18. Both vices must one day be known and punished, and hence their folly.
19. Much speech involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue ([Psa 39:1]; [Jas 1:26]).
20. Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.
21. Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare [Pr 10:11], ; [Ho 4:6]).
22. it maketh, &c.--"it" is emphatic. Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (compare [Ec 2:21-23]; [1Ti 6:9], 10, 17).
23. Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good.
24. it--the very thing. The wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.
25. (Compare [Psa 1:4]; 37:9, 10, 36).
righteous ... foundation--well laid and firm ([Mt 7:24], ).
26. that is, causes vexation.
27. (Compare [Pr 9:11]; [Psa 55:23]).
28. gladness--in confidence of realizing it.
expectation ... perish--in disappointment.
29. The way, &c.--that is, God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked ([Ho 14:9]).
30. (Compare [Pr 12:3]; Psa 37:9-11; 102:28).
earth--or, "land of promise."
31. bringeth forth--literally, "germinates" as a plant.
froward--(Compare [Pr 2:12], ).
cut off--as an unproductive plant.
32. know--regard and provide for ([Psa 1:6]).
frowardness--all kinds of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.
Chapter 11
[Pr 11:1-31].
1. (Compare Margin). The Hebrews used stones for weights.
just--complete in measure.
2. Self-conceit is unteachable; the humble grow wise (compare [Pr 16:18]; ).
3. guide--to lead, as a shepherd ([Pr 6:7]; [Psa 78:52]).
perverseness--ill-nature.
destroy--with violence.
4. (Compare [Pr 10:2]).
wrath--that is, of God.
5. direct--or, "make plain"; wicked ways are not plain ([Pr 13:17]).
6. deliver them--that is, from evil, which the wicked suffer by their own doings ([Pr 5:22]; [Psa 9:16]).
7. expectation ... perish--for death cuts short all his plans ([Lu 16:25]).
hope of unjust--better, "hope of wealth," or "power" (compare [Is 40:29], Hebrew). This gives an advance on the sentiment of the first clause. Even hopes of gain die with him.
8. Perhaps the trouble prepared by the wicked, and which he inherits (compare [Pr 11:6]).
9. (Compare [Psa 35:16]; [Da 11:32]). The just is saved by superior discernment.
10-11. The last may be a reason for the first. Together, they set forth the relative moral worth of good and bad men.
12. despiseth--or, "reviles," a course contrasted with the prudent silence of the wise.
holdeth his peace--as if neither hearing nor telling.
13. tale-bearer--(Compare Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence.
14. counsel--the art of governing ([Pr 1:5]).
counsellors--literally, "one giving counsel"; the participle used as a collective.
15. (Compare [Pr 6:1]).
suretiship--(Compare Margin), the actors put for the action, which may be lawfully hated.