4 Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.
Even of his neighbour is the poor hated, And those loving the rich `are' many.
Many entreat the face of the noble, And all have made friendship to a man of gifts. All the brethren of the poor have hated him, Surely also his friends have been far from him, He is pursuing words -- they are not!
`And not many days after, having gathered all together, the younger son went abroad to a far country, and there he scattered his substance, living riotously; and he having spent all, there came a mighty famine on that country, and himself began to be in want; and having gone on, he joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him to the fields to feed swine,
My brethren have deceived as a brook, As a stream of brooks they pass away. That are black because of ice, By them doth snow hide itself. By the time they are warm they have been cut off, By its being hot they have been Extinguished from their place. Turn aside do the paths of their way, They ascend into emptiness, and are lost. Passengers of Tema looked expectingly, Travellers of Sheba hoped for them. They were ashamed that one hath trusted, They have come unto it and are confounded. Surely now ye have become the same! Ye see a downfall, and are afraid. Is it because I said, Give to me? And, By your power bribe for me? And, Deliver me from the hand of an adversary? And, From the hand of terrible ones ransom me?
My brethren from me He hath put far off, And mine acquaintances surely Have been estranged from me. Ceased have my neighbours And my familiar friends have forgotten me, Sojourners of my house and my maids, For a stranger reckon me: An alien I have been in their eyes. To my servant I have called, And he doth not answer, With my mouth I make supplication to him. My spirit is strange to my wife, And my favours to the sons of my `mother's' womb.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 19
Commentary on Proverbs 19 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 19
Pr 19:1-29.
1. (Compare Pr 28:6). "Rich" for fool here. Integrity is better than riches (Pr 15:16, 17; 16:8).
2. The last illustrates the first clause. Rashness, the result of ignorance, brings trouble.
3. perverteth … way—turns him back from right (Pr 13:6; Jas 1:13); and he blames God for his failures.
4. (Compare Pr 14:20). Such facts are often adduced with implied disapprobation.
5. Compare Pr 19:9, where perish explains not escape here (compare Ps 88:9, 10).
8. (Compare Margin; Pr 15:32).
loveth … soul—or, "himself," which he evinces by regarding his best interests.
keepeth—or, "regards."
10. (Compare Pr 17:7). The fool is incapable of properly using pleasure as knowledge, yet for him to have it is less incongruous than the undue elevation of servants. Let each abide in his calling (1Co 7:20).
11. (Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32). This inculcation of a forgiving spirit shows that true religion is always the same (Mt 5:22-24).
12. (Compare Pr 16:14, 15; 20:2). A motive to submission to lawful authority.
13. calamity—literally, "calamities," varied and many.
continual dropping—a perpetual annoyance, wearing out patience.
14. A contrast of men's gifts and God's, who, though author of both blessings, confers the latter by His more special providence.
and—or, "but," implying that the evils of Pr 19:13 are only avoided by His care.
15. a deep sleep—a state of utter indifference.
idle soul—or, "person" (compare Pr 10:4; 12:24).
16. (Compare Pr 10:17; 13:13).
despiseth … ways—opposed to keeping or observing, neglects (Pr 16:17) (as unworthy of regard) his moral conduct.
17. (Compare Pr 14:21; Ps 37:26).
hath pity—shown by acts (compare Margin).
18. (Compare Pr 13:24; 23:13).
let not … spare—literally, "do not lift up thy soul" (Ps 24:4; 25:1), that is, do not desire to his death; a caution to passionate parents against angry chastisement.
19. Repeated efforts of kindness are lost on ill-natured persons.
20. (Compare Pr 13:18-20).
latter end—(Pr 5:11). In youth prepare for age.
21. (Compare Pr 16:1, 9; Ps 33:10, 11). The failure of man's devices is implied.
22. desire—that is, to do good, indicates a kind disposition (Pr 11:23); and the poor thus affected are better than liars, who say and do not.
23. The fear … life—(Compare Pr 3:2).
abide—or, "remain contented" (1Ti 4:8).
not visited with evil—(Pr 10:3; Ps 37:25), as a judgment, in which sense visit is often used (Ps 89:32; Jer 6:15).
24. bosom—literally, a wide dish in which the hand was plunged in eating (Mt 26:23). Compare Pr 26:15, the sentiment expressed with equal irony and less exaggeration.
25. Such is the benefit of reproof; even the simple profit, much more the wise.
26. Unfilial conduct often condemned (Pr 17:21-25; 20:20; De 21:18, 21).
27. Avoid whatever leads from truth.
28. ungodly witness—(Compare Margin), one false by bad principles (compare Pr 6:12).
scorneth judgment—sets at naught the dictates of justice.
devoureth—literally, "swalloweth," as something delightful.
29. Their punishment is sure, fixed, and ready (compare Pr 3:34; 10:13).