| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it. |
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| 2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts. |
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| 3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice. |
To do justice – To do that which is right, just, equitable R5430:3
The foundation of all Christian character. Only those who have this foundation well laid can make proper progress. R5430:6
Justice comes first; mercy and benevolence afterwards. R5431:5
Building thereupon all the various qualities of love. R5431:6
And judgment – The essence and substance of the Golden Rule--love for our neighbor as for ourselves. R5430:3
The Law demanded full allegiance to God. R5430:2
To render righteous decisions in the mind; to decide justly. R5430:3
The decisions of our minds, as well as our actions, should be in harmony with the principles of righteousness. R5430:3
We are not to judge motives of others; we may judge outward actions as wrong, but not the heart. R5430:3
We are not to judge another without indubitable proof. R5430:3
Is more acceptable – Even though we sacrifice some of our time for the Lord's work, we shall not be pleasing to God if we do not keep his requirements of justice towards others. R5631:4
Than sacrifice – Some in Israel seemed to feel that they could be unjust, and then offer a sacrifice and make it all right. R5430:2
Some grasp the thought that there is a privilege of sacrifice in the present time, but fail to note that the Lord has given some commands that must first be considered. R5431:4
One must exhibit the true spirit of obedience, the earnest endeavor to be in harmony with the law of God; before consecration to sacrifice is in order. R5431:4
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| 4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin. |
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| 5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want. |
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| 6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death. |
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| 7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment. |
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| 8 Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure upright [is] his work. |
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| 9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company. |
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| 10 The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour. |
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| 11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge. |
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| 12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness. |
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| 13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered. |
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| 14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury. |
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| 15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity. |
But destruction – Contrary to the Universalist theory. R3083:3
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| 16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth. |
Out of the way – After he has been once enlightened. Q593:2; R3725:4*
Congregation of the dead – Some few of the consecrated, who leave the "way of understanding," who draw back and wilfully reject the Lord, will remain in death--the Second Death. Q593:2
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| 17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth. |
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| 18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer. |
A ransom – Kopher, a covering, a protection. The laws made for the people in general are a covering for the Lord's saints. R5972:1
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| 19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger. |
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| 20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up. |
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| 21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour. |
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| 22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence. |
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| 23 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul. |
Keepeth his mouth – Victory will not be for us except as our hearts are allowed to dominate our tongues. R4381:6
The heart and the mouth are under special scrutiny. The former represents the individual character and the latter, an index of the character. R1937:1
And his tongue – While each should be on guard against communications that would be injurious, he should also be on guard against allowing sparks to ignite in his own heart. R4381:4
Soul from troubles – In the Church the power of the tongue may set on fire the course of the new nature, a fire which may burn into the Second Death, and may spread to others with similar effect. R4381:4
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| 24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride. |
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| 25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work. |
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| 26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not. |
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| 27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it. |
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| 28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh. |
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| 29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright he prepareth his way. |
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| 30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah. |
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| 31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah! |
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