the correction of his father, but, he that heedeth a reproof, sheweth prudence. |
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| 6 The household of the righteous man, is a great treasure, but, in the increase of the lawless, is disturbance. |
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| 7 The lips of the wise, scatter abroad knowledge, but, the heart of dullards, is not right. |
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| 8 The sacrifice of lawless men, is an abomination to Yahweh, 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 An abomination to Yahweh, is the way of the lawless, but, the pursuer of righteousness, he loveth. |
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| 10 There is, grievous correction, for him that forsaketh the right path, He that hateth rebuke, shall die. |
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| 11 Hades and destruction, are before Yahweh, how much more then, the hearts of the sons of men. |
Hell – Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. R2599:4; E367
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| 12 A scoffer, loveth not, one who reproveth him, unto the wise, doth he not go. |
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| 13 A joyful heart, maketh a pleasing countenance,–but, in sorrow of heart, is a stricken spirit. |
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| 14 The heart of the intelligent, seeketh knowledge, but, the mouth of dullards, feedeth on folly. |
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| 15 All the days of the afflicted, are sorrowful, but, a cheerful heart, is a continual banquet. |
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| 16 Better is a little, with the reverence of Yahweh, than great treasure, and disquietude therewith. |
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| 17 Better is an allowance of herbs, and love, there, than a fatted ox, and hatred therewith. |
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| 18 A wrathful man, stirreth up strife, but, he that is slow to anger, calmeth contention. |
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| 19 The way of the sluggard, is like a thorn hedge, but, the path of the upright, is a raised road. |
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| 20 A wise son, maketh a glad father,–but, a dullard, despiseth his own mother. |
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| 21 Folly, is joy to him that lacketh sense,–but, a man of understanding, taketh a straight course. |
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| 22 Plans, are frustrated, for lack of consultation, but, by the multitude of counselors, shall counsel, be established. |
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| 23 A man hath joy, in the answer of his own mouth, and, a word in its season,–how good! |
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 upwards to the prudent, that he may depart from hades 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 house of proud men, will Yahweh tear down, but he will maintain the boundary of the widow. |
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| 26 An abomination to Yahweh, are the plottings of the wicked, but, with the pure, are sayings of sweetness. |
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| 27 He, troubleth his own house, who graspeth with greed, 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 lawless, belcheth out mischiefs. |
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| 29 Far off is Yahweh, from the lawless, but, the prayer of the righteous, will he hear. |
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| 30 The sparkling of bright eyes, rejoiceth the heart, Good news, giveth marrow to the bones. |
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| 31 The ear that heareth the reproof which giveth life, in the midst of the wise, shall remain. |
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| 32 He that declineth correction, despiseth his own soul, but, he that heareth reproof, gaineth sense. |
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| 33 The reverence of Yahweh, is the correction of wisdom, and, before honour, is humility. |
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