1-14
Miscellaneous Maxims
繁體中文
영문 원문
Miscellaneous Maxims
¹ He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Here, 1. The obstinacy of many wicked people in a wicked way is to be greatly lamented. They are often reproved by parents and friends, by magistrates and ministers, by the providence of God and by their own consciences, have had their sins set in order before them and fair warning given them of the consequences of them, but all in vain; they harden their necks. Perhaps they fling away, and will not so much as give the reproof a patient hearing; or, if they do, yet they go on in the sins for which they are reproved; they will not bow their necks to the yoke, but are children of Belial; they refuse reproof (Pr 10:17), despise it (Pr 5:12), hate it, Pr 12:1. 2. The issue of this obstinacy is to be greatly dreaded: Those that go on in sin, in spite of admonition, shall be destroyed; those that will not be reformed must expect to be ruined; if the rods answer not the end, expect the axes. They shall be suddenly destroyed, in the midst of their security, and without remedy; they have sinned against the preventing remedy, and therefore let them not expect any recovering remedy. Hell is remediless destruction. They shall be destroyed, and no healing, so the word is. If God wounds, who can heal?
² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
This is what was said before, Pr 28:12,28. 1. The people will have cause to rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked; for, if the righteous be in authority, sin will be punished and restrained, religion and virtue will be supported and kept in reputation; but, if the wicked get power in their hands, wickedness will abound, religion and religious people will be persecuted, and so the ends of government will be perverted. 2. The people will actually rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked. Such a conviction are even the common people under of the excellency of virtue and religion that they will rejoice when they see them preferred and countenanced; and, on the contrary, let men have ever so much honour or power, if they be wicked and vicious, and use it ill, they make themselves contemptible and base before all the people (as those priests, Mal 2:9) and subjects will think themselves miserable under such a government.
³ Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
Both the parts of this verse repeat what has been often said, but, on comparing them together, the sense of them will be enlarged from each other. 1. Be it observed, to the honour of a virtuous young man, that he loves wisdom, he is a philosopher (for that signifies a lover of wisdom), for religion is the best philosophy; he avoids bad company, and especially the company of lewd women. Hereby he rejoices his parents, and has the satisfaction of being a comfort to them, and increases his estate, and is likely to live comfortably. 2. Be it observed, to the reproach of a vicious young man, that he hates wisdom; he keeps company with scandalous women, who will be his ruin, both in soul and body; he grieves his parents, and, like the prodigal son, devours their living with harlots. Nothing will beggar men sooner than the lusts of uncleanness; and the best preservative from those ruinous lusts is wisdom.
⁴ The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Here is, 1. The happiness of a people under a good government. The care and business of a prince should be to establish the land, to maintain its fundamental laws, to settle the minds of his subjects and make them easy, to secure their liberties and properties from hostilities and for posterity, and to set in order the things that are wanting; this he must do by judgment, by wise counsels, and by the steady administration of justice, without respect of persons, which will have these good effects. 2. The misery of a people under a bad government: A man of oblations (so it is in the margin) overthrows the land; a man that is either sacrilegious or superstitious, or that invades the priest's office, as Saul and Uzziah—or a man that aims at nothing but getting money, and will, for a good bribe, connive at the most guilty, and, in hope of one, persecute the innocent—such governors as these will ruin a country.
⁵ A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
Those may be said to flatter their neighbours who commend and applaud that good in them (the good they do or the good they have) which really either is not or is not such as they represent it, and who profess that esteem and that affection for them which really they have not; these spread a net for their feet. 1. For their neighbours' feet, whom they flatter. They have an ill design in it; they would not praise them as they do but that they hope to make an advantage of them; and it is therefore wisdom to suspect those who flatter us, that they are secretly laying a snare for us, and to stand on our guard accordingly. Or it has an ill effect on those who are flattered; it puffs them up with pride, and makes them conceited and confident of themselves, and so proves a net that entangles them in sin. 2. For their own feet; so some understand it. He that flatters others, in expectation that they will return his compliments and flatter him, does but make himself ridiculous and odious even to those he flatters.
⁶ In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
Here is, 1. The peril of a sinful way. There is not only a punishment at the end of it, but a snare in it. One sin is a temptation to another, and there are troubles which, as a snare, come suddenly upon evil men in the midst of their transgressions; nay, their transgression itself often involves them in vexations; their sin is their punishment, and they are holden in the cords of their own iniquity, Pr 5:22. 2. The pleasantness of the way of holiness. The snare that is in the transgression of evil men spoils all their mirth, but righteous men are kept from those snares, or delivered out of them; they walk at liberty, walk in safety, and therefore they sing and rejoice. Those that make God their chief joy have him for their exceeding joy, and it is their own fault if they do not rejoice evermore. If there be any true joy on this side heaven, doubtless those have it whose conversation is in heaven.
⁷ The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
It is a pity but that every one who sues sub formâ pauperis—as a pauper, should have an honest cause (they are of all others inexcusable if they have not), because the scripture has so well provided that it should have a fair hearing, and that the judge himself should be of counsel, as for the prisoner, so for the pauper. 1. It is here made the character of a righteous judge that he considers the cause of the poor. It is every man's duty to consider the poor (Ps 41:1), but the judgment of the poor is to be considered by those that sit in judgment; they must take as much pains to find out the right in a poor man's cause as in a rich man's. Sense of justice must make both judge and advocate as solicitous and industrious in the poor man's cause as if they hoped for the greatest advantage. 2. It is made the character of a wicked man that because it is a poor man's cause, which there is nothing to be got by, he regards not to know it, in the true state of it, for he cares not which way it goes, right or wrong. See Job 29:16.
⁸ Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
See here, 1. Who are the men that are dangerous to the public—scornful men. When such are employed in the business of the state they do things with precipitation, because they scorn to deliberate, and will not take time for consideration and consultation; they do things illegal and unjustifiable, because they scorn to be hampered by laws and constitutions; they break their faith, because they scorn to be bound by their word, and provoke the people, because they scorn to please them. Thus they bring a city into a snare by their ill conduct, or (as the margin reads it) they set a city on fire; they sow discord among the citizens and run them into confusion. Those are scornful men that mock at religion, the obligations of conscience, the fears of another world, and every thing that is sacred and serious. Such men are the plagues of their generation; they bring God's judgments upon a land, set men together by the ears, and so bring all to confusion. 2. Who are the men that are the blessings of a land—the wise men who by promoting religion, which is true wisdom, turn away the wrath of God, and who, by prudent counsels, reconcile contending parties and prevent the mischievous consequences of divisions. Proud and foolish men kindle the fires which wise and good men must extinguish.
⁹ If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
A wise man is here advised not to set his wit to a fool's, not to dispute with him, or by contending with him to think either of fastening reason upon him or gaining right from him: If a wise man contend with a wise man, he may hope to be understood, and, as far as he has reason and equity on his side, to carry his point, at least to bring the controversy to a head and make it issue amicably; but, if he contend with a foolish man, there is no rest; he will see no end of it, nor will he have any satisfaction in it, but must expect to be always uneasy. 1. Whether the foolish man he contends with rage or laugh, whether he take angrily or scornfully what is said to him, whether he rail at it or mock at it, one of the two he will do, and so there will be no rest. However it is given, it will be ill-taken, and the wisest man must expect to be either scolded or ridiculed if he contend with a fool. He that fights with a dunghill, whether he be conqueror or conquered, is sure to be defiled. 2. Whether the wise man himself rage or laugh, whether he take the serious or the jocular way of dealing with the fool, whether he be severe or pleasant with him, whether he come with a rod or with the spirit of meekness (1Co 4:21), it is all alike, no good is done. We have piped unto you, and you have not danced, mourned unto you, and you have not lamented.
¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
Note, 1. Bad men hate their best friends: The blood-thirsty, all the seed of the old serpent, who was a murderer from the beginning, all that inherit his enmity against the seed of the woman, hate the upright; they seek the ruin of good men because they condemn the wicked world and witness against it. Christ told his disciples that they should be hated of all men. Bloody men do especially hate upright magistrates, who would restrain and reform them, and put the laws in execution against them, and so really do them a kindness. 2. Good men love their worst enemies: The just, whom the bloody men hate, seek their soul, pray for their conversion, and would gladly do any thing for their salvation. This Christ taught us. Father, forgive them. The just seek his soul, that is, the soul of the upright, whom the bloody hate (so it is commonly understood), seek to protect it from violence, and save it from, or avenge it at, the hands of the blood-thirsty.
¹¹ A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Note, 1. It is a piece of weakness to be very open: He is a fool who utters all his mind,—who tells every thing he knows, and has in his mouth instantly whatever he has in his thoughts, and can keep no counsel,—who, whatever is started in discourse, quickly shoots his bolt,—who, when he is provoked, will say any thing that comes uppermost, whoever is reflected upon by it,—who, when he is to speak of any business, will say all he thinks, and yet never thinks he says enough, whether choice or refuse, corn or chaff, pertinent or impertinent, you shall have it all. 2. It is a piece of wisdom to be upon the reserve: A wise man will not utter all his mind at once, but will take time for a second thought, or reserve the present thought for a fitter time, when it will be more pertinent and likely to answer his intention; he will not deliver himself in a continued speech, or starched discourse, but with pauses, that he may hear what is to be objected and answer it. Non minus interdum oratorium est tacere quam dicere—True oratory requires an occasional pause. Plin. Eph. 7.6.
¹² If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
Note, 1. It is a great sin in any, especially in rulers, to hearken to lies; for thereby they not only give a wrong judgment themselves of persons and things, according to the lies they give credit to, but they encourage others to give wrong informations. Lies will be told to those that will hearken to them; but the receiver, in this case, is as bad as the thief. 2. Those that do so will have all their servants wicked. All their servants will appear wicked, for they will have lies told of them; and they will be wicked, for they will tell lies to them. All that have their ear will fill their ear with slanders and false characters and representations; and so if princes, as well as people, will be deceived, they shall be deceived, and, instead of devolving the guilt of their own false judgments upon their servants that misinformed them, they must share in their servants' guilt, and on them will much of the blame lie for encouraging such misinformations and giving countenance and ear to them.
¹³ The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
This shows how wisely the great God serves the designs of his providence by persons of very different tempers, capacities, and conditions in the world, even, 1. By those that are contrary the one to the other. Some are poor and forced to borrow; others are rich, have a great deal of the mammon of unrighteousness (deceitful riches they are called), and they are creditors, or usurers, as it is in the margin. Some are poor, and honest, and laborious; others are rich, slothful, and deceitful. They meet together in the business of this world, and have dealings with one another, and the Lord enlightens both their eyes; he causes his sun to shine upon both and gives them both the comforts of this life. To some of both sorts he gives his grace. He enlightens the eyes of the poor by giving them patience, and of the deceitful by giving them repentance, as Zaccheus. 2. By those that we think could best be spared. The poor and the deceitful we are ready to look upon as blemishes of Providence, but God makes even them to display the beauty of Providence; he has wise ends not only in leaving the poor always with us, but in permitting the deceived and the deceiver, for both are his (Job 12:16) and turn to his praise.
¹⁴ The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
Here is, 1. The duty of magistrates, and that is, to judge faithfully between man and man, and to determine all causes brought before them, according to truth and equity, particularly to take care of the poor, not to countenance them in an unjust cause for the sake of their poverty (Ex 23:3), but to see that their poverty do not turn to their prejudice if they have a just cause. The rich will look to themselves, but the poor and needy the prince must defend (Ps 82:3) and plead for, Pr 31:9. 2. The happiness of those magistrates that do their duty. Their throne of honour, their tribunal of judgment, shall be established for ever. This will secure to them the favour of God and strengthen their interest in the affections of their people, both which will be the establishment of their power, and help to transmit it to posterity and perpetuate it in the family.
15-17
Parental Discipline
繁體中文
父母的管教
¹⁵ 杖打和責備能加增智慧;放縱的兒子使母親羞愧。
父母在教育兒女時當考慮:1. 適當管教的好處。他們不但當告訴兒女何為善、何為惡,更當在他們忽略善或行了惡時責備他們、又管教他們——若有需要的話。若責備不用杖就能奏效,那就好了;但杖絕不可不帶合理而莊重的責備而使用;如此——雖然它或許暫時對父親和孩子都不安——卻能加增智慧。挫折增長見識。兒女必受警戒、如此就得著智慧。2. 不當放縱的危害:放縱的兒子——不被約束和責備、卻任憑自己的,如同亞多尼雅那樣隨從自己的喜好——若他肯行善或者可以、但若他走上惡道、就沒有人攔阻他;十之八九他必成為家族的恥辱、又使母親——那在他放蕩中溺愛他、遷就他的人——羞愧、陷入貧窮和羞辱,或許他還要親自辱罵她、又向她出惡言。
¹⁶ 惡人加多,過犯也加多;義人必看見他們跌倒。
請留意:1. 罪人越多、罪也越多:當惡人——因當權者的縱容而增多、又在各處橫行時——過犯也加多就不足為奇,如同瘟疫在一國中被稱為增多——當越來越多人受感染時。過犯在有許多人為它撐腰時、就更加放肆和大膽、更加專橫和威脅。在古時的世界,當人開始多起來時,他們就開始墮落、又彼此敗壞。2. 罪越多、所威脅的毀滅就越近。不要讓義人因罪和罪人的增多而在信心和盼望上動搖。不要讓他們說自己徒然潔淨了手、或神已經離棄了這地;倒要忍耐等候;犯法的人必跌倒——他們罪惡的滿盈之時一到、他們必從尊榮和權勢上跌落、又跌入羞辱和毀滅之中,而義人必因看見他們跌倒而得滿足(Ps 37:34)——或許在今世、肯定在審判大日,那時神不共戴天之仇敵的傾覆、必成為得榮耀之聖徒的喜樂和誇勝。見 Isa 66:24,Ge 19:28。
¹⁷ 管教你的兒子,他就使你得安息;他也必使你心裡喜樂。
請留意:1. 兒女成為父母的安慰、這是極其有福的事。好的兒女如此行;他們使父母得安息、使他們安逸、又免去對兒女的許多掛慮;不但如此,他們*還使父母心裡喜樂。*看見自己所給兒女之良好教育的美好果子、又對兒女在今世和來世的福祉有指望——這是父母的喜樂、唯有蒙此福的人才能體會;這喜樂與為兒女所懷的許多心思成正比。2. 為要如此,兒女必須在嚴格的管教下受訓練、不可任憑他們所願而行、又在他們行錯時不受責備。他們心中所存的愚妄、必須趁年幼時藉管教加以驅除,否則到他們長大時就必爆發出來——使自己羞愧、也使父母羞愧。
영문 원문
Parental Discipline
¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Parents, in educating their children, must consider, 1. The benefit of due correction. They must not only tell their children what is good and evil, but they must chide them, and correct them too, if need be, when they either neglect that which is good or do that which is evil. If a reproof will serve without the rod, it is well, but the rod must never be used without a rational and grave reproof; and then, though it may be a present uneasiness both to the father and to the child, yet it will give wisdom. Vexatio dat intellectum—Vexation sharpens the intellect. The child will take warning, and so will get wisdom. 2. The mischief of undue indulgence: A child that is not restrained or reproved, but is left to himself, as Adonijah was, to follow his own inclinations, may do well if he will, but, if he take to ill courses, nobody will hinder him; it is a thousand to one but he proves a disgrace to his family, and brings his mother, who fondled him and humoured him in his licentiousness, to shame, to poverty, to reproach, and perhaps will himself be abusive to her and give her ill language.
¹⁶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Note, 1. The more sinners there are the more sin there is: When the wicked, being countenanced by authority, grow numerous, and walk on every side, no marvel if transgression increases, as a plague in the country is said to increase when still more and more are infected with it. Transgression grows more impudent and bold, more imperious and threatening, when there are many to keep it in countenance. In the old world, when men began to multiply, they began to degenerate and corrupt themselves and one another. 2. The more sin there is the nearer is the ruin threatened. Let not the righteous have their faith and hope shocked by the increase of sin and sinners. Let them not say that they have cleansed their hands in vain, or that God has forsaken the earth, but wait with patience; the transgressors shall fall, the measure of their iniquity will be full, and then they shall fall from their dignity and power, and fall into disgrace and destruction, and the righteous shall have the satisfaction of seeing their fall (Ps 37:34), perhaps in this world, certainly in the judgment of the great day, when the fall of God's implacable enemies will be the joy and triumph of glorified saints. See Isa 66:24, Ge 19:28.
¹⁷ Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Note, 1. It is a very happy thing when children prove the comfort of their parents. Good children are so; they give them rest, make them easy, and free from the many cares they have had concerning them; yea, they give delight unto their souls. It is a pleasure to parents, which none know but those that are blessed with it, to see the happy fruit of the good education they have given their children, and to have a prospect of their well-doing for both worlds; it gives delight proportionable to the many thoughts of heart that have been concerning them. 2. In order to this, children must be trained up under a strict discipline, and not suffered to do what they will and to go without rebuke when they do amiss. The foolishness bound up in their hearts must by correction be driven out when they are young, or it will break out, to their own and their parents' shame, when they are grown up.
18-27
Miscellaneous Maxims
繁體中文
各樣箴言
¹⁸ 沒有異象,民就放肆;惟遵守律法的,便為有福。
請看此處,I. 缺乏固定事工人之百姓的苦況:沒有異象——沒有先知解明律法、沒有祭司或利未人教導對耶和華的善知識、沒有恩典的途徑、耶和華的言語稀少、沒有默示(1Sa 3:1)之處、民就放肆;這字有許多含意、其中任一都可適用於此。1. 百姓赤露——被剝去裝飾而暴露於羞辱、被剝去軍裝而暴露於危險。一個沒有聖經和傳道人的地方何等荒涼、又是仇敵何等容易的獵物!2. 百姓背叛——不僅背叛神、也背叛君王;好的講道能使人作好百姓、但因缺乏它、他們便騷動結黨、輕慢主治、因為他們不知更好。3. 百姓閒散、或玩耍——如同主人不在時學童容易作的;他們不作任何有益的事、卻終日閒站、在市場上嬉戲、因缺乏指教不知當作甚麼、如何去作。4. 他們如同沒有牧人的羊一般分散——因缺乏會眾的召集者去呼召並聚集他們(Mk 6:34)。他們因背道而從神和他們的本分分散、因紛爭而彼此分散;神被激怒以他的審判驅散他們(2Ch 15:3,5)。5. 他們滅亡;他們因無知識而滅亡(Ho 4:6)。看我們有何理由為所享受的豐富敞開的默示感謝神。
II. 不僅有固定、更有成功的事工人之百姓的福樂——聽見並遵守律法的百姓、宗教在其中居首位的;這樣的百姓和他們中間每一個人都是有福的。使人得福的不是有律法、而是遵行它、活出它。
¹⁹ 只用言語,僕人不肯受管教;他雖然明白,也不留意。
此處描述一個無益、懶惰、邪惡的僕人——一個不是出於良心或愛心、而純粹出於懼怕而服事的奴僕。那有這樣僕人的、當穿上忍耐來忍受煩擾、不因之而自擾。請看他們的品格。1. 沒有理性的話能感化他們;他們不肯受言語的管教和糾正——不能被帶回到本分上、不能被治好閒懶和懶惰、無論用溫和或嚴厲的言語;連最溫和的主人也被迫對他們使用嚴厲;沒有理性能滿足他們、因為他們是不講理的。2. 沒有理性的話能從他們口中得著。他們固執陰沉;他雖然明白你所問的、卻不肯給你回答;無論你向他們說得多麼清楚你所期望的、他們不肯應承改正不對之處、也不肯留意他們的業務。請看那些僕人的愚妄——他們以緘默的口為自己招來責打;他們本可因言語受管教而免去杖責、卻不肯。
²⁰ 你見言語急躁的人嗎?愚妄人比他更有指望。
所羅門在此表明、要使一個急躁的人歸向智慧、幾乎沒有指望——無論是1. 因草率和欠考慮:你見言語急躁的人嗎——就是心思輕浮善變的、似乎很快掌握一件事、卻只掌握一半、飛快瀏覽一本書或一門學問、卻不花時間消化、不花時間在業務上停頓思想?要使一個遲鈍笨拙、在學習上緩慢的人成為學者和智慧人、比使一個有這種善變天才而不能專注的人更有指望。2. 因驕傲和自負:你見一個對所提起的每一件事都搶著發言、又愛搶先說、又愛作結、又愛對之作出判斷、彷彿他是神諭的人嗎?一個自知愚妄的謙遜愚妄人、比這樣一個自負的人更有指望。
²¹ 人將僕人從小嬌養,這僕人終久必成了他的兒子。
請注意:1. 主人對僕人過分溺愛是不智的——提拔他太快、容許他與自己過分親密、容忍他在飲食、衣著、住處上過分挑剔講究、只因他是寵兒、是個令人愉快的僕人便嬌養他;當記得他是僕人、若如此被縱容、便不能在任何別處立足了。僕人必須忍受艱難。2. 僕人因被嬌慣待而表現傲慢、是不感恩的事、卻很常見。那謙卑的浪子自以為不配稱為兒子、甘願作僕人;那被嬌養的奴僕卻自以為太尊貴、不配稱為僕人、至終必成了他的兒子——要享安逸自由、要與主人平起平坐、或許還要覬覦產業。主人當給僕人公平而合宜的分、不多也不少。這也很適用於身體——它是靈魂的僕人;那從小嬌養身體、姑息它、過分愛惜它的人、至終必發現它忘記自己的地位、成了兒子——成了主人、成了十足的暴君。
²² 好氣的人挑啟爭端;暴怒的人多多犯罪。
請看怒氣、暴躁、暴烈的性情所造成的禍害。1. 它使人彼此惹動:好氣的人挑啟爭端——在家中在鄰舍中都是麻煩好爭吵的、煽風點火、甚至迫使那些願與他平安共處的人也與他翻臉。2. 它使人對神惹動:暴怒的人——與自己的脾氣情慾結合的——不能不多多犯罪。不當的怒氣是導致許多罪的罪;它不僅阻礙人求告神的名、更使他們起誓、咒詛、褻瀆神的名。
²³ 人的高傲必使他卑下;心裏謙遜的,必得尊榮。
這與基督所多次說的相符:1. 那自高的必降為卑。那想藉抬高自己超越本分——藉眼目高傲、言語誇大、衣著華麗、自我稱許——來博取尊敬的人、反倒使自己暴露於輕蔑、失去聲譽、並惹動神以降卑的護理將他們壓下、使他們卑微。2. 那自卑的必升為高、並在其尊嚴上得堅立:心裏謙遜的必得尊榮;他的謙卑就是他的尊榮、那要使他真正而穩妥地偉大、並推薦他給一切智慧良善之人的敬重。
²⁴ 人與盜賊分贓,是恨惡自己的性命;他聽見叫人發誓的聲音,卻不言語。
請看那些被罪人引誘勾引的人、將自己陷入何等的罪與毀滅。1. 他們招致許多罪疚:那與搶奪欺詐之人分贓、與他們同夥的便是如此(Pr 1:11等)。窩藏者與盜賊一樣壞;既被拉去與他同犯罪行、便不能逃脫與他同謀隱瞞——即使是以最可怖的起假誓和咒詛。他們聽見叫人發誓的聲音——當被起誓要說出全部實情時——卻不肯承認。2. 他們速速歸於全然毀滅:他們甚至恨惡自己的性命、因為他們故意行那必將其無可避免地毀滅的事。請看罪人所犯的荒謬;他們愛死亡——沒有比這更可怕的——又恨惡自己的性命——沒有比這更親愛的。
²⁵ 懼怕人的,陷入網羅;惟有倚靠耶和華的,必得安穩。
此處:1. 我們受警戒不要懼怕人的權勢——無論是君王的權勢或多數人的權勢;兩者都足夠可怕、但對任何一者的奴性懼怕使人陷入網羅——就是使人暴露於許多侮辱(有人以嚇唬膽怯之人為樂)、或更恰當地說、使人暴露於許多試探。亞伯拉罕因懼怕人而否認妻子、彼得否認主、許多人否認自己的神和信仰。我們不可因逃避人的忿怒而退縮不盡本分、也不可犯罪、即使看見它臨近也不可因懼怕而心裏不安(Da 3:16,Ps 118:6)。他自己也必死(Isa 51:12)、不過能殺身體而已(Lu 12:5)。2. 我們受鼓勵去倚靠神的大能——那能保守我們脫離一切帶著痛苦或試探的對人的懼怕。凡倚靠耶和華的——在盡本分的路上求保護和供應——必被安置在高處、高過人的權勢、高過對那權勢的懼怕。對神的聖潔信靠使人既偉大又安息、並使他以恩慈的輕看看待地獄與地上最可怕的計謀。神若是我的拯救、我必信靠、並不懼怕。
²⁶ 求王恩的人多,定人事乃在耶和華。
請看此處:1. 人為求高升發財、使自己偉大通常所採的途徑:他們求王恩、並彷彿一切判斷都從他而出、便向他盡力獻媚。所羅門自己是君王、知道人何等殷勤地向他求助——有的為這事、有的為那事、但都是為他的恩寵。世人與大人物結交、期望從次要原因的笑臉中得著許多、這是世人的常道、然而這些都不確定、屢屢使人失望。許多人費很大力氣求王恩卻得不著;許多人得一時、卻不能保住、因一點小變故便落入他的不悅;許多人得著了、也保住了、卻不如所期、不能從中得著所應許自己的好處。哈曼得了王恩、卻毫無益處。2. 人要得福所能採的最明智途徑:當仰望神、求萬王之王的恩;因為定人事乃在耶和華。我們的景況不由君王決定;他的恩寵不能使我們幸福、他的怒容不能使我們悲慘。但事乃由神決定;每一受造之物對我們而言、不過是神使它成為的那樣、不多也不另。他是第一因、一切次要原因都倚賴他;他若不幫助、它們便不能(2Ki 6:27,Job 34:29)。
²⁷ 惡人為義人所憎嫌;正直人為惡人所憎惡。
這不僅表達美德與罪惡之間內在的對立——如光與暗、火與水之間——更表達女人的後裔與蛇的後裔之間一直存在的舊有仇恨(Ge 3:15)。1. 一切成聖的人都對邪惡和邪惡的人有根深蒂固的厭惡。他們對一切人的靈魂有善意(神也有、他不願有一人滅亡);但他們恨惡那些對神不敬、對人不義之人的道路與行為;他們一聽見或一提說便心生聖潔的義憤;他們厭惡不敬虔不正直之人的交往、懼怕想到給他們任何支持、卻盡力使惡人的惡止息。如此惡人使自己成為義人所憎嫌的、這是他現今羞辱與刑罰的一部分——好人都不能忍受他。2. 一切未成聖的人都對敬虔和敬虔的人有同樣根深蒂固的厭惡:正直人——那對自己所說所行的良心鄭重的——為惡人所憎惡,因為他的正直或許壓制、至少也羞辱並定罪了惡人的惡。該隱便是如此行的、他是屬那惡者的。這不僅是惡人的惡——他們恨神所愛的——更是他們的苦況——他們恨那些他們不久便要看見處於永遠福樂與尊榮中的人、又是那將在早晨管轄他們的人(Ps 49:14)。
영문 원문
Miscellaneous Maxims
¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
See here, I. The misery of the people that want a settled ministry: Where there is no vision, no prophet to expound the law, no priest or Levite to teach the good knowledge of the Lord, no means of grace, the word of the Lord is scarce, there is no open vision (1Sa 3:1), where it is so the people perish; the word has many significations, any of which will apply here. 1. The people are made naked, stripped of their ornaments and so exposed to shame, stripped of their armour and so exposed to danger. How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers, and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! 2. The people rebel, not only against God, but against their prince; good preaching would make people good subjects, but, for want of it, they are turbulent and factious, and despise dominions, because they know no better. 3. The people are idle, or they play, as the scholars are apt to do when the master is absent; they do nothing to any good purpose, but stand all the day idle, and sporting in the market-place, for want of instruction what to do and how to do it. 4. They are scattered as sheep having no shepherd, for want of the masters of assemblies to call them and keep them together, Mk 6:34. They are scattered from God and their duty by apostasies, from one another by divisions; God is provoked to scatter them by his judgments, 2Ch 15:3,5. 5. They perish; they are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Ho 4:6. See what reason we have to be thankful to God for the plenty of open vision which we enjoy.
II. The felicity of a people that have not only a settled, but a successful ministry among them, the people that hear and keep the law, among whom religion is uppermost; happy are such a people and every particular person among them. It is not having the law, but obeying it, and living up to it, that will entitle us to blessedness.
¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
Here is the description of an unprofitable, slothful, wicked servant, a slave that serves not from conscience, or love, but purely from fear. Let those that have such servants put on patience to bear the vexation and not disturb themselves at it. See their character. 1. No rational words will work upon them; they will not be corrected and reformed, not brought to their business, nor cured of their idleness and laziness, by fair means, no, nor by foul words; even the most gentle master will be forced to use severity with them; no reason will serve their turn, for they are unreasonable. 2. No rational words will be got from them. They are dogged and sullen; and, though they understand the questions you ask them, they will not give you an answer; though you make it ever so plain to them what you expect from them, they will not promise you to mend what is amiss nor to mind their business. See the folly of those servants whose mouth by their silence calls for strokes; they might be corrected by words and save blows, but they will not.
²⁰ Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Solomon here shows that there is little hope of bringing a man to wisdom that is hasty either, 1. Through rashness and inconsideration: Seest thou a man that is hasty in his matters, that is of a light desultory wit, that seems to take a thing quickly, but takes it by the halves, gallops over a book or science, but takes no time to digest it, no time to pause or muse upon a business? There is more hope of making a scholar and a wise man of one that is dull and heavy, and slow in his studies, than of one that has such a mercurial genius and cannot fix. 2. Through pride and conceitedness: Seest thou a man that is forward to speak to every matter that is started, and affects to speak first to it, to open it, and speak last to it, to give judgment upon it, as if he were an oracle? There is more hope of a modest fool, who is sensible of his folly, than of such a self-conceited one.
²¹ He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
Note, 1. It is an imprudent thing in a master to be too fond of a servant, to advance him too fast, and admit him to be too familiar with him, to suffer him to be over-nice and curious in his diet, and clothing, and lodging, and so to bring him up delicately, because he is a favourite, and an agreeable servant; it should be remembered that he is a servant, and, by being thus indulged, will be spoiled for any other place. Servants must endure hardness. 2. It is an ungrateful thing in a servant, but what is very common, to behave insolently because he has been used tenderly. The humble prodigal thinks himself unworthy to be called a son, and is content to be a servant; the pampered slave thinks himself too good to be called a servant, and will be a son at the length, will take his ease and liberty, will be on a par with his master, and perhaps pretend to the inheritance. Let masters give their servants that which is equal and fit for them, and neither more nor less. This is very applicable to the body, which is a servant to the soul; those that delicately bring up the body, that humour it, and are over-tender of it, will find that at length it will forget its place, and become a son, a master, a perfect tyrant.
²² An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
See here the mischief that flows from an angry, passionate, furious disposition. 1. It makes men provoking to one another: An angry man stirs up strife, is troublesome and quarrelsome in the family and in the neighbourhood, blows the coals, and even forces those to fall out with him that would live peaceable and quietly by him. 2. It makes men provoking to God: A furious man, who is wedded to his humours and passions, cannot but abound in transgressions. Undue anger is a sin which is the cause of many sins; it not only hinders men from calling upon God's name, but it occasions their swearing, and cursing, and profaning God's name.
²³ A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
This agrees with what Christ said more than once, 1. That those who exalt themselves shall be abased. Those that think to gain respect by lifting up themselves above their rank, by looking high, talking big, appearing fine, and applauding themselves, will on the contrary expose themselves to contempt, lose their reputation, and provoke God by humbling providences to bring them down and lay them low. 2. That those who humble themselves shall be exalted, and shall be established in their dignity: Honour shall uphold the humble in spirit; their humility is their honour, and that shall make them truly and safely great, and recommend them to the esteem of all that are wise and good.
²⁴ Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
See here what sin and ruin those involve themselves in who are drawn away by the enticement of sinners. 1. They incur a great deal of guilt: He does so that goes partner with such as rob and defraud, and casts in his lot among them, Pr 1:11, etc. The receiver is as bad as the thief; and, being drawn in to join with him in the commission of the sin, he cannot escape joining with him in the concealment of it, though it be with the most horrid perjuries and execrations. They hear cursing when they are sworn to tell the whole truth, but they will not confess. 2. They hasten to utter ruin: They even hate their own souls, for they wilfully do that which will be the inevitable destruction of them. See the absurdities sinners are guilty of; they love death, than which nothing is more dreadful, and hate their own souls, than which nothing is more dear.
²⁵ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Here, 1. We are cautioned not to dread the power of man, neither the power of a prince nor the power of the multitude; both are formidable enough, but the slavish fear of either brings a snare, that is, exposes men to many insults (some take a pride in terrifying the timorous), or rather exposes men to many temptations. Abraham, for fear of man, denied his wife, and Peter his Master, and many a one his God and religion. We must not shrink from duty, nor commit sin, to avoid the wrath of man, nor, though we see it coming upon us, be disquieted with fear, Da 3:16, Ps 118:6. He must himself die (Isa 51:12) and can but kill our body, Lu 12:5. 2. We are encouraged to depend upon the power of God, which would keep us from all that fear of man which has either torment or temptation in it. Whoso puts his trust in the Lord, for protection and supply in the way of duty, shall be set on high, above the power of man and above the fear of that power. A holy confidence in God makes a man both great and easy, and enables him to look with a gracious contempt upon the most formidable designs of hell and earth against him. If God be my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid.
²⁶ Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.
See here, 1. What is the common course men take to advance and enrich themselves, and make themselves great: they seek the ruler's favour, and, as if all their judgment proceeded from him, to him they make all their court. Solomon was himself a ruler, and knew with what sedulity men made their application to him, some on one errand, others on another, but all for his favour. It is the way of the world to make interest with great men, and expect much from the smiles of second causes, which yet are uncertain, and frequently disappoint them. Many take a great deal of pains in seeking the ruler's favour and yet cannot have it; many have it for a little while, but they cannot keep themselves in it, by some little turn or other they are brought under his displeasure; many have it, and keep it, and yet it does not answer their expectation, they cannot make that hand of it that they promised themselves they should. Haman had the ruler's favour, and yet it availed him nothing. 2. What is the wisest course men can take to be happy. Let them look up to God, and seek the favour of the Ruler of rulers; for every man's judgment proceeds from the Lord. It is not with us as the ruler pleases; his favour cannot make us happy, his frowns cannot make us miserable. But it is as God pleases; every creature is that to us that God makes it to be, no more and no other. He is the first Cause, on which all second causes depend; if he help not, they cannot, 2Ki 6:27, Job 34:29.
²⁷ An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
This expresses not only the innate contrariety that there is between virtue and vice, as between light and darkness, fire and water, but the old enmity that has always been between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Ge 3:15. 1. All that are sanctified have a rooted antipathy to wickedness and wicked people. They have a good will to the souls of all (God has, and would have none perish); but they hate the ways and practices of those that are impious towards God and injurious towards men; they cannot hear of them nor speak of them without a holy indignation; they loathe the society of the ungodly and unjust, and dread the thought of giving them any countenance, but do all they can to bring the wickedness of the wicked to an end. Thus an unjust man makes himself odious to the just, and it is one part of his present shame and punishment that good men cannot endure him. 2. All that are unsanctified have a like rooted antipathy to godliness and godly people: He that is upright in the way, that makes conscience of what he says and does, is an abomination to the wicked, whose wickedness is restrained perhaps and suppressed, or, at least, shamed and condemned, by the uprightness of the upright. Thus Cain did, who was of his father the devil. And this is not only the wickedness of the wicked, that they hate those whom God loves, but their misery too, that they hate those whom them shall shortly see in everlasting bliss and honour, and who shall have dominion over them in the morning, Ps 49:14.
各樣格言
此處,1. 許多惡人在惡道上頑梗不化,這是極可悲的。他們屢次受責備——受父母朋友的責備、受官長牧者的責備、受神的護理和自己良心的責備,他們的罪被一一擺在眼前,又受了明確的後果警告,卻全歸徒然;他們硬著頸項。他們或許不屑一顧,連耐性地聽責備也不肯;或者即使聽了,卻仍然繼續在受責備的罪中;他們不肯把頸項放在軛下,而是悖逆之子;他們拒絕責備(Pr 10:17),藐視責備(Pr 5:12),恨惡責備,Pr 12:1。2. 這種頑梗的結局當大為畏懼:那些在勸戒之下仍繼續犯罪的,必頃刻敗壞;不肯受改正的,必受毀滅;若杖不能達到目的,就當預期斧頭。他們必頃刻敗壞,在安逸之中忽然敗壞,而且無法可治;他們得罪了那預防的良方,所以就不可指望有任何恢復的良方。地獄是無藥可救的毀滅。原文是:他們必敗壞,不得醫治。神若使人受傷,誰能醫治呢?
這是先前所說過的,Pr 28:12,28。1. 百姓必因統治者是義人還是惡人而喜樂或歎息;因為義人若掌權,罪惡必受刑罰和壓制,信仰和美德必得到支持和尊重;但**惡人若掌權,罪惡必增多,信仰和敬虔人必受逼迫,於是治理的目的就被敗壞了。2. 百姓實際上必因統治者是義人還是惡人而喜樂或歎息。連平民百姓都對美德和信仰的卓越如此有感悟,以至於看見它們被高舉和尊重就喜樂;反過來,人無論有多大的尊榮或權力,若是邪惡敗壞的、又濫用權柄,就在眾人眼前使自己成為可鄙可賤的(如同那些祭司,Mal 2:9),臣民也必認為自己在這樣的治理之下是悲慘的。
本節兩半都重複了屢次說過的話,但兩相比較,意義就更加豐富。1. 請留意,為有德行的年輕人增光:他喜愛智慧,他是個哲學家(因為這詞的意思就是愛智慧之人),因為信仰是最好的哲學;他遠離惡友,尤其遠離放蕩婦人的陪伴。他藉此使父母喜樂,又得著作他們安慰的滿足,並增加自己的產業,有望過舒適的生活。2. 請留意,為敗壞的年輕人增羞:他恨惡智慧;他與無恥的婦人結交,她們必成為他靈魂和身體的毀滅;他使父母憂傷,又如同浪子一般與妓女耗盡他們的家業*。再沒有什麼比不潔的情慾更快使人貧窮的了;而保守人遠離這些毀滅性情慾的最好良方,就是智慧。
此處有,1. 一國在好的治理下的幸福。君王當關注和致力於使國堅定——維護國家的根本法律,安定百姓的心、使他們安居,保障他們的自由和財產免受敵害、並傳給後代,又整理所欠缺的事務;這他必須藉公平來做——藉著智慧的謀略和穩定的司法行政,不看人的情面,如此必有好果效。2. 一國在壞的治理下的悲慘:一個收受祭物的人(旁註如此)使國傾覆——是一個褻瀆聖物或迷信的人,或是一個侵犯祭司職分的人,如掃羅和烏西雅——或是一個只圖得利的人,肯為賄賂而包庇最有罪的人,又盼望藉著賄賂來逼迫無辜的人——這樣的治理者必使國家敗亡。
那些諂媚鄰舍的人——稱讚和吹捧鄰舍身上的善(他們所行的善或所有的善),而這善其實不是真的、或不像他們所描繪的那樣,又對他們表白自己實在沒有的尊重和感情——這樣的人設網羅絆他的腳。1. 絆他們所諂媚的鄰舍的腳。他們在其中有不良的用意;他們若不是盼望從中得利,就不會如此稱讚;所以當警惕那些諂媚我們的人,以為他們在暗中為我們設下網羅,並相應地提高警惕。或者這對受諂媚的人有不良的影響;它使他們心高氣傲、自負自恃,於是成了網羅,使他們陷入罪中。2. 絆自己的腳;有人如此理解。那諂媚別人、指望別人回報恭維和諂媚的人,不過使自己在他所諂媚的人眼中成為可笑可憎的。
此處有,1. 罪惡之路的危險。其中不僅有終局的刑罰,更有其中的網羅。一罪是另一罪的試探,而且在惡人犯罪之中,有如同網羅一般忽然臨到的患難;不,他們的過犯本身就常常使他們陷入煩惱;他們的罪就是他們的刑罰,他們被自己罪孽的繩索纏住,Pr 5:22。2. 聖潔之路的喜樂。那在惡人過犯中的網羅敗壞了他們一切的歡樂,但義人蒙保守脫離這些網羅,或從其中被救拔;他們自由而行,安然行走,因此歡呼喜樂。那些以神為至上喜樂的人,有神作他們的極大喜樂;他們若不常常喜樂,那就是自己的錯了。若說天堂這一邊有什麼真正的喜樂,那無疑是那些思念上面之事的人所擁有的。
每一個以窮人身分申訴的人,理當有正當的案情(他們若沒有,比一切人更不可推諉),因為聖經如此充分地規定了他當有公正的聽審,連審判官自己也當為囚犯、也為窮人作辯護。1. 此處把義人的審判官的特徵定為:他知道窮人的案情。顧念窮人是每個人的本分(Ps 41:1),但窮人的案件當由坐堂審判的人來查究;他們當像查究富人的案件一樣,費心找出窮人案件中的真相。正義感當使審判官和辯護人在窮人的案件中,如同盼望最大利益一般殷勤熱切。2. 此處把惡人的特徵定為:因為那是窮人的案件、從中無利可圖,他就不明白其真實情況,也不在乎案件如何了結,是對是錯。參見 Job 29:16。
請看此處,1. 誰是危害公眾的人——褻慢人。當這樣的人被任用於國事時,他們做事倉促,因為他們不屑於慎重行事、不肯花時間思考和商議;他們做不合法、不正當的事,因為他們不屑於受法律和制度的約束;他們背信棄義,因為他們不屑於受自己話語的約束;他們激怒百姓,因為他們不屑於討百姓的喜悅。如此他們以自己的惡行使通城陷入網羅,或(如旁註所讀的)他們放火燒城;他們在市民中間播撒紛爭,使之陷入混亂。那些嘲笑信仰、良心之約束、對來世的敬畏、以及一切神聖莊嚴之事的人,就是褻慢人。這樣的人是他們那一代人的瘟疫;他們把神的審判帶到地上,又使人彼此交惡,於是使一切都陷入混亂。2. 誰是一國的祝福——就是那些藉著推廣信仰(即真智慧)來轉消神的忿怒的智慧人,和那些藉著謹慎的謀略使相爭的雙方和好、又防止分裂之惡果的人。驕傲愚妄的人點火,智慧善良的人必須滅火。
智慧人在此受勸戒,不可與愚妄人鬥智,不可與他爭辯,也不可藉著與他相爭來想使自己有理或從他得直:智慧人若與智慧人相爭,他可以盼望被理解,而只要理性和公正在他那邊,就可以達到目的,至少可以把爭端理清、使之以和睦了結;但他若與愚妄人相爭,就不能止息;他看不到盡頭,也不能從中得著滿足,只能預期常常不得安寧。1. 無論與他相爭的愚妄人是發怒還是發笑,無論他對所說的話是惱怒還是譏誚,無論他是咒罵還是嘲笑,兩者必居其一,於是就不能止息。無論怎樣遞給他,他都必不接受,最智慧的人也必須預期,若與愚妄人相爭,不是被罵就是被嘲笑。與糞堆爭鬥,無論勝敗,都必被弄髒。2. 無論智慧人自己是發怒還是發笑,無論他對愚妄人是用嚴肅的還是詼諧的方式,無論是嚴厲的還是愉快的,無論是拿著棍子還是以溫柔的靈(1Co 4:21),都是一樣,毫無益處。我們向你們吹笛,你們不跳舞;向你們舉哀,你們不捶胸。
請留意,1. 惡人恨惡自己最好的朋友:好流人血的——就是那古蛇一切的後裔,那古蛇從起初是殺人的;一切繼承了他對女人後裔之敵意的,都恨惡正直人;他們尋求善人的毀滅,因為善人定這邪惡世界的罪、又向它作見證。基督告訴他的門徒,他們必被萬人恨惡。嗜血的人尤其恨惡正直的官長——那些要約束和改正他們、又對他們執行律法的人,其實這真是善待他們。2. 善人愛自己最壞的仇敵:義人——就是嗜血的人所恨惡的——顧惜他的性命,為他的歸信禱告,又樂意為他的得救做任何事。這是基督所教導我們的。父啊,赦免他們。*義人顧惜他的性命,即正直人的性命——就是嗜血的人所恨惡的(通常如此理解)——設法保護他免受強暴,又從好流人血的*手中拯救他、或為他報仇。
請留意,1. 太敞開是軟弱的表現:那怒氣全發的是愚妄人——就是把自己所知道的一切全說出來、心中所想的一切立刻在口中說出來、不能保守秘密的人——無論談話中提起什麼,他就立刻把話射出來——被激怒時,他什麼話都說得出口,不管連累到誰——要談論什麼事時,就把所想的全說出來,還總覺得自己說得不夠,無論精選的還是次等的、穀子還是糠秕、相干的還是不相干的,全都給你。2. 有所保留是智慧的表現:智慧人不會一次把心裡的話全說出來,而是會花時間再想一想,或把現在的想法留到更合適的時機,那時更為切題、更可能達到他的目的;他不會以連續不斷的言語或拘謹的講論來表達自己,而是帶著停頓,好聽聽有什麼反對意見並加以回答。有時沉默與演說同樣是口才。
請留意,1. 聽信謊言,尤其在君王,是大罪;因為他們不僅自己根據所聽信的謊言對人和事作出錯誤判斷,更鼓勵別人提供虛假情報。謊言必有人向那些肯聽的人說;但在這種情形下,收受的人與偷竊的人一樣壞。2. 這樣行的人必使自己*所有的臣僕都成為奸惡。*他一切臣僕都必顯為奸惡,因為必有謊言論到他們;他們也必成為奸惡,因為他們必向君王說謊。一切能到他耳邊的人,都必用讒言和虛假的品格與描述塞滿他的耳朵;所以君王若像百姓一樣願意受欺哄,就必被欺哄;他非但不能把虛假判斷的罪推到誤報的臣僕身上,自己反而必有分於臣僕的罪,而且大半責任要歸在他身上——因為他縱容這樣的誤報、又予以青睞和垂聽。
這表明偉大的神如何藉著性情、能力和地位大不相同的人,來成就他護理的目的,甚至,1. 藉著彼此相反的人。有的貧窮,被迫借貸;有的富足,有大量不義之財(稱為欺壓的錢財),他們是債主,或放債取利的人(旁註如此)。有的貧窮而誠實勤勞;有的富足而懶惰欺壓。他們在這世上的事務中相遇,彼此有交往,而耶和華使兩者的眼目都明亮;他使日頭照在兩者之上,又賜給兩者今生的安慰。他對兩種人中的一些人賜下恩典。他藉著賜忍耐使窮人的眼目明亮,又藉著賜悔改使欺壓人的眼目明亮,如同撒該。2. 藉著我們以為最可缺少的人。貧窮人和欺壓人,我們容易看為護理的污點,但神甚至藉著他們來彰顯護理之美;他有不僅在留下窮人常與我們同在上的智慧目的,也在允許被欺哄的和欺哄人的上有智慧目的——因為兩者都是他的(Job 12:16),且都歸於他的讚美。
此處有,1. 官長的本分,那就是在人與人之間誠實地審判,照著真理和公正來裁定一切呈上來的案件,特別要顧念窮人——不可因他貧窮而在不正當的案件中偏袒他(Ex 23:3),卻要確保他的貧窮在他有正當案情時不至於成為他的不利。富人會自己照料自己,但窮人和困苦人,君王必須保護(Ps 82:3)、為他辯護,Pr 31:9。2. 盡本分之官長的幸福。他們的國位——榮耀的寶座、審判的法庭——*必永遠堅立。*這必確保他們得著神的恩寵,又加強他們在百姓感情中的利益,兩者都是他們權柄的堅立,並有助於將之傳給後代、使之在家族中長存。