1 preparations - schemes.
in man - or literally, "to man," belonging, or pertaining to him.
the answer ... Lord - The efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."

2 clean - or, "faultless."
weigheth - or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Pro 21:2; Pro 24:12).

3 (Compare Margin). Rely on God for success to your lawful purposes.

4 for himself - "for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Psa 49:5; Jer 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.

5 (Compare Pro 3:32).

6 By mercy and truth - that is, God's (Psa 85:10); He effects the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth" may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work instrumentally in procuring pardon.
purged - expiated (as in Lev 16:33; Isa 27:9, Hebrew).

7 Persecutions, of course, excepted.

8 (Compare Pro 15:6, Pro 15:16, Pro 15:17).

9 (Compare Pro 16:3).
directeth - establisheth.

10 The last clause depends on the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so authoritative.

11 are the Lord's ... his work - that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed by men.

12 Rulers are rightly expected, by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by righteousness.

13 A specification of the general sentiment of Pro 16:12.

14 This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (1Ki 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.

15 light of ... countenance - favor (Psa 4:6).
life - preserves it, or gives blessings which make it valuable.
the latter rain - fell just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable (Deu 11:14).

16 (Compare Pro 3:16; Pro 4:5).

17 The highway - A common, plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in departing from evil.
keepeth - observes.

18 (Compare Pro 15:33). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence
a fall - literally, "sliding."

19 divide the spoil - that is, conquer. Avoid the society of the proud (Jam 4:6).

20 handleth a matter - wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare Pro 13:13).
trusteth - (Compare Psa 2:12; Psa 118:8, Psa 118:9).

21 wise in heart - who rightly consider duty.
sweetness of the lips - eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.

22 Understanding - or, "discretion," is a constant source of blessing (Pro 13:14), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.

23 The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.

24 (Compare Pro 15:26). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body health.

25 (Compare Pro 14:2).

26 Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.

27 ungodly man - (Compare Pro 6:12).
diggeth up evil - labors for it.
in his lips ... fire - His words are calumniating (Jam 3:6).

28 (Compare Pro 6:14; Pro 10:31).
whisperer - prater, talebearer (Pro 18:8; Pro 26:20).

29 violent man - or, "man of mischief" (Pro 3:31).
enticeth - (Pro 1:10).

30 He shutteth his eyes - denoting deep thought (Psa 64:6).
moving his lips - or, "biting his lips" - a determined purpose (Pro 6:13).

31 (Compare Pro 20:29).
if - or, which may be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in Pro 3:16; Pro 4:10, that piety is blessed with long life.

32 (Compare Pro 14:29).
taketh a city - that is, by fighting.

33 Seemingly the most fortuitous events are ordered by God.