1 Don't be envious of evil men; Neither desire to be with them:
2 For their hearts plot violence, And their lips talk about mischief.
3 Through wisdom a house is built; By understanding it is established;
4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all rare and beautiful treasure.
5 A wise man has great power; And a knowledgeable man increases strength;
6 For by wise guidance you wage your war; And victory is in many advisors.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: He doesn't open his mouth in the gate.
8 One who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.
9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
10 If you falter in the time of trouble, Your strength is small.
11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
12 If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" Doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; The droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
14 So you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; If you have found it, then there will be a reward, Your hope will not be cut off.
15 Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting-place:
16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
18 Lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.
19 Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; Neither be envious of the wicked:
20 For there will be no reward to the evil man; And the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
21 My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious:
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly; The destruction from them both--who knows?
23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" Peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him--
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, And a rich blessing will come on them.
26 An honest answer Is like a kiss on the lips.
27 Prepare your work outside, And get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips.
29 Don't say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
30 I went by the field of the sluggard, By the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep;
34 So shall your poverty come as a robber, And your want as an armed man.
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,