Counsel about the poor, parents, bribes and, gossip.
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| 1 Better is the poor
that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and
is a fool.
2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. 3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. 4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. |
1
- Better is ... Wealth is not the most important sign of greatness.
2 - Soul without knowledge Still thinking of poverty: people can learn without paying for expensive schools. 3 - Fretteth against the Lord Worry is sin, and more so when we turn against God. 4 - Poor is separated from his neighbor Yes in high social life that Solomon was familiar with, but true friends, although few, come without payment. |
| 6 Many will intreat
the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth
gifts.
7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. 8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. .10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. |
6 -
Friend to ... gifts This is the source of government corruption.
Even in private life, we need to make decisions on the basis of Bible principle
and the glory of God.
10 - Servant ... over princes See ec1006. We also remember that kings (or today's chiefs of state) are generally arrogant and wicked. |
| 11 The discretion of
a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
.12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. .13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. .15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. |
11
- Defers his anger A conflict can be better resolved after a cooling-off
time. We can pass over or ignore an offense if we remember that the Lord
is our shepherd.
13 - Dropping Apparently considering a leaking roof. 14 - Prudent wife How true. No money can buy nor can parents pass down this wealth. And for a prudent husband? The same applies. |
| .16
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth
his ways shall die.
.17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. .18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. 19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. |
17
- Pity on the poor The only response of a consecrated heart. And
notice that it's a loan to the Lord. He pays us back. Of course He has
already blessed us. mt2540,
pr1124,
pr2827.
18 - Chasten See on de2118. |
| 20 Hear counsel, and
receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
.21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. 22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. .23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. |
23 - Fear of the Lord Compare pr1426. |
| .25
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath
understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
.26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. .28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. |
26
- Wasteth We get the idea here of the son
acting like the prodigal in Jesus' parable lu1511.
Find other verses about how children treat parents at pr1721,
pr2020,
de2118.
For "chaseth away," we think of a son who refuses to care for his mother
in old age.
28 - Mouth ... devoureth iniquity We think of those who enjoy knowing and repeating evils or supposed evils of others pr1113. Also jb1516, jb2012, ro0132. |
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