Bible Commentaries

Treasures of ^a wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

(a) That is, wickedly gotten.

The LORD will ^b not allow the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

(b) Though he permits the just to want for a time, yet he will send him comfort in due season.

Blessings [are] upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of ^c the wicked.

(c) When their wickedness is discovered, they will be as dumb and not know what to say.

The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall ^d perish.

(d) Shall be vile and abhorred both by God and man, contrary to their own expectation, who think to make their name immortal.

He that ^e winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a ^f prating fool shall fall.

(e) That bears a fair countenance and imagines mischief in his heart, as in (Proverbs 6:13).

(f) For the corruption of his heart is known by his talk.

In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but ^g a rod [is] for the back of him that is void of understanding.

(g) That is, God will find him out to punish him.

The rich man's wealth [is] his ^h strong city: the destruction of the poor [is] their poverty.

(h) And so makes him bold to do evil, while poverty bridles the poor from many evil things.

The lips of the righteous ⁱ feed many: but fools die for lack of wisdom.

(i) For they speak truth and edify many by exhortations, admonition and counsel.

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth ^k no sorrow with it.

(k) Meaning that all worldly things bring care and sorrow, where as they who feel the blessings of God have none.

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so [is] the sluggard to them that ^l send him.

(l) He is trouble and grief to him about any business.

The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked ^m shall be shortened.

(m) The time of their prosperity will be short because of their great fall, though they seem to live long.

The righteous shall ⁿ never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

(n) They enjoy in this life by faith and hope, their everlasting life.