Geneva Study Bible Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? Doth not {a} wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
(a) Solomon declares that man is the cause of his own perdition and that he cannot pretend ignorance, for God calls all men by his word and his works to follow virtue and flee from vice. She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. They are all {c} plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
(c) Meaning that the word of God is easy to all that have a desire for it and are not blinded by the prince of this world. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. I wisdom dwell with {d} prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion.
(d) That is, unless a man has wisdom, which is the true knowledge of God, he can be neither a prudent nor good counsellor. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. The fear of the LORD is to hate {e} evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate.
(e) So that he who does not hate evil, does not fear God. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me {f} kings reign, and princes decree justice.
(f) By which he declares that honours, dignities or riches do not come from man's wisdom or industry, but by the providence of God. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. I love them that love me; and those that seek me {g} early shall find me.
(g) That is, study the word of God diligently, and with a desire to profit. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. Riches and honour are with me; {h} durable riches and righteousness.
(h) Signifying that he chiefly means the spiritual treasures and heavenly riches. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of {i} judgment:
(i) For there can be no true justice or judgment, which is not rejected by this wisdom. That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, {k} before his works of old.
(k) He declares by this the divinity and eternity of this wisdom, which he magnifies and praises through this book: meaning by this the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ our Saviour, whom John calls the Word that was in the beginning Joh 1:1. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. {l} I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
(l) He declares the eternity of the Son of God, who was before all time, and ever present with the father. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Then I was by him, {m} as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
(m) Some read, a chief worker signifying that this wisdom, Christ Jesus, was equal with God his father, and created, preserves and still works with him, as in Joh 5:17. Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. {n} Rejoicing in the habitable part of {o} his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
(n) By which is declared that the work of the creation was no pain, but a solace to the wisdom of God. (o) By earth he means men, which is the work of God in whom wisdom took pleasure: in that as for man's sake the divine wisdom took man's nature, and dwelt among us, and filled us with unspeakable treasures, and this is the solace and pastime of which is here spoken. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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