| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 A name is chosen rather than much wealth, Than silver and than gold good grace. |
|
| 2 Rich and poor have met together, The Maker of them all [is] Jehovah. |
|
| 3 The prudent hath seen the evil, and is hidden, And the simple have passed on, and are punished. |
Prudent man – Two classes may expect divine protection in the coming trouble: (1) children of the consecrated under the age of discretion; and (2) some consecrating themselves to God during the trouble. R2020:6
We are not to expect miraculous help except where necessary. We are to watch and pray, look ahead and use our best judgment, trusting in and looking for the Lord's providential guidance. R2021:2
Foreseeth the evil – The great time of trouble. R5571:3, R2021:2, R2019:3*
Profit by the experience of others, either through instruction or observation. R2073:3
The time of trouble is of two kinds: (1) troubles and siftings upon the Church which none of God's sons will escape; and (2) the wrecking of present institutions which true children of God "may be accounted worthy to escape." (Luke 21:36) R2020:5
Character preparation is the best heritage a parent can leave a child: (1) the Golden Rule of justice; (2) mercy, the spirit of helpfulness; (3) meekness, gentleness, etc.; (4) economy in everything. R5571:3
We recommend that none be urged (in order to escape the great time of trouble) unduly to make a full consecration to the Lord, lest such profession be mere hypocrisy. R5571:6
And hideth himself – By surrounding himself and his family with the best conditions for development in the Christian graces, for rendering service to the Lord, his people and his truth. R2021:4
Instead of seeking a place of safety, seek the condition of safety described in Zeph. 2:3 under divine providence. R2021:1
In time of trouble keep a good stock of fuel on hand and a little reserve of staple food. R5854:5
Do not be afraid of having too much commodities. Think of them as provision for any in need who may come to you. Do not sound a trumpet about such provisions. At most, suggest that your friends do likewise. R5572:4
Punished – Severe experiences, punishment for lack of observing the natural laws of cause and effect. R2073:3
|
| 4 The end of humility [is] the fear of Jehovah, Riches, and honour, and life. |
|
| 5 Thorns snares [are] in the way of the perverse, Whoso is keeping his soul is far from them. |
|
| 6 Give instruction to a youth about his way, Even when he is old he turneth not from it. |
Train up a child – Chiefly by the establishment of right principles in the heart. F528
In the reverence and admonition of the Lord. OV217:3
Discipline and obedience should be insisted upon with firmness and kindness from the day of birth. R3711:5
"The that seek me early shall find me." (Prov. 8:17) R3711:5
It will have more influence than most people seem to realize. Q544:2
The mind of the mother, during the period of gestation, is stamping and impressing, favorably or unfavorably, the character of her child. R5700:6, R2902:2; F520
Rule yourself before attempting to rule your child. R1098:2*, R1097:1*
Good men and loyal to the Lord may be poor fathers, careless of their responsibilities to their children. Alas that it is so to this day. R3598:2
The care and instruction of children is a paramount obligation resting upon every parent. R4522:3, R5700:5
The science of child-raising in a nutshell: (1) When you consent, consent fully; (2) When you refuse, refuse fully (3) Often comment; (4) Never scold; (5; Beware of making an issue with your child, but when the issue is forced, carry it out. R1098:2*
Since ours is a difficult day in which to raise children it should lead one more earnestly to seek wisdom from on high properly to discharge his duty toward his child. R3711:6
We urge the daily use of the Heavenly Manna, beginning every day with praise and prayer; and the children should be Scripturally instructed every Sunday. R4522:4
In the way – It is a mistake to suppose that children cannot appreciate religious principles. R2903:2
He should go – Conscientious, just, loyal to God and the principles of righteousness. R5700:5
When he is old – Consider children a little garden spot. Plant the seeds of the fruits of the spirit and reap a rich reward in the graces of character--especially if the children have been consecrated from infancy or before birth. R2903:2
He will not depart – The impression of the principles of righteousness cannot be wholly effaced even though the child might temporarily try forbidden paths. R3598:2
The principal reason so many do depart is that they are not properly trained in the way they should go. Q54:4
|
| 7 The rich over the poor ruleth, And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender. |
|
| 8 Whoso is sowing perverseness reapeth sorrow, And the rod of his anger weareth out. |
Shall reap vanity – A principle of divine law applicable to all men. (Gal. 6:7) R1653:3
|
| 9 The good of eye he is blessed, For he hath given of his bread to the poor. |
|
| 10 Cast out a scorner and contention goeth out, And strife and shame cease. |
|
| 11 Whoso is loving cleanness of heart, Grace [are] his lips, a king [is] his friend. |
|
| 12 The eyes of Jehovah have kept knowledge, And He overthroweth the words of the treacherous. |
|
| 13 The slothful hath said, 'A lion [is] without, In the midst of the broad places I am slain.' |
|
| 14 A deep pit [is] the mouth of strange women, The abhorred of Jehovah falleth there. |
|
| 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a youth, The rod of chastisement putteth it far from him. |
|
| 16 He is oppressing the poor to multiply to him, He is giving to the rich only to want. |
|
| 17 Incline thine ear, and hear words of the wise, And thy heart set to my knowledge, |
|
| 18 For they are pleasant when thou dost keep them in thy heart, They are prepared together for thy lips. |
|
| 19 That thy trust may be in Jehovah, I caused thee to know to-day, even thou. |
|
| 20 Have I not written to thee three times With counsels and knowledge |
|
| 21 To cause thee to know the certainty of sayings of truth, To return sayings of truth to those sending thee. |
|
| 22 Rob not the poor because he [is] poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate. |
|
| 23 For Jehovah pleadeth their cause, And hath spoiled the soul of their spoilers. |
|
| 24 Shew not thyself friendly with an angry man, And with a man of fury go not in, |
|
| 25 Lest thou learn his paths, And have received a snare to thy soul. |
|
| 26 Be not thou among those striking hands, Among sureties [for] burdens. |
Sureties for debts – By endorsing notes or going on bonds. F568
|
| 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, Why doth he take thy bed from under thee |
|
| 28 Remove not a border of olden times, That thy fathers have made. |
|
| 29 Hast thou seen a man speedy in his business Before kings he doth station himself, He stations not himself before obscure men! |
|