23 There is much food in the ploughed land of the poor; but it is taken away by wrongdoing.
Whoever keeps the law will come to no evil: and a wise man's heart has knowledge of time and of decision. For every purpose there is a time and a decision, because the sorrow of man is great in him.
Truly, the stork in the heavens is conscious of her fixed times; the dove and the swallow and the crane keep to the times of their coming; but my people have no knowledge of the law of the Lord. How is it that you say, We are wise and the law of the Lord is with us? But see, the false pen of the scribes has made it false. The wise men are shamed, they are overcome with fear and taken: see, they have given up the word of the Lord; and what use is their wisdom to them? So I will give their wives to others, and their fields to those who will take them for themselves: for everyone, from the least to the greatest, is given up to getting money; from the priest even to the prophet, everyone is false.
Go to the ant, you hater of work; give thought to her ways and be wise: Having no chief, overseer, or ruler, She gets her meat in the summer, storing up food at the time of the grain-cutting. How long will you be sleeping, O hater of work? when will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little rest, a little folding of the hands in sleep: Then loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man
The righteousness of the good man will make his way straight, but the sin of the evil-doer will be the cause of his fall. The righteousness of the upright will be their salvation, but the false will themselves be taken in their evil designs.
Take care to have knowledge about the condition of your flocks, looking well after your herds; For wealth is not for ever, and money does not go on for all generations. The grass comes up and the young grass is seen, and the mountain plants are got in. The lambs are for your clothing, and the he-goats make the value of a field: There will be goats' milk enough for your food, and for the support of your servant-girls.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 13
Commentary on Proverbs 13 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 13
Pr 13:1-25.
1. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 10:1, 17).
2. shall eat—that is, obtain (Pr 12:14).
transgressors—as in Pr 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 Pr 10:14.
4. (Compare Pr 12:11, 27).
5. loathsome … shame—better, causeth shame and reproach (compare Pr 19:26), by slander, &c., 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 Pr 10:27; 11:31).
14. (Compare Pr 10:11).
fountain—or, "source of life."
to depart—(compare Pr 1:2-4), or, "for departing," &c., 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: De 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 Pr 10:17; 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 Pr 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 enure to the just (compare Pr 28:8; Ps 37:18, 22, 26, &c.).
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 Pr 3:12; 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.