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1 Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge;
But he that hateth reproof is brutish.
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2 A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah;
But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
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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.
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Shall not be moved – Because rooted and grounded in the principles of righteousness. R1520:2
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4 A worthy woman is the crown of her husband;
But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
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5 The thoughts of the righteous are just;
But the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
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Are right – They stray not into forbidden paths. R1520:2
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6 The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood;
But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
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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 Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant,
Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread.
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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 soul of his beast;
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
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Regardeth . . . beast – Extends his tender mercies also to the lower creation. R1520:5
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11 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread;
But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding.
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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 In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man;
But the righteous 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 doings of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
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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 is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
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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 vexation is presently known;
But a prudent man concealeth shame.
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17 He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness;
But a false witness, deceit.
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18 There is he that speaketh rashly 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 devise evil;
But to the counsellors of peace is joy.
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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 mischief happen to the righteous;
But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
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22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah;
But they that deal truly are his delight.
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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 put under taskwork.
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25 Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop;
But a good word maketh it glad.
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26 The righteous is a guide to his neighbor;
But the way of the wicked causeth them to err.
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27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting;
But the precious substance of men is to the diligent.
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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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