Geneva Bible Notes on Proverbs

1. Doth not (a) wisdom cry? and understanding utter her voice?

(a) Solomon declares that man is the cause of his own perdition and that he cannot pretend ignorance, for God calls all men by his word and his works to follow virtue and flee from vice.

2. She standeth in the top of the high places by the way in the place of the paths.

3. She crieth besides (b) the gates before the city at the entry of the doors,

(b) Where the people resorted most and which was the place of justice.

4. O men, I call unto you, and utter my voice to the children of men.

5. O ye foolish men, understand wisdom, and ye, O fools, be wise in heart.

6. Give ear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips, shall teach things that be right.

7. For my mouth shall speak the truth, and my lips abhor wickedness.

8. All the words of my mouth are righteous: there is no lewdness, nor frowardness in them.

9. They are all (c) plain to him that will understand, and straight to them that would find knowledge.

(c) Meaning that the word of God is easy to all that have a desire for it and are not blinded by the prince of this world.

10. Receive mine instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than fine gold.

11. For wisdom is better than precious stones: and all pleasures are not to be compared unto her.

12. I wisdom dwell with (d) prudence, and I find forth knowledge and counsels.

(d) That is, unless a man has wisdom, which is the true knowledge of God, he can be neither a prudent nor good counsellor.

13. The fear of the Lord is to hate (e) evil as pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way: and a mouth that speaketh lewd things, I do hate.

(e) So that he who does not hate evil, does not fear God.

14. I have counsel and wisdom: I am understanding, and I have strength.

15. By me, (f) Kings reign, and princes decree justice.

(f) By which he declares that honours, dignities or riches do not come from man's wisdom or industry, but by the providence of God.

16. By me princes rule and the nobles, and all the judges of the earth.

17. I love them that love me: and they that seek me (g) early, shall find me.

(g) That is, study the word of God diligently, and with a desire to profit.

18. Riches and honor are with me: even (h) durable riches and righteousness.

(h) Signifying that he chiefly means the spiritual treasures and heavenly riches.

19. My fruit is better than gold, even than fine gold, and my revenues better than fine silver.

20. I cause to walk in the way of righteousness, and in the midst of the paths of (i) judgment,

(i) For there can be no true justice or judgment, which is not rejected by this wisdom.

21. That I may cause them that love me, to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasures.

22. The Lord hath possessed me in the beginning of his way: I was (k) before his works of old.

(k) He declares by this the divinity and eternity of this wisdom, which he magnifies and praises through this book: meaning by this the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ our Saviour, whom John calls the Word that was in the beginning John 1:1.

23. (l) I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning and before the earth.

(l) He declares the eternity of the Son of God, who was before all time, and ever present with the father.

24. When there were no depths, was I begotten, when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25. Before the mountains were settled: and before the hills, was I begotten.

26. He had not yet made the earth, nor the open places, nor the height of the dust in the world.

27. When he prepared the heavens, I was there, when he set the compass upon the deep.

28. When he established the clouds above, when he confirmed the fountains of the deep,

29. When he gave his decree to the Sea, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth,

30. Then was I with him (m) as a nourisher, and I was daily his delight rejoicing alway before him,

(m) Some read, a chief worker signifying that this wisdom, Christ Jesus, was equal with God his father, and created, preserves and still works with him, as in John 5:17.

31. (n) And took my solace in the compass of (o) his earth: and my delight is with the children of men.

(n) By which is declared that the work of the creation was no pain, but a solace to the wisdom of God.

(o) By earth he means men, which is the work of God in whom wisdom took pleasure: in that as for man's sake the divine wisdom took man's nature, and dwelt among us, and filled us with unspeakable treasures, and this is the solace and pastime of which is here spoken.

32. Therefore now hearken, O children, unto me: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

33. Hear instruction, and be ye wise, and refuse it not: blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, and giving attendance at the posts of my doors.

35. For he that findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord.

36. But he that sinneth against me, hurteth his own soul: and all that hate me, love death.