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| 1 These also, are proverbs of Solomon,–which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed. |
There are also – Chapters 25 to 29 were collected and added later by King Hezekiah. R1518:2
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| 2 The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing. |
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| 3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched. |
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| 4 Remove the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel: |
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| 5 Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness. |
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| 6 Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand; |
Put not forth thyself – Ambition is a necessary faculty of the human mind, but a very dangerous element as respects the formation of Christian character. R3832:2
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| 7 For better it be said to thee, Come up hither,–than that thou be put lower down before a noble, whom thine own eyes, have beheld. |
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| 8 Do not go forth to strive in haste,–lest [thou know not] what to do in the latter end thereof, when thy neighbour, hath put thee to shame. |
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| 9 Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal: |
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| 10 Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away. |
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| 11 Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion. |
A word fitly spoken – What a power the tongue has for good. OV208:4
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| 12 A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing ear. |
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| 13 As the cold of snow in the day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him,–when, the life of his masters, he restoreth. |
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| 14 Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift. |
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| 15 By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone. |
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| 16 Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth. |
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| 17 Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour,–lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee. |
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| 18 A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour. |
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| 19 A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger. |
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| 20 As splendour of dress on a cold day–vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad heart. |
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| 21 If he that hateth thee hunger, give him bread to eat, and, if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; |
If thine enemy – Although, if destitute, we should feed them; yet so long as they are the adversaries of the Lord's cause, they are our adversaries, and we are theirs. R1861:4
Give him bread – If love so broad and comprehensive was obligatory upon natural Israel, to what degree should spiritual Israel possess and manifest this noble quality? R5643:6
Not to see how badly you can make him feel, but because love is the principle of your nature. R2214:6
Illustrated by Elisha's feast to the Syrians who came to take him captive. (2 Kings 6:22, 23) R3441:5
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| 22 For, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head,–and, Yahweh, will repay thee. |
Fire upon his head – Make him ashamed of his conduct in contrast with yours. R3830:3
Many a man, like Nero, when awakened, will be greatly humiliated by the generous forgiveness of formerly injured fellow-men. R1655:1
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| 23 A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue. |
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| 24 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common. |
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| 25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country. |
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| 26 A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless. |
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| 27 To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing. |
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| 28 A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit. |
No rule – A will-less man is a good-for-naught. OV196:T
A lawless disposition, the spirit of anarchy. R5487:6
Indecision and lack of character in little things (irregularity in arising and indecision as to proper foods) affect all the greater things of life. R5653:4
"A wise man sometimes changes his mind; a fool, never." Ruling our own spirit does not mean that we are to go to extremes. R5653:4
One who yields to sin and various weaknesses and assaults of the Adversary has lost his real manhood. R4789:6
If we rule our mind and our thoughts we shall rule our tongue. R5488:2
His own spirit – The impulses of one's native mind, disposition. R5488:1,5, R5652:6
In creating man God gave him a will; but it needs to be defended and kept in repair. R4789:3
The will is to be continually on guard over the mind, to allow nothing to enter except through the regular gates of conscience and judgment. R5653:1
A city – One's will; the will governs the mind and conduct. R5488:5, R5489:1
Whether our wills are strong or weak, they need direction. R5487:3
In olden times cities were particularly places of refuge and had strong walls. R5487:3
Broken down – Not from visible forces alone, but by evil spirits subduing and breaking down the will. R4789:6
Even failures, subsequently recognized, lead to greater fortification of the will. R4790:4
Without walls – Open to attack. R5487:3
Would invite attack and be certain to meet disaster sometime, as would a broken-down human will. R5653:1
No will, no self-control. R4789:3, R5653:1
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