Geneva Study Bible Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Every wise woman {a} buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
(a) That is, takes pains to profit her family, and to do that which concerns her duty in her house. He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. He that walketh in his {b} uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
(b) That is, in uprightness of heart, and without hypocrisy. In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. In the mouth of the foolish is a {c} rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
(c) His proud tongue will cause him to be punished. Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Where no {d} oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
(d) By the ox is meant labour, and by the crib the barn, meaning, without labour there is no profit. A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. A faithful witness will not lie: but {e} a false witness will utter lies.
(e) For the maintenance of his own ambition, and not for God's glory, as Simon Magus. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. Fools make a mock at {f} sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
(f) Does not know the grievousness of it, nor God's judgments against the same. The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. The heart knoweth its own {g} bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with its joy.
(g) As a man's conscience is witness to his own grief, so another cannot feel the joy and comfort which a man feels in himself. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; {h} and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
(h) He shows the allurement to sin, that it seems sweet, but the end of it is destruction. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. The backslider in heart {i} shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
(i) He who forsakes God will be punished, and made weary of his sins, in which he delighted. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The evil bow before the good; and the wicked {k} at the gates of the righteous.
(k) If this come not daily to pass, we must consider that it is because of our sins, which hinder God's workings. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. In the multitude of {l} people is the king's honour: but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
(l) That is, the strength of a king stands in many people. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is {m} in the midst of fools is made known.
(m) Forasmuch as they are convicted by it, and silenced. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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