| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. |
There are also – Chapters 25 to 29 were collected and added later by King Hezekiah. R1518:2
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| 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. |
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| 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. |
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| 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. |
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| 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. |
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| 6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: |
Put not forth thyself – Ambition is a necessary faculty of the human mind, but a very dangerous element as respects the formation of Christian character. R3832:2
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| 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. |
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| 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. |
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| 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
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| 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. |
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| 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. |
A word fitly spoken – What a power the tongue has for good. OV208:4
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| 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. |
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| 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. |
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| 14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. |
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| 15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. |
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| 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. |
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| 17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. |
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| 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. |
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| 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. |
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| 20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. |
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| 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: |
If thine enemy – Although, if destitute, we should feed them; yet so long as they are the adversaries of the Lord's cause, they are our adversaries, and we are theirs. R1861:4
Give him bread – If love so broad and comprehensive was obligatory upon natural Israel, to what degree should spiritual Israel possess and manifest this noble quality? R5643:6
Not to see how badly you can make him feel, but because love is the principle of your nature. R2214:6
Illustrated by Elisha's feast to the Syrians who came to take him captive. (2 Kings 6:22, 23) R3441:5
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| 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. |
Fire upon his head – Make him ashamed of his conduct in contrast with yours. R3830:3
Many a man, like Nero, when awakened, will be greatly humiliated by the generous forgiveness of formerly injured fellow-men. R1655:1
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| 23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. |
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| 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. |
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| 25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. |
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| 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. |
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| 27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. |
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| 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. |
No rule – A will-less man is a good-for-naught. OV196:T
A lawless disposition, the spirit of anarchy. R5487:6
Indecision and lack of character in little things (irregularity in arising and indecision as to proper foods) affect all the greater things of life. R5653:4
"A wise man sometimes changes his mind; a fool, never." Ruling our own spirit does not mean that we are to go to extremes. R5653:4
One who yields to sin and various weaknesses and assaults of the Adversary has lost his real manhood. R4789:6
If we rule our mind and our thoughts we shall rule our tongue. R5488:2
His own spirit – The impulses of one's native mind, disposition. R5488:1,5, R5652:6
In creating man God gave him a will; but it needs to be defended and kept in repair. R4789:3
The will is to be continually on guard over the mind, to allow nothing to enter except through the regular gates of conscience and judgment. R5653:1
A city – One's will; the will governs the mind and conduct. R5488:5, R5489:1
Whether our wills are strong or weak, they need direction. R5487:3
In olden times cities were particularly places of refuge and had strong walls. R5487:3
Broken down – Not from visible forces alone, but by evil spirits subduing and breaking down the will. R4789:6
Even failures, subsequently recognized, lead to greater fortification of the will. R4790:4
Without walls – Open to attack. R5487:3
Would invite attack and be certain to meet disaster sometime, as would a broken-down human will. R5653:1
No will, no self-control. R4789:3, R5653:1
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