1 (Compare Margin). The Hebrews used stones for weights. just - complete in measure.
2 Self-conceit is unteachable; the humble grow wise (compare Pro 16:18; Pro 18:12).
3 guide - to lead, as a shepherd (Pro 6:7; Psa 78:52). perverseness - ill-nature. destroy - with violence.
4 (Compare Pro 10:2). wrath - that is, of God.
5 direct - or, "make plain"; wicked ways are not plain (Pro 13:17).
6 deliver them - that is, from evil, which the wicked suffer by their own doings (Pro 5:22; Psa 9:16).
7 expectation ... perish - for death cuts short all his plans (Luk 16:25). hope of unjust - better, "hope of wealth," or "power" (compare Isa 40:29, Hebrew). This gives an advance on the sentiment of the first clause. Even hopes of gain die with him.
8 Perhaps the trouble prepared by the wicked, and which he inherits (compare Pro 11:6).
9 (Compare Psa 35:16; Dan 11:32). The just is saved by superior discernment.
10 The last may be a reason for the first. Together, they set forth the relative moral worth of good and bad men.
11 By the blessing - implying active benevolence.
12 despiseth - or, "reviles," a course contrasted with the prudent silence of the wise. holdeth his peace - as if neither hearing nor telling.
13 tale-bearer - (Compare Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence.
14 counsel - the art of governing (Pro 1:5). counsellors - literally, "one giving counsel"; the participle used as a collective.
15 (Compare Pro 6:1). suretiship - (Compare Margin), the actors put for the action, which may be lawfully hated.
16 retaineth - or literally, "lay hold of as a support." Honor is to a feeble woman thus as valuable as riches to men.
17 merciful - kind to others; opposed to cruel. Such benefit themselves by doing good to others (compare Pro 24:5), while the cruel injure themselves as well as others. flesh - that is, his body, by penuriousness (Col 2:23).
18 a deceitful work - or, "wages," which fail to satisfy, or flee away (Pro 10:2; Pro 23:5). sure reward - or, "gain," as from trading (Hos 10:12; Gal 6:8, Gal 6:9).
19 Inference from Pro 11:18 (compare Pro 11:5, Pro 11:6; Pro 10:16).
20 (Compare Pro 11:5). froward - as in Pro 2:15, opposed to the simplicity and purity of the upright. in their way - or, "conduct."
21 The combined power of the wicked cannot free them from just punishment, while the unaided children of the righteous find deliverance by reason of their pious relationship (Psa 37:25, Psa 37:26).
22 Jewels were often suspended from the nose (Gen 24:47; Isa 3:21). Thus adorned, a hog disgusts less than a fair and indiscreet woman.
23 (Compare Pro 10:28). wrath - is that of God.
24 The scope of the whole is a comment on Pro 11:23. Thus liberality, by God's blessing, secures increase, while penuriousness, instead of expected gain, procures poverty.
25 liberal soul - (Compare Margin). made fat - prospers (Pro 28:25; Deu 32:15; Luk 6:38). watereth ... watered - a common figure for blessing.
26 Another example of the truth of Pro 11:23; the miser loses reputation, though he saves corn. selleth it - that is, at a fair price.
27 good [and] mischief - that is, of others. procureth ... seeketh - implying success.
28 (Compare Pro 10:15; Psa 49:6; 1Ti 6:17). righteous ... branch - (Psa 1:3; Jer 17:8).
29 troubleth - as Pro 15:27 explains, by greediness for gain (compare Pro 11:17). inherit ... wind - Even successful, his gains are of no real value. So the fool, thus acting, either comes to poverty, or heaps up for others.
30 a tree of life - Blessings to others proceed from the works of the righteous (Pro 3:18). winneth souls - (Compare Margin) to do them good as opposed to Pro 6:25; Eze 13:18 (compare Luk 5:10).
31 Behold - Thus calling attention to the illustrations (compare Pro 11:23), the sentiment of which is confirmed even in time, not excluding future rewards and punishments.
just - complete in measure.
2 Self-conceit is unteachable; the humble grow wise (compare Pro 16:18; Pro 18:12).
3 guide - to lead, as a shepherd (Pro 6:7; Psa 78:52).
perverseness - ill-nature.
destroy - with violence.
4 (Compare Pro 10:2).
wrath - that is, of God.
5 direct - or, "make plain"; wicked ways are not plain (Pro 13:17).
6 deliver them - that is, from evil, which the wicked suffer by their own doings (Pro 5:22; Psa 9:16).
7 expectation ... perish - for death cuts short all his plans (Luk 16:25).
hope of unjust - better, "hope of wealth," or "power" (compare Isa 40:29, Hebrew). This gives an advance on the sentiment of the first clause. Even hopes of gain die with him.
8 Perhaps the trouble prepared by the wicked, and which he inherits (compare Pro 11:6).
9 (Compare Psa 35:16; Dan 11:32). The just is saved by superior discernment.
10 The last may be a reason for the first. Together, they set forth the relative moral worth of good and bad men.
11 By the blessing - implying active benevolence.
12 despiseth - or, "reviles," a course contrasted with the prudent silence of the wise.
holdeth his peace - as if neither hearing nor telling.
13 tale-bearer - (Compare Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence.
14 counsel - the art of governing (Pro 1:5).
counsellors - literally, "one giving counsel"; the participle used as a collective.
15 (Compare Pro 6:1).
suretiship - (Compare Margin), the actors put for the action, which may be lawfully hated.
16 retaineth - or literally, "lay hold of as a support." Honor is to a feeble woman thus as valuable as riches to men.
17 merciful - kind to others; opposed to cruel. Such benefit themselves by doing good to others (compare Pro 24:5), while the cruel injure themselves as well as others.
flesh - that is, his body, by penuriousness (Col 2:23).
18 a deceitful work - or, "wages," which fail to satisfy, or flee away (Pro 10:2; Pro 23:5).
sure reward - or, "gain," as from trading (Hos 10:12; Gal 6:8, Gal 6:9).
19 Inference from Pro 11:18 (compare Pro 11:5, Pro 11:6; Pro 10:16).
20 (Compare Pro 11:5).
froward - as in Pro 2:15, opposed to the simplicity and purity of the upright.
in their way - or, "conduct."
21 The combined power of the wicked cannot free them from just punishment, while the unaided children of the righteous find deliverance by reason of their pious relationship (Psa 37:25, Psa 37:26).
22 Jewels were often suspended from the nose (Gen 24:47; Isa 3:21). Thus adorned, a hog disgusts less than a fair and indiscreet woman.
23 (Compare Pro 10:28).
wrath - is that of God.
24 The scope of the whole is a comment on Pro 11:23. Thus liberality, by God's blessing, secures increase, while penuriousness, instead of expected gain, procures poverty.
25 liberal soul - (Compare Margin).
made fat - prospers (Pro 28:25; Deu 32:15; Luk 6:38).
watereth ... watered - a common figure for blessing.
26 Another example of the truth of Pro 11:23; the miser loses reputation, though he saves corn.
selleth it - that is, at a fair price.
27 good [and] mischief - that is, of others.
procureth ... seeketh - implying success.
28 (Compare Pro 10:15; Psa 49:6; 1Ti 6:17).
righteous ... branch - (Psa 1:3; Jer 17:8).
29 troubleth - as Pro 15:27 explains, by greediness for gain (compare Pro 11:17).
inherit ... wind - Even successful, his gains are of no real value. So the fool, thus acting, either comes to poverty, or heaps up for others.
30 a tree of life - Blessings to others proceed from the works of the righteous (Pro 3:18).
winneth souls - (Compare Margin) to do them good as opposed to Pro 6:25; Eze 13:18 (compare Luk 5:10).
31 Behold - Thus calling attention to the illustrations (compare Pro 11:23), the sentiment of which is confirmed even in time, not excluding future rewards and punishments.