1 A wise son -- the instruction of a father, And a scorner -- he hath not heard rebuke.
2 From the fruit of the mouth a man eateth good, And the soul of the treacherous -- violence.
3 Whoso is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, Whoso is opening wide his lips -- ruin to him!
4 The soul of the slothful is desiring, and hath not. And the soul of the diligent is made fat.
5 A false word the righteous hateth, And the wicked causeth abhorrence, and is confounded.
6 Righteousness keepeth him who is perfect in the way, And wickedness overthroweth a sin offering.
7 There is who is making himself rich, and hath nothing, Who is making himself poor, and wealth `is' abundant.
8 The ransom of a man's life `are' his riches, And the poor hath not heard rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth, And the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
10 A vain man through pride causeth debate, And with the counselled `is' wisdom.
11 Wealth from vanity becometh little, And whoso is gathering by the hand becometh great.
12 Hope prolonged is making the heart sick, And a tree of life `is' the coming desire.
13 Whoso is despising the Word is destroyed for it, And whoso is fearing the Command is repayed.
14 The law of the wise `is' a fountain of life, To turn aside from snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth grace, And the way of the treacherous `is' hard.
16 Every prudent one dealeth with knowledge, And a fool spreadeth out folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into evil, And a faithful ambassador is healing.
18 Whoso is refusing instruction -- poverty and shame, And whoso is observing reproof is honoured.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, And an abomination to fools `is': Turn from evil.
20 Whoso is walking with wise men is wise, And a companion of fools suffereth evil.
21 Evil pursueth sinners, And good recompenseth the righteous.
22 A good man causeth sons' sons to inherit, And laid up for the righteous `is' the sinner's wealth.
23 Abundance of food -- the tillage of the poor, And substance is consumed without judgment.
24 Whoso is sparing his rod is hating his son, And whoso is loving him hath hastened him chastisement.
25 The righteous is eating to the satiety of his soul, And the belly of the wicked lacketh!
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.