Proverbs 13

Pr 13:1-25.

1. (Compare

Pr 6:1-5; 10:1, 17).

2. shall eat--that is, obtain

(Pr 12:14).

transgressors--as in

Pr 2:22.

violence--or, "mischief" to themselves.

3. He . . . mouth . . . life--because evil speeches may provoke

violence from others.

he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction--On last clause,

compare

Pr 10:14.

4. (Compare

Pr 12:11, 27).

5. loathsome . . . shame--better, causeth shame and reproach (compare

Pr 19:26),

6. A sentiment of frequent recurrence, that piety benefits and sin

injures.

7. In opposite ways men act hypocritically for gain of honor or wealth.

8. Riches save some from punishment, while others suffer because they

will not heed the rebuke of sloth, which makes and keeps them poor.

9. light . . . lamp--prosperity; the first, the greater, and it

rejoiceth--burns brightly, or continues, while the other, at best

small, soon fails.

10. The obstinacy which attends self-conceit, produces contention,

which the well-advised, thus evincing modesty, avoid.

11. by vanity--or, "nothingness," that is, which is vain or useless

to the public (as card playing or similar vices).

gathereth . . . labour--(Compare Margin), little by little,

laboriously.

12. desire cometh--is realized.

a tree of life--or, "cause of happiness."

13. the word--that is, of advice, or, instruction (compare

Pr 10:27; 11:31).

14. (Compare

Pr 10:11).

fountain--or, "source of life."

to depart--(compare

Pr 1:2-4),

or, "for departing," &c., and so gives life.

15. Right perception and action secure good will, while evil ways

are difficult as a stony road. The wicked left of God find punishment of

sin in sinning.

hard--or, "harsh" (compare Hebrew:

De 21:4;

Jer 5:15).

16. dealeth--acts with foresight.

a fool . . . folly--for want of caution.

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; 12:1).

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;

Ps 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; 8:36).

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.