| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. |
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| 2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. |
A good man – Let each ask himself, Are the purposes of my heart all pure and upright? R1520:2
Obtaineth favour – A constant sense of the Lord's favor. R1520:2
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| 3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. |
Shall not be moved – Because rooted and grounded in the principles of righteousness. R1520:2
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| 4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. |
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| 5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. |
Are right – They stray not into forbidden paths. R1520:2
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| 6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. |
Words of the wicked – Perverse doctrines to overthrow the faith of the righteous. R1520:2
Mouth of the upright – Ever ready to defend the righteous against the snares of the wicked. R1520:2
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| 7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. |
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| 8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. |
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| 9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. |
And hath a servant – Laboreth for himself. R1520:5
Honoureth himself – Aimeth after honor. R1520:5
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| 10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. |
Regardeth . . . beast – Extends his tender mercies also to the lower creation. R1520:5
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| 11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. |
Tilleth his land – The true child of God is no idler or visionary dreamer. R1520:5
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| 12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. |
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| 13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. |
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| 14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. |
The recompence – Every act will meet its just deserts in due time. R1520:5
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| 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. |
In his own eyes – Whoever succeeds in justifying himself in a wrong course finds the downward path easy and retracing his steps almost impossible. R1520:5
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| 16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. |
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| 17 He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. |
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| 18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. |
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| 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. |
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| 20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. |
Of peace – "God has called us to peace." (1 Cor. 7:15) R2946:3
Is joy – "He that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men." (Rom. 14:18) R2947:4
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| 21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. |
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| 22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. |
Lying lips – Hypocrisy is deceit in action and to deceive another is lying in one of its most unworthy forms. R4318:6
That deal truly – The principle of truth is honesty--in our words, conduct and thoughts. R4318:5
If we must charge Jacob in securing the birthright with lying lips we can at least credit him with honesty of heart. He lied to secure justice, and because his faith was not strong enough to trust the Lord implicitly. R3955:5
We should have even more faith: that the Lord will deal truly, to give us the blessings he has promised. R3955:6
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| 23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. |
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| 24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. |
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| 25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. |
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| 26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. |
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| 27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. |
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| 28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. |
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