Proverbs 25:24

25:19. Confidence in an unfaithful man is painful and vexatious; when we put any stress on him, he not only fails, but makes us feel for it. 20. We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavouring to make them merry. 21,22. The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies. 23. Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly. 24. It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life. 25. Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is good news from thence, in the everlasting gospel, which signifies glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God's children! 26. When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned. 27. We must be, through grace, dead to the pleasures of sense, and also to the praises of men. 28. The man who has no command over his anger, is easily robbed of peace. Let us give up ourselves to the Lord, and pray him to put his Spirit within us, and cause us to walk in his statutes.

beareth … witness —literally, "answereth questions," as before a judge, against his neighbor. 19. Treachery annoys as well as deceives. 20. Not only is the incongruity of songs (that is, joyful) and sadness meant, but an accession of sadness, by want of sympathy, is implied. 21, 22. (Compare Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:20). As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness. 23. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth (Psalms 90:2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger." 24. (Compare Proverbs 21:9, 19). 25. (Compare Proverbs 25:13). good news —that is, of some loved interest or absent friend, the more grateful as coming from afar. 26. From troubled fountains and corrupt springs no healthy water is to be had, so when the righteous are oppressed by the wicked, their power for good is lessened or destroyed. 27. Satiety surfeits (Proverbs 25:16); so men who are self-glorious find shame. is not glory —"not" is supplied from the first clause, or "is grievous," in which sense a similar word is used (Proverbs 27:2). 28. Such are exposed to the incursions of evil thoughts and successful temptations. ## CHAPTER 26 Proverbs 26:1-28. 1. The incongruities of nature illustrate also those of the moral world. The fool's unworthiness is also implied (Proverbs 17:7; 19:10). 2. Though not obvious to us, the bird —literally, "sparrow"—and ## swallow —have an object in their motions, so penal evil falls on none without a reason. 3.

meddleth —as in Proverbs 20:19; 24:21; as either holding a dog by the ears or letting him go involves danger, so success in another man's strife or failure involves a useless risk of reputation, does no good, and may do us harm. 18, 19. Such are reckless of results. 20, 21. The talebearers foster (Proverbs 16:28), and the contentious excite, strife. 22. (Compare Proverbs 18:8). 23. Warm professions can no more give value to insincerity than silver coating to rude earthenware. 24. dissembleth —though an unusual sense of the word (compare Margin ), is allowable, and better suits the context, which sets forth hypocrisy. 25. Sentiment of Proverbs 26:24 carried out. seven abominations in his heart —that is, very many (compare Proverbs 24:16). 26, 27. Deceit will at last be exposed, and the wicked by their own arts often bring on retribution (compare Proverbs 12:13; Psalms 7:16; 9:17, &c.). 28. Men hate those they injure. A lying tongue —"lips" for the persons (compare Proverbs 4:24; Psalms 12:3). ## CHAPTER 27 Proverbs 27:1-27. 1. Do not confide implicitly in your plans (Proverbs 16:9; 19:21; James 4:13-15). 2. Avoid self-praise. 3. heavy —The literal sense of "heavy," applied to material subjects, illustrates its figurative, "grievous," applied to moral. a fool's wrath —is unreasonable and excessive. 4. envy —or, "jealousy" (compare Margin; Proverbs 6:34), is more unappeasable than the simpler bad passions. 5, 6.