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| 1 [Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh,–whithersoever he will, he turneth it. |
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| 2 Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh. |
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| 3 To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh 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 ambition of heart–the lamp of the lawless, are sin. |
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| 5 The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want. |
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| 6 The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death. |
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| 7 The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away,–because they have refused to do justice. |
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| 8 Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing. |
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| 9 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common. |
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| 10 The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes. |
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| 11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. |
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| 12 The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless,–He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune. |
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| 13 He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered. |
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| 14 A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath. |
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| 15 It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity. |
But destruction – Contrary to the Universalist theory. R3083:3
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| 16 The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down. |
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 A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich. |
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| 18 A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor. |
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 desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking. |
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| 20 Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it. |
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| 21 He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour. |
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| 22 A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence. |
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| 23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, 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 A haughty insolent one–Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride. |
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| 25 The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work. |
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| 26 All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare. |
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| 27 The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in! |
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| 28 A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak. |
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| 29 A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways. |
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| 30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh. |
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| 31 The horse, is prepared for the day of battle, but, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory. |
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