17. A wicked--or, "unfaithful"
messenger falleth into mischief--or, "by mischief," or "evil," and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others.
18. (Compare [Pr 10:17]; ).
19. Self-denial, which fools will not endure, is essential to success.
20. The benefits of good and evil of bad society are contrasted.
21. (Compare [Pr 11:31]).
good ... repaid--or, "He (God) will repay good."
22. wealth ... just--While good men's estates remain in their families, God so orders that the gains of sinners enure to the just (compare [Pr 28:8]; [Psa 37:18], [22, 26], &c.).
23. The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.
24. spareth--or, "withholds."
rod--of correction.
hateth--or, acts as if he hated him (compare [Pr 3:12]; ).
chasteneth ... betimes--or, "diligently seeks for him all useful discipline."
25. The comparative temporal prosperity of the righteous and wicked, rather than contentment and discontent, is noted.
Chapter 14
[Pr 14:1-35].
1. Every wise, &c.--literally, "The wisdoms" (compare [Pr 9:1]) "of women," plural, a distributive form of speech.
buildeth ... house--increases wealth, which the foolish, by mismanagement, lessen.
2. uprightness--is the fruit of fearing God, as falsehood and ill-nature ([Pr 2:15]; 3:32) of despising Him and His law.
3. rod of pride--that is, the punishment of pride, which they evince by their words. The words of the wise procure good to them.
4. crib is clean--empty; so "cleanness of teeth" denotes want of food (compare [Am 4:6]). Men get the proper fruit of their doings ([Ga 6:7]).
5. A faithful witness, &c.--one tested to be such.
utter lies--or, "breathe out lies"--that is, habitually lies ([Pr 6:19]; compare [Ac 9:1]). Or the sense is, that habitual truthfulness, or lying, will be evinced in witness-bearing.
6. An humble, teachable spirit succeeds in seeking ([Pr 8:9]; [Joh 7:17]; [Jas 1:5], ).
7. Avoid the society of those who cannot teach you.
8. Appearances deceive the thoughtless, but the prudent discriminate.
9. Fools make a mock at sin--or, "Sin deludes fools."
righteous ... favour--that is, of God, instead of the punishment of sin.
10. Each one best knows his own sorrows or joys.
11. (Compare [Pr 12:7]). The contrast of the whole is enhanced by that of house and tabernacle, a permanent and a temporary dwelling.
12. end thereof--or, "reward," what results (compare [Pr 5:4]).
ways of death--leading to it.
13. The preceding sentiment illustrated by the disappointments of a wicked or untimely joy.
14. filled ... ways--receive retribution ([Pr 1:31]).
a good man ... himself--literally, "is away from such," will not associate with him.
15. The simple ... word--He is credulous, not from love, but heedlessness ([Pr 13:16]).
16. (Compare [Pr 3:7]; ).
rageth--acts proudly and conceitedly.
17. He ... angry--literally, "short of anger" (compare [Pr 14:29], opposite idea).
man ... hated--that is, the deliberate evildoer is more hated than the rash.
18. inherit--as a portion (compare [Pr 3:35]).
are crowned--literally, "are surrounded with it," abound in it.
19. Describes the humbling of the wicked by the punishment their sins incur.
20. This sad but true picture of human nature is not given approvingly, but only as a fact.
21. For such contempt of the poor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of the good.