| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. |
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| 2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. |
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| 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. |
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| 4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. |
A flowing brook – Drinking of water represents appropriation of the truth, namely wisdom. R2935:1
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| 5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. |
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| 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. |
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| 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. |
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| 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. |
Are as wounds – Harsh words leave a trace that kind words cannot quite efface. R5100:5*
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| 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. |
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| 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. |
And is safe – "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." (Psa. 55:3) R2038:6
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| 11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. |
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| 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. |
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| 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. |
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| 14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? |
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| 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. |
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| 16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. |
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| 17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. |
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| 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. |
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| 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. |
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| 20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. |
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| 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
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| 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. |
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| 23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. |
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| 24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. |
A friend – True friendship is a rare flower on our sin-cursed earth. R1907:3
"One there is above all others, well deserves the name of friend"--our Lord Jesus. R3233:1
Closer than a brother – There are two planes of friendship: a natural plane on which men of two like natural qualities would be drawn together; and a spiritual plane drawing still more closely those alike in spiritual hopes. R3233:4
True and lasting friendship can exist only between unselfish souls whose wills are fully submitted to the will of God. R1908:4
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