Wesley's Notes on the Bible A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 11:1 A false balance - The use of all false weights and measures in commerce.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead. 11:8 Cometh - Into trouble.
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 11:9 Delivered - From the infection of the hypocrite's evil counsel.
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 11:11 The blessing - Wherewith they bless the city, by their sincere prayers, and wise and wholesome counsels. The mouth - By their curses, and oaths, and blasphemies, and wicked counsels.
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 11:12 Despiseth - Which he shews by contemptuous or reproachful expressions. Holdeth peace - Forbears all such expressions, and silently and patiently bears those reproaches.
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 11:13 Secrets - Such things as were committed to his trust with a charge of secrecy.
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches. 11:16 Gracious woman - A woman endued with the grace of God. Retaineth - Or, holdeth fast her honour, or reputation.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 11:18 Worketh - A work which will deceive his expectation. Soweth - That worketh it with constancy, and diligence.
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 11:21 Though hand join - Though they are fortified against God's judgments by a numerous issue and kindred, and friends, and by mutual and strong combinations. The seed - Not only their persons, but their children.
As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. 11:22 So is a fair woman without discretion - Of beauty vain, of virtue void, What art thou in the sight of God? A slave to every base desire, A creature wallowing in the mire. Go, gaudy pageant of a day, Thy folly, with thy face display: Set all thy charms and graces out, And shew - the Jewel in thy snout!
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 11:23 The desire - The desires and expectations of the righteous shall end in their happiness, but the desires and expectations of the wicked men shall be disappointed, and end in the wrath of God.
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 11:24 Scattereth - That gives liberally. Increaseth - Through God's blessing upon his estate. Poverty - By God's providence secretly blasting his estate.
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 11:25 Fat - Shall be enriched both with temporal and spiritual blessings.
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 11:26 With - holdeth corn - In a time of scarcity. Selleth - Upon reasonable terms.
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 11:27 Seeketh - To do good to all men. Favour - With God and men.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 11:29 Troubleth - He who brings trouble upon himself and children, either by prodigality, or by restless endeavours to heap up riches. Wind - Shall be as unable to keep what he gets as a man is to hold the wind in his hand.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 11:30 The fruit - His discourses and his whole conversation, is like the fruit of the tree of life. Winneth - That gains souls to God.
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner. 11:31 Recompensed - Punished for his sins. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
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