Mishle 19

1 9 Better is the poor that walketh in his tohm (integrity, guilelessness), than he that is perverse in his sfatayim (lips), and is a kesil (fool).

2 Also, that the nefesh (desire) be without da’as, it is not tov, and he that hasteth with his raglayim (feet) sinneth.

3 The folly of adam maketh his derech crooked, yet his lev rages against Hashem.

4 Wealth maketh many friends, but the dal (poor) is separated from his re’a (neighbor).

5 An ed shekarim (false witness) shall not go unpunished, and he that speaketh kezavim (lies) shall not escape.

6 Rabbim (many) will entreat the favor of the ruler, and every ish is the re’a (friend) to him that giveth mattan (gifts).

7 All the kin of the rahsh (pauper) do hate him; how much more does his friend avoid him? He pursueth them with words, yet they are not there.

8 He that getteth lev [of understanding] loveth his own nefesh; he that is shomer over tevunah (understanding) shall find tov.

9 An ed shekarim (false witness) shall not go unpunished, and he that speaketh kezavim (lies) shall perish.

10 Luxury is not fitting for a kesil (fool); much less for an eved to have rule over sarim.

11 The seichel adam deferreth his anger, and it is his tiferet (glory) to pass over a peysha (transgression).

12 The wrath of a melech is like the roaring of a lion, but his ratzon (favor) is as tal (dew) upon the esev (grass).

13 A ben kesil is the calamity of aviv (his father), and the contentions of an isha are a constant dripping [i.e., an irritant].

14 Bais and hon (wealth) are the nachalah avot, and a prudent isha (wife) is from Hashem.

15 Atzlah (slothfulness, laziness) casteth into a tardemah (deep sleep), and a nefesh remiyyah (a deceitfully lazy soul) shall suffer hunger.

16 He that is shomer over the mitzvah is shomer over his own nefesh, but he that is reckless in his drakhim shall die.

17 He that hath compassion on the dal (poor) lendeth unto Hashem; and for his benefits He will repay him.

18 Chasten binecha (thy son) while there is yet tikvah, and give not in to thy nefesh (desire) to kill him.

19 One of gadol chemah (great temper) shall bear onesh (punishment), for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

20 Hear etzah, and accept musar, that thou mayest be wise in thy acharit (latter end, future).

21 There are many plans in a lev ish; nevertheless it is the etzah of Hashem that shall stand.

22 The ta’avah (what is desirable) in an adam is his chesed, and a rahsh (pauper) is better than an ish kazav (liar).

23 The Yirat Hashem tendeth to chayyim, and he that hath it shall rest secure; he shall not be visited by rah.

24 An atzel (sluggard, lazy one) thrusteth his yad into his dish, and will not so much as bring it back to his peh (mouth) again.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn what is prudent, and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand da’as.

26 He that mistreateth his av, and driveth out his em, is a ben that causeth shame, and bringeth cherpah.

27 Cease, beni (my son), to hear musar and thou shalt go astray from the words of da’as.

28 An ed beliya’al (corrupt witness) scorneth mishpat (justice), and the peh (mouth) of the resha’im devoureth iniquity.

29 Shefatim (penalties, judgments) are prepared for scoffers, and for kesilim, beatings for the back.

Mishle 19 Commentary

Chapter 19

Verse 1 A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank. Verse 2 . What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet. Verse 3 . Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God. Verse 4 . Here we may see how strong is men's love of money. Verse 5 . Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness. Verse 6 . We are without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are fruits of his bounty. Verse 7 . Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty. Verse 8 . Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom. Verse 9 . Lying is a damning, destroying sin. Verse 10 . A man that has not wisdom and grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God's free-men. Verse 11 . He attains the most true glory who endeavours most steadily to overcome evil with good. Verse 12 . Christ is a King, whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion, and his favour to his people as the refreshing dew. Verse 13 . It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. Verse 14 . A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches. Verse 15 . A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come. Verse 16 . If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner. Verse 17 . God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom. Verse 18 . When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves. Verse 19 . The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath. Verse 20 . Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young. Verse 21 . What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy will? Verse 22 . It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it. Verse 23 . Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness. Verse 24 . Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves. Verse 25 . A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding. Verse 26 . The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace. Verse 27 . It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind. Verse 28 . Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin. Verse 29 . The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners?

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 8

This chapter gives an account of the introduction of the ark into the temple, 1Ki 8:1-9 of the glory of the Lord filling it, 1Ki 8:10,11 of a speech Solomon made to the people concerning the building of the temple, and how he came to be engaged in it, 1Ki 8:12-21, of a prayer of his he put up on this occasion, requesting, that what supplications soever were made at any time, or on any account, by Israelites or strangers, might be accepted by the Lord, 1Ki 8:22-53, and of his blessing the people of Israel at the close of it, with some useful exhortations, 1Ki 8:54-61, and of the great number of sacrifices offered up by him, and the feast he made for the people, upon which he dismissed them, 1Ki 8:62-66.