Bible Commentaries

(Compare Proverbs 23:3, Proverbs 23:17; Psalm 37:1).

studieth — meditateth.

talk … mischief — Their expressed purposes are to do evil.

(Compare Proverbs 14:1; Isaiah 54:14).

house — including the family.

riches — (Proverbs 8:18; Proverbs 21:20).

The general statement (Ecclesiastes 9:16, Ecclesiastes 9:18) is specially illustrated (compare Proverbs 21:22; Psalm 144:1).

(Compare Proverbs 14:16).

in the gate — (Compare Proverbs 22:22).

So called even if he fails to do evil.

Same thought varied.

Literally, “If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength,” which is then truly tested.

Neglect of known duty is sin (James 4:17).

ready — literally, “bowing down”

to be slain — that is, unjustly. God‘s retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance.

As delicious food whets the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it.

reward — literally, “after part,” the proper result (compare Proverbs 23:18; Psalm 37:37, Psalm 37:38).

The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Psalm 37:24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help.

seven times — often, or many (Proverbs 6:16, Proverbs 6:31; Proverbs 9:1).

Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Proverbs 17:5; Job 31:29).

(Psalm 37:1, Psalm 37:38; Psalm 18:28).

candle — or, “prosperity”; it shall come to an end (Proverbs 13:9; Proverbs 20:20).

A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:17).

meddle … change — (Compare Margin), literally, “mingle not yourself,” avoid the society of restless persons.

their calamity, etc. — either what God and the king inflict, or what changers and their company suffer; better the first.

wise — literally, “are of the wise,” as authors (compare “Psalms of David,” Hebrew). “These” refers to the verses following, Proverbs 24:24-34.

to have respect — literally, “to discern faces,” show partiality,

of which an example is justifying the wicked, to which is opposed, rebuking him, which has a blessing.

kiss his lips — love and obey, do homage (Psalm 2:12; Song of Solomon 8:1).

right answer — literally, “plain words” (compare Proverbs 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.

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.

Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.

Especially avoid retaliation (Matthew 5:43-45; Romans 12:17).

A striking picture of the effects of sloth.

From the folly of the sluggard learn wisdom (Proverbs 6:10, Proverbs 6:11).