2 shall eat - that is, obtain (Pro 12:14). transgressors - as in Pro 2:22. violence - or, "mischief" to themselves.
3 He ... mouth ... life - because evil speeches may provoke violence from others. he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction - On last clause, compare Pro 10:14.
4 (Compare Pro 12:11, Pro 12:27).
5 loathsome ... shame - better, causeth shame and reproach (compare Pro 19:26), by slander, etc., which the righteous hates.
6 A sentiment of frequent recurrence, that piety benefits and sin injures.
7 In opposite ways men act hypocritically for gain of honor or wealth.
8 Riches save some from punishment, while others suffer because they will not heed the rebuke of sloth, which makes and keeps them poor.
9 light ... lamp - prosperity; the first, the greater, and it rejoiceth - burns brightly, or continues, while the other, at best small, soon fails.
10 The obstinacy which attends self-conceit, produces contention, which the well-advised, thus evincing modesty, avoid.
11 by vanity - or, "nothingness," that is, which is vain or useless to the public (as card playing or similar vices). gathereth ... labour - (Compare Margin), little by little, laboriously.
12 desire cometh - is realized. a tree of life - or, "cause of happiness."
13 the word - that is, of advice, or, instruction (compare Pro 10:27; Pro 11:31).
14 (Compare Pro 10:11). fountain - or, "source of life." to depart - (compare Pro 1:2-4), or, "for departing," etc., and so gives life.
15 Right perception and action secure good will, while evil ways are difficult as a stony road. The wicked left of God find punishment of sin in sinning. hard - or, "harsh" (compare Hebrew:Deu 21:4; Jer 5:15).
16 dealeth - acts with foresight. a fool ... folly - for want of caution.
17 A wicked - or, "unfaithful" messenger falleth into mischief - or, "by mischief," or "evil," and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others.
18 (Compare Pro 10:17; Pro 12:1).
19 Self-denial, which fools will not endure, is essential to success.
20 The benefits of good and evil of bad society are contrasted.
21 (Compare Pro 11:31). good ... repaid - or, "He (God) will repay good."
22 wealth ... just - While good men's estates remain in their families, God so orders that the gains of sinners inure to the just (compare Pro 28:8; Psa 37:18, Psa 37:22, Psa 37:26, etc.).
23 The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.
24 spareth - or, "withholds." rod - of correction. hateth - or, acts as if he hated him (compare Pro 3:12; Pro 8:36). chasteneth ... betimes - or, "diligently seeks for him all useful discipline."
25 The comparative temporal prosperity of the righteous and wicked, rather than contentment and discontent, is noted.
2 shall eat - that is, obtain (Pro 12:14).
transgressors - as in Pro 2:22.
violence - or, "mischief" to themselves.
3 He ... mouth ... life - because evil speeches may provoke violence from others.
he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction - On last clause, compare Pro 10:14.
4 (Compare Pro 12:11, Pro 12:27).
5 loathsome ... shame - better, causeth shame and reproach (compare Pro 19:26), by slander, etc., which the righteous hates.
6 A sentiment of frequent recurrence, that piety benefits and sin injures.
7 In opposite ways men act hypocritically for gain of honor or wealth.
8 Riches save some from punishment, while others suffer because they will not heed the rebuke of sloth, which makes and keeps them poor.
9 light ... lamp - prosperity; the first, the greater, and it
rejoiceth - burns brightly, or continues, while the other, at best small, soon fails.
10 The obstinacy which attends self-conceit, produces contention, which the well-advised, thus evincing modesty, avoid.
11 by vanity - or, "nothingness," that is, which is vain or useless to the public (as card playing or similar vices).
gathereth ... labour - (Compare Margin), little by little, laboriously.
12 desire cometh - is realized.
a tree of life - or, "cause of happiness."
13 the word - that is, of advice, or, instruction (compare Pro 10:27; Pro 11:31).
14 (Compare Pro 10:11).
fountain - or, "source of life."
to depart - (compare Pro 1:2-4), or, "for departing," etc., and so gives life.
15 Right perception and action secure good will, while evil ways are difficult as a stony road. The wicked left of God find punishment of sin in sinning.
hard - or, "harsh" (compare Hebrew: Deu 21:4; Jer 5:15).
16 dealeth - acts with foresight.
a fool ... folly - for want of caution.
17 A wicked - or, "unfaithful"
messenger falleth into mischief - or, "by mischief," or "evil," and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others.
18 (Compare Pro 10:17; Pro 12:1).
19 Self-denial, which fools will not endure, is essential to success.
20 The benefits of good and evil of bad society are contrasted.
21 (Compare Pro 11:31).
good ... repaid - or, "He (God) will repay good."
22 wealth ... just - While good men's estates remain in their families, God so orders that the gains of sinners inure to the just (compare Pro 28:8; Psa 37:18, Psa 37:22, Psa 37:26, etc.).
23 The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.
24 spareth - or, "withholds."
rod - of correction.
hateth - or, acts as if he hated him (compare Pro 3:12; Pro 8:36).
chasteneth ... betimes - or, "diligently seeks for him all useful discipline."
25 The comparative temporal prosperity of the righteous and wicked, rather than contentment and discontent, is noted.