23 These are more sayings of the wise: To have respect for a person's position when judging is not good.
It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
Let the wise give thought to these things, and see the mercies of the Lord.
Do no wrong in your judging: do not give thought to the position of the poor, or honour to the position of the great; but be a judge to your neighbour in righteousness.
And if you give the name of Father to him who, judging every man by his acts, has no respect for a man's position, then go in fear while you are on this earth:
But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is.
Is there not a division in your minds? have you not become judges with evil thoughts? Give ear, my dear brothers; are not those who are poor in the things of this world marked out by God to have faith as their wealth, and for their heritage the kingdom which he has said he will give to those who have love for him? But you have put the poor man to shame. Are not the men of wealth rulers over you? do they not take you by force before their judges?
In judging, do not let a man's position have any weight with you; give hearing equally to small and great; have no fear of any man, for it is God who is judge: and any cause in which you are not able to give a decision, you are to put before me and I will give it a hearing.
Let not your decisions be based on what you see, but on righteousness.
Who is like the wise man? and to whom is the sense of anything clear? A man's wisdom makes his face shining, and his hard face will be changed. I say to you, Keep the king's law, from respect for the oath of God. Be not quick to go from before him. Be not fixed in an evil design, because he does whatever is pleasing to him. The word of a king has authority; and who may say to him, What is this you are doing? Whoever keeps the law will come to no evil: and a wise man's heart has knowledge of time and of decision.
Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.
How long will you go on judging falsely, having respect for the persons of evil-doers? (Selah.) Give ear to the cause of the poor and the children without fathers; let those who are troubled and in need have their rights. Be the saviour of the poor and those who have nothing: take them out of the hand of the evil-doers.
So now let the fear of the Lord be in you; do your work with care; for in the Lord our God there is no evil, or respect for high position, or taking of payment to do wrong.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 24
Commentary on Proverbs 24 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 24
Pro 24:1-2
Here,
Pro 24:3-6
We are tempted to envy those that grow rich, and raise their estates and families, by such unjust courses as our consciences will by no means suffer us to use. But, to set aside that temptation, Solomon here shows that a man, with prudent management, may raise his estate and family by lawful and honest means, with a good conscience, and a good name, and the blessing of God upon his industry; and, if the other be raised a little sooner, yet these will last a great deal longer.
Pro 24:7-9
Here is the description,
Pro 24:10
Note,
Pro 24:11-12
Here is,
Pro 24:13-14
We are here quickened to the study of wisdom by the consideration both of the pleasure and the profit of it.
Pro 24:15-16
This is spoken, not so much by way of counsel to wicked men (they will not receive instruction, ch. 23:9), but rather in defiance of them, for the encouragement of good people that are threatened by them. See here,
Pro 24:17-18
Here,
Pro 24:19-20
Here,
Pro 24:21-22
Note,
Pro 24:23-26
Here are lessons for wise men, that is, judges and princes. As subjects must do their duty, and be obedient to magistrates, so magistrates must do their duty in administering justice to their subjects, both in pleas of the crown and causes between party and party. These are lessons for them.
Pro 24:27
This is a rule of prudence in the management of household affairs; for all good men should be good husbands, and manage with discretion, which would prevent a great deal of sin, and trouble, and disgrace to their profession.
Pro 24:28-29
We are here forbidden to be in any thing injurious to our neighbour, particularly in and by the forms of law, either,
Pro 24:30-34
Here is,