Therefore the prudent shall keep silence at that
time
Not the prophets of the Lord, whose business it was at all times
to reprove, and not hold their peace, let the consequence be what
it would; though the Targum calls them teachers; but private
persons, whose wisdom it would be to say nothing; since reproof
would do no good to these persons, and they would bring a great
deal of hatred ill will, and trouble upon themselves as well as
would hear the name of God blasphemed, which would be very
afflictive to them: or the sense is, they would not speak to God
on the behalf of these wicked men, knowing the decree was gone
forth; nor say one murmuring word at it, believing it was in
righteousness; and being struck also with the awfulness of God's
righteous judgments: for it [is] an evil time;
in which sin abounded, and miseries and calamities on account of
it.