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1 The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses:
He turneth it whithersoever he will.
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2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes;
But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
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3 To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
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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 A high look, and a proud heart,
Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
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5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness;
But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
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6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
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7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away,
Because they refuse to do justice.
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8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
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9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
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10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil:
His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
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11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
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12 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked,
How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.
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13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
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14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger;
And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
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15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
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But destruction – Contrary to the Universalist theory. R3083:3
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16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
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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 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man:
He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
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18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous;
And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.
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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 It is better to dwell in a desert land,
Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
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20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
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21 He that followeth after righteousness and kindness
Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
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22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,
And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
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23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
Keepeth his soul from troubles.
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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 The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name;
He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
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25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him;
For his hands refuse to labor.
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26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long;
But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
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27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination:
How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
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28 A false witness shall perish;
But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.
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29 A wicked man hardeneth his face;
But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.
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30 There is no wisdom nor understanding
Nor counsel against Jehovah.
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31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle;
But the victory is of Jehovah. |
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