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THE PROVERBS.

Introduction.

THE PROVERBS of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel; 2 From which men may learn wisdom and instruction

From which they may discern the words of understanding3 From which they may receive the instruction of prudence, In righteousness, and in equity, and in rectitude_

4 Which will give caution to the simple

To the young person, knowledge and discretion.

5 If a wise man attend, he will increase his learning, Yea, a man of understanding will acquire good directions; 6 So as to understand a proverb, even its interpretation— The words of the wise, even their difficult sayings.

1 king-"I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem." Eccles. i. 12. Compare also xvi. 10.

2 In this and the four following verses, Solomon explains the scope and design of the book of "Proverbs." He describes it as replete with lessons of piety to God, maxims of justice towards our neighbour, and salutary instructions for the correction and government of our own hearts and actions. He further observes that its precepts are so plain, comprehensive, and pure, that they cannot fail to improve the moral and spiritual condition both of the wise and of the simple, provided they approach the consideration of them with a teachable disposition, and a sincere and humble desire to profit by their directions.

2 From which men may learn- Heb. for the knowing of

5 If a wise &c.—Heb. Let a wise man hear and he will add learning. By learning is here to be understood a sound and practical acquaintance with religious subjects.

attend-i. e. to the admirable precepts contained in this book.

6 difficult sayings-These words have a particular reference to such lessons of wisdom, as the sacred writers have inculcated, either by means of parable, or in brief figurative sentences; both of which modes of teaching, to be fully comprehended, require aptness and attention, on the part of those to whom they are addressed.

A

No progress to be made in true wisdom, unless the mind be first deeply impressed with a reverential fear of God-Duty of obedience to parental instruction enjoined — Warning against the dangers of evil company.

7 THE reverence of JEHOVAH is the beginning of knowledge; Wisdom and instruction fools despise.

8 Hearken, O my son, to the instruction of thy father,
And neglect not the lessons of thy mother;

For these shall be a graceful ornament to thy head,
And chains around thy neck.

10 O my son, if sinners entice thee,

Do not thou consent.

11 If they say: "Come with us,

"Let us lie in wait for blood,

“Without cause, let us watch secretly for the innocent; 12"Let us, as the grave, swallow them up alive,

13

14

"And whole, like those who descend into the pit.

"We shall find much precious substance,

"We shall fill our houses with spoil.

"As one of us, thou shalt cast thy lot; "We all will have one purse."

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15 O my son, walk not in their way, Refrain thy foot from their path.

16 For their feet run to evil,

And haste to shed blood.

17 Truly, it is in vain that any bird seeth The spreading of the net!

18 Thus these men lie in wait for their own blood, They watch secretly for their own lives.

19 Such are the paths of all who are covetous of unjust gain; It taketh the lives of its possessors.

Wisdom represented as inviting all to attend to her threatening such as refuse her invitation with misery and punishment — declaring her determination to pay no regard to their distressful cry—assuring them that they will, in due time, suffer the just and fatal consequences of their wickedness.

20 WISDOM crieth aloud without,

In the streets she uttereth her voice;

21 In the principal place of concourse she calleth aloud, Even at the entrances of the gates;

22

Throughout the city she proclaimeth her words: (saying) "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simpleness? "Yea, how long will scoffers delight themselves in scoffing, "And fools hate knowledge?

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17 Truly &c.-Heb. Truly in vain is

the net spread in the eyes of any bird. in vain the bird does not take warning, even when it sees the net prepared. See vii. 23.

18 Thus these men &c.-i.e. the wicked, while busy in plotting against the lives of others, are blind to the destruction which is sure to fall upon themselves.

20 without-i. è. out of doors, publicly. 22 scoffers-i. e. scoffers at religion and goodness.

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“Behold, I will pour forth my spirit upon you, “I will enable you to understand my words!

24 "Because I have called aloud,

25

"And ye have refused—

"Because I have stretched out my hand,

"And no one hath attended;

"But ye have rejected all my counsel, "And have slighted my rebuke;

26"I also will laugh, when you fall into calamity,

"I will show derision, when fear cometh upon you— 27 "When fear cometh upon you, like a desolation, "And calamity overtaketh you, like a whirlwind— "When distress and strait come upon you.

28

"Then will they call upon me,

"But I will not answer!

“They will seek me early,

"But they shall not find me!

29

"Because they have hated knowledge,

"And have not chosen the religion of JEHOVAH—

30 "Because they have slighted my counsel—

31

"Because they have contemned all my rebuke;

"Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, "And be filled to the full with their own devices.

23 I will enable you to understand-Heb.

I will make known to you.

25 have slighted-Heb. have not been
willing (to profit by).

26 when you fall into-Heb. in your.
27 And calamity &c.-Heb. And your
calamity cometh.

28 early with great earnestness and diligence.

29 have not chosen-i. e. have shown an

utter aversion to. See Ps. cxix. 85. Note 2.

29 the religion-Heb. the fear.

30 slighted-See v. 25. Note.

31 eat of the fruit of their own way— i.e. meet with that punishment which their wickedness deserves.

be filled to the full &c.i.e. have ample cause to loathe the evil courses, in which they have been engaged.

32

"For the turning away of the simple shall destroy them, "And the recklessness of fools shall cause them to perish; 33" But he, who hearkeneth unto me, shall dwell securely, "And shall not be disquieted by the fear of evil.”

The good effects of attending to sound instruction, and the rewards consequent thereupon, described. The guidance and blessing of God especially promised to those, who give themselves to the study of wisdom; and some of the dangers and evils, which, by so doing, they will avoid, pointed out.

1 O MY SON, if thou wilt receive my words,

And treasure up my commandments within thee— 2 If thou wilt apply thine ear unto wisdomIf thou wilt incline thy heart to understanding, 3 Yea, if thou wilt call aloud unto knowledgeIf thou wilt raise thy voice to understanding4 If thou wilt seek her, as silver,

And search for her, as for hidden treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the religion of JEHOVAH, And attain unto the knowledge of God.

6 For JEHOVAH giveth wisdom,

From His mouth proceed knowledge and understanding. 7 HE treasureth up sound wisdom for the upright, HE is a shield to those who walk in integrity;

8 HE preserveth the paths of equity,

And He guardeth the way of His pious worshippers. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and equity, And rectitude, even every good path.

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