Pr 15:1-33. 1. soft -- tender or gentle. turneth ... wrath -- from any one. stir up -- as a smouldering fire is excited. 2. useth ... aright -- commends knowledge by its proper use. poureth out -- utters abundantly (Pr 12:23), and so disgusts others. 3. beholding -- watching (compare Pr 5:21; Ps 66:7). 4. A wholesome tongue -- (Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language. tree of life -- (Pr 3:18; 11:30). perverseness therein -- cross, ill-natured language. breach ... spirit -- (compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing. 5. (Compare Pr 4:1; 10:17; 13:1-18). is prudent -- acts discreetly. 6. treasure -- implying utility. trouble -- vexation and affliction. 7. (Compare Pr 10:20, 21). heart ... not so -- not right, or vain. 8, 9. The sacrifice [and] prayer -- are acts of worship. way ... followeth ... righteousness -- denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Ps 50:17; Isa 1:11. 10. (Compare Pr 10:17). the way -- that in which God would have him to go (Pr 2:13; Ps 119:1). 11. Hell -- (Ps 16:10). destruction -- or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts. 12. (Compare Pr 9:8). go unto the wise -- to be instructed. 13. maketh ... countenance -- or, "benefits the countenance." spirit is broken -- and so the countenance is sad. 14. (Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9). 15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition. evil -- sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast. 16. trouble -- agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pr 16:18; 1Ti 6:6). 17. dinner -- or, "allowance" (2Ki 25:30) -- of herbs -- and that the plainest. and hatred -- (compare Pr 10:12, 18). 18. (Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32). 19. The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a plain [and open] way -- literally, "a highway," by diligence (1Sa 10:7; Ps 1:3). 20. (Compare Pr 10:1). 21. walketh uprightly -- and so finds his joy (Pr 3:6; 10:23). 22. Without counsel -- or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness. 23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver. 24. (Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils. 25. The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Pr 2:22; 12:7). border -- or, "boundary for possessions" (Ps 78:54). 26. are pleasant words -- that is, pleasing to God (Pr 8:8, 9). 27. (Compare Pr 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his. hateth gifts -- or, "bribes" (Ex 23:8; Ps 15:5), and is not avaricious. 28. (Compare Pr 15:14; 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly. 29. far ... wicked -- in His love and favor (Ps 22:11; 119:155). 30. light of the eyes -- (Pr 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so good report -- or, "doctrine" (Isa 28:9; 53:1), maketh ... fat -- or, "gives prosperity" (Pr 3:13-17; 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first. 31, 32. (Compare Pr 10:17). reproof of life -- which leads to life. abideth ... wise -- is numbered among them. 32. refuseth -- or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pr 1:25; 4:15). despiseth ... soul -- so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value. 33. The fear ... wisdom -- Wisdom instructs in true piety. before ... humility -- (compare Lu 24:26; 1Pe 1:11); opposite (compare Pr 16:18). |