| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger. |
A soft answer – A kind and gentle answer may be helpful; turn away anger. R4009:4
Not only as good policy, but as the fruitage of the holy Spirit. R2325:4
The harder the truth, the more softly it should be spoken. R2325:4
This advice is nowhere more needed than in most home circles. R2325:5
Any other answer is incompatible with the spirit of love. R2325:4
Turneth away wrath – Neglect of this command is the cause of a large proportion of domestic infelicity. R2241:3
Grievous words – Strifeful, cutting, sarcastic words. R4009:4
Stir up anger – Stirring up difficulties which will become agents of retributive justice. R4805:3, R1938:3
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| 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of the foolish poureth out folly.
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| 3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. |
Eyes of the LORD – The intelligence of Jehovah. R5209:3
The Lord's influence, his power of knowing, whatever the means; not that God beholds every act of every person. R5634:2
In every place – The nearest suggestion of God's omnipresence contained in the Scriptures. R5209:3
Every man has a present responsibility according to the measure of light enjoyed, whether it be light of nature or of revelation. A145
So we should let our children feel that our eye and God's is ever upon them, just as we feel that God's eye is upon us. R1097:5*
Beholding – Supervising all things. R1778:6
Evil and the good – "God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil." (Eccl. 12:14) R722:2, R1653:3, R2612:6; A145
God's knowledge of all conditions is not out of harmony with the fact that he permits things which he disapproves. R5209:6
Since the Lord's beholding of evil and good is unquestioned; since his ability to interfere is undoubtedly true; and that he has not yet interfered is manifest; then it is proper to say that God is permitting sin. R1778:6, R1270:3
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| 4 Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit. |
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| 5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction; but he that regardeth reproof becometh prudent. |
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| 6 In the house of a righteous man is much treasure; but in the revenue of a wicked man is disturbance. |
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| 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but not so the heart of the foolish. |
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| 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; but the prayer of the upright is his delight. |
His delight – Since we were created for the divine pleasure (Rev. 4:11), being responsive to God's goodness institutes a lively and delightful fellowship with him. R2031:3
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| 9 The way of a wicked man is an abomination to Jehovah; but him that pursueth righteousness he loveth. |
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| 10 Grievous correction is for him that forsaketh the path; he that hateth reproof shall die. |
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| 11 Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah; how much more then the hearts of the children of men! |
Hell – Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. R2599:4; E367
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| 12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him; he will not go unto the wise. |
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| 13 A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. |
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| 14 The heart of an intelligent man seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of the foolish feedeth on folly. |
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| 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil; but a cheerful heart is a continual feast. |
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| 16 Better is little with the fear of Jehovah than great store and disquietude therewith. |
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| 17 Better is a meal of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred therewith. |
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| 18 A furious man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. |
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| 19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; but the path of the upright is made plain. |
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| 20 A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish man despiseth his mother. |
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| 21 Folly is joy to him that is void of sense; but a man of understanding regulateth his walk. |
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| 22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. |
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| 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word in its season, how good is it! |
Spoken In due season – Perhaps a word of counsel, a word of reproof, or a word of instruction. R4663:2
As by the leader of a testimony meeting, offering encouragement or counsel in response to testimonies presented. F322
You can do ten times as much with a good word at the right time as you can with the right word at the wrong time. Q615:T
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| 24 The path of life is upwards for the wise, that he may depart from Sheol beneath. |
Is above – Upward, toward righteousness. E367
That he may depart – May be delivered by resurrection power. E367
From hell beneath – From sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E367
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| 25 Jehovah plucketh up the house of the proud; but he establisheth the boundary of the widow. |
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| 26 The thoughts of the evil man are an abomination to Jehovah; but pure words are pleasant. |
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| 27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. |
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| 28 The heart of a righteous man studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. |
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| 29 Jehovah is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. |
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| 30 That which enlighteneth the eyes rejoiceth the heart; good tidings make the bones fat. |
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| 31 The ear that heareth the reproof of life shall abide among the wise. |
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| 32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof getteth sense. |
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| 33 The fear of Jehovah is the discipline of wisdom, and before honour goeth humility. |
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