*H My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee.
Ver. 1. Thee. The just may offend: but the wicked relapse continually.
*H Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee.
Ver. 2. Hold. Gr. "bite," (C.) in the same sense. M. — Serpents sting in secret: so all sins inveigle the soul. W.
*H The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men.
Ver. 3. Lion. Yet only those are hurt, who consent to sin. The devil may go round about, (1 Pet. v. 8.) and tempt; (C.) he cannot bite, except a man willingly expose himself, and come near. v. 2.
*H All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof.
Ver. 4. Remedy. In man. H. — Only the sovereign physician can cure it. C.
*H Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out.
Ver. 5. Riches. As they make enemies arise. Gr. subjoins, "so the house of the proud shall be made desolate." H. — Roboam lost ten tribes by an insolent answer, and the Tarquins were expelled for their pride.
*H The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.
Ver. 6. Speedily. God is the protector of the poor. Ps. x. 5.
*H He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.
Ver. 7. Sinner. He rejects all medicines. How shall he be cured? C. — They who fear God, will examine their actions when they are warned. W.
*H He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him.
Ver. 8. By him. And to avoid his reproaches. Gr. "knoweth when he is ruined." H. — He is more reserved, and escapes the dangers of talkativeness.
*H He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.
Ver. 9. Winter. This season is unfit for building; so the man who borrows, may be forced to pay again (C.) before it is convenient for him. H. — Injustice will bring on ruin. Jer. xxiii. 13. Some Gr. copies have, "stones for a heap over his tomb," as Achan and Absalom were treated. Reputation, or goods ill-acquired, will not continue long. W.
*H The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire.
Ver. 10. Fire. All their grandeur will end in smoke. H. — Mal. iv. 1. Matt. xiii. 30.
*H The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains.
Ver. 11. Stones. It is broad and easy. Matt. vii.
*H He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof.
Ver. 12. Thereof. Practice makes perfect. A painter may produce a better piece by this means, than one who is more acquainted with theory, (C.) and neglects it. H.
*H But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no understanding where there is bitterness.
Ver. 15. Bitterness. True wisdom promotes the general good.
*H The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life.
Ver. 16. Of life. Which never fails. Jo. iv. 14. and vii. 38.
*H The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts.
Ver. 20. Church. Or assembly. Job xxix. 11. 21. C. — All good people dislike senseless talk, and approve of what is edifying. W.
*H As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense.
Ver. 21. Fool. All is in confusion, like a heap of ruins.
*H Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.
Ver. 22. Hand. He esteems instruction burdensome.
*H A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself.
Ver. 23. Low. A smiling countenance is commendable, but loud laughter is to be avoided. Clem. Pæd. ii. 5. — It causes too great a change, (Plato, Rep. 3.) and is a mark of folly. Eccle. vii. 5. S. Aug. c. Acad. ii. 2.
*H The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.
Ver. 25. House. And meddles with the concerns of others. C. — Of the mighty, is not in Gr. The wise will not easily receive invitations. H.
*H A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that is well taught will stand without.
Ver. 26. Window. Gr. "door" with impudence. C.
*H The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men is in their heart.
Ver. 29. Heart. Understanding. H. — The wise speak with reflection. Prov. xvi. 23.
*H While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul.
Ver. 30. While the ungodly, &c. He condemneth and curseth himself; inasmuch as by sin he takes part with the devil, and is, as it were, his member and subject. Ch. — In vain does he lay the blame of his sins on the devil. v. 3. C. — He condemns himself by imitating the wicked. Lu. xix. W.
*H The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured.
Ver. 31. By all. Gr. "in the neighbourhood." The rest is omitted. H.