The power of words and the security living by the name (character) of Christ
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| 1 Through desire a man,
having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. 4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. .5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. |
1 - "A man who wishes to separate from friends
seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach." Septuagint
reading.
5 - Accept the person As is the situation in political corruption. |
| 6 A fool's lips enter
into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. |
7
- A fool's lips My mother liked to rehearse a saying to me or my
brother when appropriate: Better to be thought a fool than to open your
mouth and remove all doubt.
10 - Tower People of Palestine east of the Jordan valley in centuries past built towers with doorways too high to reach. At night they could be safe from bandits by entering and pulling up the ladder. |
| 11 The rich man's wealth
is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. .14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. |
11
- Conceit The Hebrew word maskith is "image" in le2601
and "pictures" in nu3352.
It may here mean "imagination" or "conceit."
14 - Spirit ... sustain The body tends to rally from injury or disease for people with good attitudes ph0413, pr1722. |
| 16 A man's gift maketh
room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. 18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. 19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. |
16
- Gift A different word from "bribe." Kindness and helping in time
of need is better than a material gift.
17 - The point is, listen to both sides of the story. 18 - We might say agreement for arbitration. 19 - The Septuagint reads: "A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city and as a well-founded palace." The Hebrew may be translated either way. |
| 20 A man's belly shall
be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his
lips shall he be filled.
.21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. .24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. |
20,21
- The satisfaction of using kind words. Words are powerful. We do
well to practice being a blessing.
24 - The KJV translation here assumes a spelling error in the text which is not very clear at best. The primary meaning seems to be the thought of pr1717 although it's a good thought as it is. |
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