1
Pr 10:1-32.
2
無題
2. Treasures . . . nothing--that is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare
Pr 4:17; Mt 6:19).
righteousness--especially beneficence
(Ps 112:9).
death--the greatest of all evils.
3
無題
3. (Compare
Ps 37:16-20).
The last clause is better: "He will repel the greedy desires of the wicked."
4
無題
4. slack--literally, "deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare
Ho 7:16).
maketh rich--(compare
Pr 10:22).
5
無題
5. son--as
Pr 1:8, 10,
and often.
sleepeth--in indolence, and not for rest.
causeth shame--literally, "is base" (compare
Pr 14:35; 17:2).
6
無題
6. Blessings--literally, "Praises." The last clause is better: "The mouth of the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous devices)" to be executed in due time
(Ps 5:9; 10:7; Ro 3:14),
and hence has no praises (compare
Pr 10:11).
7
無題
7. blessed--literally, "for a blessing," or praise.
shall rot--literally, "be worm-eaten," useless and disgusting.
8
無題
8. wise, &c.--(compare
Pr 9:8, 9, 16),
opposed to
prating fool--or, "fool of lips of wicked language."
fall--headlong, suddenly.
9
無題
9. perverteth his ways--acts deceitfully.
known--discovered and punished.
10
無題
10. Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one
(Pr 6:13; Ps 35:19),
and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.
11
無題
11. a well--or, "source" of good to himself and others
(Joh 7:37, 38).
On last clause, see on
Pr 10:6.
12
無題
12. strifes--or, "litigations."
covereth--by forgiveness and forbearance.
13
無題
13. In the lips . . . found--hence, not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool.
void of understanding--
(Pr 6:32; 7:7).
14
無題
14. lay up knowledge--that is, as treasures for good use.
mouth . . . destruction--or, "as to the mouth," &c., destruction is near; they expose themselves to evil by prating.
15
無題
15. Both by trusting in "uncertain riches"
(1Ti 6:17),
or by the evils of poverty
(Pr 30:9),
men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.
16
無題
16. The industry of the righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked tempt and lead to sin.
17
無題
17. keepeth--observes
(Pr 3:18; 4:22).
refuseth--or, "turns from reproof," which might direct him aright.
18
無題
18. Both vices must one day be known and punished, and hence their folly.
19
無題
19. Much speech involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue
(Ps 39:1; Jas 1:26).
20
無題
20. Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.
21
無題
21. Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare
Pr 10:11, 17; Ho 4:6).
22
無題
22. it maketh, &c.--"it" is emphatic. Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (compare
Ec 2:21-23; 1Ti 6:9, 10, 17).
23
無題
23. Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good.
24
無題
24. it--the very thing. The wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.
25
無題
25. (Compare
Ps 1:4; 37:9, 10, 36).
righteous . . . foundation--well laid and firm
(Mt 7:24, 25).
26
無題
26. that is, causes vexation.
27
無題
27. (Compare
Pr 9:11; Ps 55:23).
28
無題
28. gladness--in confidence of realizing it.
expectation . . . perish--in disappointment.
29
無題
29. The way, &c.--that is, God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked
(Ho 14:9).
30
無題
30. (Compare
Pr 12:3; Ps 37:9-11; 102:28).
earth--or, "land of promise."
31
無題
31. bringeth forth--literally, "germinates" as a plant.
froward--(Compare
Pr 2:12, 14).
cut off--as an unproductive plant.
32
無題
32. know--regard and provide for
(Ps 1:6).
frowardness--all kinds of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.
Pr 10:1-32.
Here begins the second part of the book,
Pr 10:1-22:16,
which, with the third,
Pr 22:16-25:28,
contains series of proverbs whose sense is complete in one or two verses, and which, having no logical connection, admit of no analysis. The parallelisms of
Pr 10:1-15:33
are mostly antithetic; and those of
Pr 16:1-22:16,
synthetic. The evidences of art in the structure are very clear, and indicate, probably, a purpose of facilitating the labor of memorizing.
1. wise [and] foolish--as they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom.
maketh . . . father--or, "gladdens a father."
heaviness--or, "grief."