Geneva Study Bible These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the {a} men of Hezekiah king of Judah {b} copied out.
(a) Whom Hezekiah appointed for this purpose. (b) That is, gathered out of various books of Solomon. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. It is the glory of God to {c} conceal a thing: but the honour of {d} kings is to search out a matter.
(c) God does not reveal the cause of his judgments to man. (d) Because the king rules by the revealed word of God, the cause of his doings must appear, and therefore he must use diligence in trying causes. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of {e} kings is unsearchable.
(e) He shows that it is too hard for man to attain the reason of all the secret doings of the king, even when he is upright and does his duty. Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. Take away the {f} dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.
(f) When vice is removed from a king, he is a meet vessel for the Lord's use. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. Take {g} away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
(g) It is not enough that he is pure himself, but that he put away others who are corrupted. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamy {h} turn not away.
(h) Lest while you think by this means to have an end of the matter, it put you to further trouble. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. As the cold of snow {i} in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
(i) In the time of great heat, when men desire cold. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. Whoever boasteth himself of a false gift is like {k} clouds and wind without rain.
(k) Which have an outward appearance, and are nothing within. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. By long {l} forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the {m} bone.
(l) By not creating opportunity to provoke him further. (m) That is, the heart that is bent to anger, as in Pr 15:1. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is {n} sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled with it, and vomit it.
(n) Use moderately the pleasures of this world. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon {o} soda, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
(o) Which melts it, and consumes it. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. For thou shalt heap {p} coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
(p) You will, as if by force, overcome him, in so much that his own conscience will move him to acknowledge the benefits, and his heart will be inflamed. The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is {q} broken down, and without walls. (q) And so is in extreme danger. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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