1. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

soft--tender or gentle.

turneth . . . wrath--from any one.

stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.

2. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. {poureth: Heb. belcheth, or, bubbleth}

useth . . . aright--commends knowledge by its proper use.

poureth out--utters abundantly (Proverbs 12:23), and so disgusts others.

3. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

beholding--watching (compare Proverbs 5:21, Psalm 66:7).

4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. {A wholesome...: Heb. The healing of the tongue}

A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.

tree of life-- (Proverbs 3:18, Proverbs 11:30).

perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language.

breach . . . spirit--(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.

5. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

(Compare Proverbs 4:1, Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 13:1-18).

is prudent--acts discreetly.

6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

treasure--implying utility.

trouble--vexation and affliction.

7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

(Compare Proverbs 10:20-21).

heart . . . not so--not right, or vain.

8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

The sacrifice [and] prayer--are acts of worship.

way . . . followeth . . . righteousness--denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Psalm 50:17, Isaiah 1:11.

10. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. {Correction: or, Instruction}

(Compare Proverbs 10:17).

the way--that in which God would have him to go (Proverbs 2:13, Psalm 119:1).

11. Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Hell-- (Psalm 16:10).

destruction--or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.

12. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

(Compare Proverbs 9:8). go unto the wise--to be instructed.

13. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

maketh . . . countenance--or, "benefits the countenance."

spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.

14. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

(Compare Proverbs 10:21-22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Proverbs 9:9).

15. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

The state of the heart governs the outward condition.

evil--sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.

16. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Proverbs 16:18, 1Tim. 6:6).

17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

dinner--or, "allowance" (2Kings 25:30) --

of herbs--and that the plainest.

and hatred--(compare Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 10:18).

18. A wrathful man† stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

(Compare Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 16:32).

19. The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. {is made...: Heb. is raised up as a causey†}

The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a

plain [and open] way--literally, "a highway," by diligence (1Samuel 10:7, Psalm 1:3).

20. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.

(Compare Proverbs 10:1).

21. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. {destitute...: Heb. void of heart}

walketh uprightly--and so finds his joy (Proverbs 3:6, Proverbs 10:23).

22. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Without counsel--or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.

23. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! {due...: Heb. his season}

Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.

24. The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

(Compare Col. 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.

25. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Proverbs 2:22, Proverbs 12:7).

border--or, "boundary for possessions" (Psalm 78:54).

26. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. {pleasant...: Heb. words of pleasantness}

are pleasant words--that is, pleasing to God (Proverbs 8:8-9).

27. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

(Compare Proverbs 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.

hateth gifts--or, "bribes" (Exdodus 23:8, Psalm 15:5), and is not avaricious.

28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

(Compare Proverbs 15:14, Proverbs 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.

29. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

far . . . wicked--in His love and favor (Psalm 22:11, Psalm 119:155).

30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

light of the eyes-- (Proverbs 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so

good report--or, "doctrine" (Isaiah 28:9, Isaiah 53:1),

maketh . . . fat--or, "gives prosperity" (Proverbs 3:13-17, Proverbs 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.

31. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.

32. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. {instruction: or, correction} {heareth: or, obeyeth} {getteth...: Heb. possesseth an heart}

31, 32. (Compare Proverbs 10:17).

reproof of life--which leads to life.

abideth . . . wise--is numbered among them.

32. refuseth--or, "neglects," "passes by" (Proverbs 1:25, Proverbs 4:15).
despiseth . . . soul--so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.

33. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

The fear . . . wisdom--Wisdom instructs in true piety.

before . . . humility--(compare Luke 24:26, 1Peter 1:11); opposite (compare Proverbs 16:18).