Proverbs 24
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“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
1Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
CHAPTER 24
Pr 24:1-34.
1-2. (Compare Pr 23:3, 17; Psa 37:1).
2For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
3Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:
3-4. (Compare Pr 14:1; Is 54:14).
house--including the family.
4And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
5A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
5-6. The general statement (Ec 9:16, 18) is specially illustrated (compare Pr 21:22; Psa 144:1).
6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
7. (Compare Pr 14:16).
in the gate--(Compare Pr 22:22).
8He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
8. So called even if he fails to do evil.
9The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
9. Same thought varied.
10If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.
10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.
11If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
11-12. Neglect of known duty is sin (Jas 4:17).
ready--literally, "bowing down"
to be slain--that is, unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.
12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
13My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
13-14. As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.
14So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
15Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
15-16. The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Psa 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.
16For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
17-18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Pr 17:5; Job 31:29).
18Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked:
19-20. (Psa 37:1, 38; 18:28).
20For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
21My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:
21-22. A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Ro 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:17).
meddle ... change--(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons.
22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
23These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
23. These ... wise--literally, "are of the wise," as authors (compare "Psalms of David," Hebrew). "These" refers to the verses following, Pr 24:24-34.
to have respect--literally, "to discern faces," show partiality,
24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:
24-25. of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.
25But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
26Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
26. kiss his lips--love and obey, do homage (Psa 2:12; So 8:1).
right answer--literally, "plain words" (compare Pr 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.
27Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.
27. Prepare ... in the field--Secure, by diligence, a proper support, and then build; provide necessaries, then comforts, to which a house rather pertained, in a mild climate, permitting the use of tents.
28Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
28. Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.
29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
29. Especially avoid retaliation (Mt 5:43-45; Ro 12:17).
30I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
30-31. A striking picture of the effects of sloth.
31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
32-34. From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Pr 6:10, 11).
33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
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