Geneva Study Bible Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. Through desire a man, having {a} separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
(a) He who loves wisdom will separate himself from all impediments, and give himself wholly to seek it. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may {b} reveal itself.
(b) That is, that he may talk licentiously of whatever comes to mind. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also {c} contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
(c) Meaning, such a one as condemns all others. The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. The words of a man's mouth are as deep {d} waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
(d) Which can never be drawn empty, but always bring profit. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. It is not good to {e} accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
(e) That is, to favour him and support him. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the {f} innermost parts of the belly.
(f) They are soon believed and enter most deeply. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth {g} into it, and is safe.
(g) He shows the refuge of the godly against all trouble. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but {h} a wounded spirit who can bear?
(h) The mind can well bear the infirmity of the body, but when the spirit is wounded, it is hard to sustain. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. A man's gift {i} maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
(i) Gets him liberty to speak, and the favour of them that are esteemed. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. {k} He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
(k) He who speaks first, is best heard from the wicked judge, but when his adversary enquires out the matter it turns to his shame. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. The lot {l} causeth contentions to cease, and {m} parteth between the mighty.
(l) If a controversy cannot otherwise be decided, it is best to cast lots to know whose the thing will be. (m) Appeases their controversy, who are so stout that they cannot otherwise be pacified. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the {n} bars of a castle.
(n) Which for the strength of it will not bow or yield. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that {o} love it shall eat the fruit of it.
(o) By the using the tongue well or evil, comes the fruit of it either good or bad. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Whoever findeth a {p} wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour from the LORD.
(p) He who is joined with a virtuous woman in marriage is blessed by the Lord, as in Pr 19:14. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer {q} than a brother. (q) That is, often such are found who are more ready to do pleasure, than he that is more bound by duty. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
    |