Proverbs 17

1 melior est buccella sicca cum gaudio quam domus plena victimis cum iurgio

2 servus sapiens dominabitur filiis stultis et inter fratres hereditatem dividet

3 sicut igne probatur argentum et aurum camino ita corda probat Dominus

4 malus oboedit linguae iniquae et fallax obtemperat labiis mendacibus

5 qui despicit pauperem exprobrat factori eius et qui in ruina laetatur alterius non erit inpunitus

6 corona senum filii filiorum et gloria filiorum patres sui

7 non decent stultum verba conposita nec principem labium mentiens

8 gemma gratissima expectatio praestolantis quocumque se verterit prudenter intellegit

9 qui celat delictum quaerit amicitias qui altero sermone repetit separat foederatos

10 plus proficit correptio apud prudentem quam centum plagae apud stultum

11 semper iurgia quaerit malus angelus autem crudelis mittetur contra eum

12 expedit magis ursae occurrere raptis fetibus quam fatuo confidenti sibi in stultitia sua

13 qui reddit mala pro bonis non recedet malum de domo eius

14 qui dimittit aquam caput est iurgiorum et antequam patiatur contumeliam iudicium deserit

15 et qui iustificat impium et qui condemnat iustum abominabilis est uterque apud Dominum

16 quid prodest habere divitias stultum cum sapientiam emere non possit

17 omni tempore diligit qui amicus est et frater in angustiis conprobatur

18 homo stultus plaudet manibus cum spoponderit pro amico suo

19 qui meditatur discordiam diligit rixas et qui exaltat ostium quaerit ruinam

20 qui perversi cordis est non inveniet bonum et qui vertit linguam incidet in malum

21 natus est stultus in ignominiam suam sed nec pater in fatuo laetabitur

22 animus gaudens aetatem floridam facit spiritus tristis exsiccat ossa

23 munera de sinu impius accipit ut pervertat semitas iudicii

24 in facie prudentis lucet sapientia oculi stultorum in finibus terrae

25 ira patris filius stultus et dolor matris quae genuit eum

26 non est bonum damnum inferre iusto nec percutere principem qui recta iudicat

27 qui moderatur sermones suos doctus et prudens est et pretiosi spiritus vir eruditus

28 stultus quoque si tacuerit sapiens putabitur et si conpresserit labia sua intellegens

Proverbs 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

Verse 1 These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. Verse 2 . The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son. Verse 3 . God tries the heart by affliction. He thus has often shown the sin remaining in the heart of the believer. Verse 4 . Flatterers, especially false teachers, are welcome to those that live in sin. Verse 5 . Those that laugh at poverty, treat God's providence and precepts with contempt. Verse 6 . It is an honour to children to have wise and godly parents continued to them, even after they are grown up and settled in the world. Verse 7 . A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it. Verse 8 . Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts! Verse 9 . The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves. Verse 10 . A gentle reproof will enter, not only into the head, but into the heart of a wise man. Verse 11 . Satan, and the messengers of Satan, shall be let loose upon an evil man. Verse 12 . Let us watch over our own passions, and avoid the company of furious men. Verse 13 . To render evil for good is devilish. He that does so, brings a curse upon his family. Verse 14 . What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin. Verse 15 . It is an offence to God to acquit the guilty, or to condemn those who are not guilty. Verse 16 . Man's neglect of God's favour and his own interest is very absurd. Verse 17 . No change of outward circumstances should abate our affection for our friends or relatives. But no friend, except Christ, deserves unlimited confidence. In Him this text did receive, and still receives its most glorious fulfilment. Verse 18 . Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond. Verse 19 . If we would keep a clear conscience and a quiet mind, we must shun all excitements to anger. And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin. Verse 20 . There is nothing got by ill designs. And many have paid dear for an unbridled tongue. Verse 21 . This speaks very plainly what many wise and good men feel very strongly, how grievous it is to have a foolish, wicked child. Verse 22 . It is great mercy that God gives us leave to be cheerful, and cause to be cheerful, if by his grace he gives us hearts to be cheerful. Verse 23 . The wicked are ready to part with their money, though loved, that they may not suffer for their crimes. Verse 24 . The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness. Verse 25 . Wicked children despise the authority of their father, and the tenderness of their mother. Verse 26 . It is very wrong to find fault ( proverbs 17:27-28 ) wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 7

This chapter gives an account of some buildings of Solomon for himself, 1Ki 7:1-12; and of other things for the use of the temple; of two pillars of brass, 1Ki 7:13-22; of the molten sea, 1Ki 7:23-26; and of ten bases, and ten layers on them, 1Ki 7:27-39; with other utensils and ornaments, 1Ki 7:40-51.