THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
CHAPTER 9-13
CHAPTER 9
Wisdom's Invitation
Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest places of the city,
4 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here! As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5 Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding.
7 He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only
harms himself.
8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
VERSE 7 AND 8 HAVE TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS “GENERAL” STATEMENTS; THERE CAN BE A TIME, THE RIGHT TIME [HENCE WISDOM] THAT A SCOFFER AND WICKED PERSON NEED TO BE REBUKED. THEN OTHER TIMES A SCOFFER AND A WICKED PERSON WILL BRING HARM TO YOU. THE WISE PERSON WILL WANT TO BE CORRECTED WHEN WRONG, AND THEY WILL LOVE THOSE WHO CORRECT - Keith Hunt
9 Give Instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself [it will be good to you - Keith Hunt] and if you scoff, you will bear it alone [ general statement - if you scoff when in the utter wrong, at those who are correct, you will be all alone to bear the ignominy (shame, disgrace) - Keith Hunt]
13 A foolish woman is clamorous [boisterous - mrg.] She is simple, and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat by the highest places of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their way:
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here"; and as for him who lacks understanding,
she says to him,
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
18 But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell
[or Sheol, which is death - Keith Hunt].
……
From the New KJV Study Bible
9:1-18 These verses treat three themes with equal balance. Verses 1-6 describe the appeal of the good woman, wisdom. Verses 7-12 show the response of a wise man and a fool to wisdom. Verses 13-18 picture the call of folly, personified in the foolish immoral woman.
9:1 Wisdom's house is sound and well built. Seven represents perfection. It will not fall (see Matt. 7:24-27).
9:3 Both wisdom and folly make'a public call from the highest places (see vv. 14,15). But there is no deception or secretiveness behind the call from wisdom (see vv. 17, 18 and note).
9:4-6 Wisdom and folly issue similar calls (see vv. 14-16). Both profess to help a young person "grow up." But wisdom brings maturity while folly deteriorates life. The one calls for open commitment; the other offers secret pleasures at no cost (v. 17).
9:7-9 The scoffer mocks the very principles of morality. He cannot be instructed and hurls his shame back upon the one who would correct him. The wise man accepts correction and grows wiser.
9:10,11 The fear of the Lord: Living in the light of God's commands is health; it prolongs the lives of many. See note on 3:16 and "The Fear of the Lord" at Gen. 20:11.
9:12 As folly destroys its follower, so wisdom benefits the wise: you are wise for your own profit.
9:13-16 To choose folly is to accept the seduction of a foolish (immoral) woman (7:5). Like wisdom, she too offers to teach the simple (see v. 4).
9:17,18 The seductress operates in secret ways and in dishonesty. Her guests die (v. 18); wisdom's guests live.
(v. 6).
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CHAPTER 10
The Value of Wisdom
The proverbs of Solomon:
1 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
WISE ALSO MAKES GLAD THE MOTHER; FOOLISH GRIEVE THE FATHER ALSO. THIS IS IN THE CONTEXT OF FATHER AND MOTHER WALKING IN THE WAY OF THE LORD - Keith Hunt
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.
IN THE LONG TERM OF ETERNITY WICKEDNESS WILL NOT PROFIT; RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL DELIVER FROM THE SECOND DEATH. SO IT IS THE LONG TERM OF THINGS THAT COUNTS, FOR WICKEDNESS CAN PROFIT IN THE PHYSICAL LIFE AT TIMES, AND SOMETIMES THE RIGHTEOUS HAVE BEEN PUT TO DEATH IN PERSECUTION - Keith Hunt
3 The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked.
GENERAL STATEMENTS - THE RIGHTEOUS DO AT TIMES HAVE BAD TIMES IN THE PHYSICAL [SEE HEBREWS 11], AND SOMETIMES THE DESIRE OF THE WICKED DOES COME TO PASS - Keith Hunt
4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
USUALLY THE SLACK HANDED PERSON DOES NOT GAIN WEALTH [UNLESS THEY WIN THE LOTTERY OR INHERIT SOME FORTUNE], AND THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT MAKES RICH, IN THE SENSE OF LIVING A DECENT PHYSICAL LIFE, MEETING THE PAYMENT OF BILLS ETC. GOD IS NOT SAYING TEACHING HERE THE “PROSPERITY GOSPEL” THAT SOME TEACH; BEING “RICH” IS A SEMANTIC WORD - PAUL, PETER, JOHN, NEVER BECAME ‘RICH’ IN THE PHYSICAL WAY MANY WANT TO INTERPRET THIS WORD -Keith Hunt
5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
IT IS WISE TO SAVE WHEN TIMES ARE GOOD; IT’S UNWISE TO BE SLEEPING IN YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE, WHEN THE HARVEST IS GOOD TO BE WISE WITH PHYSICAL THINGS, WHEN “TIMES ARE GOOD” - BE WISE WITH YOUR PHYSICAL LIFE. GOD EXPECTS HIS CHILDREN TO BE WISE IN USING THE PHYSICAL THINGS YOU HAVE, WHEN TIMES ARE GOOD - Keith Hunt
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
GENERALLY, WHEN LIVING THE RIGHT GODLY WAY, YOU WILL HAVE MANY BLESSINGS; BUT THE WICKED TEND TO SAY WICKED THINGS, AND SO OFTEN VIOLENCE COMES THEIR WAY - Keith Hunt
7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
MOST ENJOY HEARING ABOUT “GOOD” PEOPLE, PEOPLE MENTORS FOR OTHERS. BUT THE WICKED MOST OF THE TIME, ARE FORGOTTEN AND NOT REMEMBERED. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A NAME LIKE ADOLPH HITER TO BE REMEMBERED - Keith Hunt
8 The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall.
IF YOU ARE WISE AND RECEIVING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS. YOU ARE INDEED ON THE CORRECT PATHWAY; BUT FOOLS TEND TO PAY NO ATTENTION, AND WALK, ON TO FALL IN THE BRAMBLE BUSH.
Keith Hunt
9 He who walks with integrity walks securely [sure keeps you out of a lot of troubles, that many who do not walk with integrity find coming their way - Keith Hunt].
But he who perverts his ways will become known [yes it usually comes out and people know and pass it on - Keith Hunt]
10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble, but a prating fool will fall [obviously this is the wrong winking with the eye, the intent of the heart is bad. A fool is one step further, their whole life is foolishness that usually find them falling on their nose - Keith Hunt[
11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked [as the mind is so speaks the mouth, the righteous (Psalm 119:172) bring forth good words; the wicked in heart, the opposite of righteousness, can often end up in in physical violence; they speak and act in the context that can end in violence - Keith Hunt]
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins [we are witness to what hatred does, on the news each day…..strife and often killings. Love knows when to not broadcast sins; there is a time that sins must be declared, but at other times love must cover them over. Wisdom and God’s word tells you when and how. My study “Church Disfellowshipping” under my section Church Government, shows you how to apply love and sin - Keith Hunt]
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding [wisdom in living with the correct mind and voice, is truly understanding how to live; but those who do not have it, can get into troubles where physical penalties are handed out. Singapore has laws that if you break you can literally get the cane - Keith Hunt]
14 Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction [using wisdom correctly knowledge will come with it, you learn more how to handle things by being wise; the mouth speaks as the mind is, and so foolishness is not far from the destruction of many aspects of life. How many times have you heard people saying “I ended up in this mess because I was so foolish” - Keith Hunt]
15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty [the physical rich can lord it over their subjects or employees; they do not realize or contemplate it is largely to do with their common workers that helped them get rich; so if the relatively poor and/or average worker is not there, the ones who got rich on their back, they themselves will see poverty - Keith Hunt]
16 The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin [living in, working in righteousness will usually bring forth a good life, certain in the long run it will be life instead of death. Not that we can use good works to inherit eternal life, but God will not give eternal life through grace and faith to those who work/live wickedly, for all they bring forth is sin, and Paul said, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) - Keith Hunt]
17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray [God can only give eternal life to those who can be led to keep instruction. God instructs that repentance is needed to have eternal life; but those that refuse to be instructed are on the wrong path, and can not have life eternal. Even in this physical life willing to be instructed and follow the right way, gives a better life than those who will not be instructed to their own folly - Keith Hunt]
18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool [if you are going to hide your hatred from people, sooner or later you will have to lie; spreading untruths about people will come back on you, for what your doing people will discern eventually, and you end up with people against you, thinking your a very foolish person; you will have very few friends, if any - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
10:1—22:16 The value and the practice of wisdom are encouraged throughout these chapters. No organization of the material under specific themes is apparent.
10:1—15:33 This section of the book is characterized by proverbs which contrast wise and foolish behavior. There is a recurring use of the word but to set the one against the other.
10:1 proverbs of Solomon: See note on 1:1-7 and Introduction: Author.
10:2 Treasures of wickedness are acquired by unjust or immoral means. Righteousness is our security against the ultimate threat of death.
10:4,5 Hard work and diligence produce both material gain and moral character.
10:6, 7 Violence fills the speech of an evil person (see v. 11); therefore, the memory of him will be an unpleasant thing.
10:8 A prating fool talks big, but eventually comes to shame.
10:9 will become known: as Moses warned Israel about breaking God's command, "Be sure your sins will find you out" (Num. 32:23).
10:10 winks with the eye: A sign of insincerity (see 16:30).
10:12 Love soothes and calms differences; it does not stress them. The result is reconciliation and peace. See 1 Cor. 13:4-7.
10:13 Force sometimes awakens the fool and results in understanding.
10:14 mouth ... near destruction: In contrast to the wise man, the foolish talk before they understand.
10:15 Wealth cannot satisfy every need, but poverty often encourages crime and destruction of persons.
……
19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise [Paul condemned the busybody, always talking, to no good end, there’s a time to refrain from talking too much, it often ends up sliding down into sin. James chapter two expounds on this proverb - Keith Hunt]
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little [a contrast between goodness and wickedness - Keith Hunt]
21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom [the righteous know how to help others; the fools have no such discernment, for lack of wisdom - Keith Hunt]
22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [certainly a general statement - for the fact is some Christians do not become “rich” in the physical life, and they can have sorrow. But the Lord blesses in the spiritual, and so is rich; the sorrow that comes is bearable - Keith Hunt]
23 To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom [the wise person knows the end result of evil is not good; but the foolish think of it as a sport to do evil, their mind lacks even common sense - Keith Hunt]
24 The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted [often but not always, the wicked get what they know can come their way from the authorities; if they reject salvation they will know the second death awaits them. The desire of those living within God’s law, living by God’s every word, the righteous, will have their desire of eternal life. Their desire in the here and now may be granted as the NT says, if we ask according to His will. For both the wicked and the righteous in the now, has to be understood as a general statement - Keith Hunt]
25 When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation [in the here and now, in the physical, this is also a general statement; in the spiritual end result, the wicked will be no more, and the righteous will have the foundation of eternal life - Keith Hunt]
26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy man to those who send him [it is not a good thing for the hirer to have a lazy man working for him; and it is not good for the sender, to hire out a lazy man; your business will not last long if your hired out hands are lazy….a bad reputation flies around like a house on fire - Keith Hunt]
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened [a very general statement, for we know not all of God’s children do not live long lives; and the years of the wicked are not always shortened. This is certainly a proverb that shows the Bible uses “general statements” - actually many of the proverbs are in the general statement category - Keith Hunt]
28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish [once more the end result in the long term will be such; it does not always work this way in this physical life. We should not think all Christians will have a “charmed life” - gladness and a big party all the time; what the wicked hope for some do see it happen - Keith Hunt]
29 The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity [again in the long term at the end of it all, the upright will be eternally strong, the workers of iniquity shall be destroyed in the second death - Keith Hunt]
30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth [this is most definitely looking at the end result of the plan of God for mankind on this earth; and note the truth that it is this earth that the righteous inherit, as proved by many studies on this website - Keith Hunt]
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out [a way of saying the righteous and their wise tongue will prevail over the perverse tongue, not always in this life, but at the end of it all, when the Eternal’s plan for mankind is complete the righteous tongue will prevail over the perverse tongue - Keith Hunt]
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse [as the mind so the mouth speaks; the righteous know what righteousness is (Psalm 119: 172), so what is acceptable to God; the mind and mouth of the wicked is twisted and perverse - Keith Hunt]
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CHAPTER 11
Wickedness Is Folly
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight [honest businesses are God’s delight - Keith Hunt]
2 When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom [many a person has fallen into sin and shame from getting a big head through human proudness; the ones who stay humble are using wisdom - Keith Hunt]
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them [keeping integrity and humbleness in serving the Lord will guide and keep them in the right path; but the unfaithful in God’s ways will in the end destroy them - Keith Hunt]
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death [when the day of God’s wrath comes to earth all the physical riches will not profit; the righteous (Ps. 119: 172) who have Jesus as personal Saviour, and obey the commandments of God will be delivered from the second death, for the righteous are not always in this life delivered from death from persecution etc. Keith Hunt]
5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his
own wickedness [ walking with God in righteousness will lead to walking aright; the wicked often fall by their wickedness in this life, and staying wicked will in the end pay them the ultimate fall into the second death - Keith Hunt]
6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust [being righteous now does not always deliver you (Hebrews 11) from hardships and/or persecution even unto death - in the end they will be delivered from eternal death; the unrepentant unfaithful with their lusts will be caught in the end, and suffer destruction for all eternity - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
10:19-21 Three proverbs which meditate on the connection between the lips and the heart (see center-column note on v. 21). The words of the righteous are beneficial to others because they come from a heart that has wisdom.
10:22 The Lord gives riches that bring no regrets.,
10:23 He is a fool who gets his enjoyment from doing evil. 10:24, 25 God is on the side of the righteous. The wicked who do not repent must finally perish. See vv. 27-30; Ps. 1:6
10:26 The lazy man is trouble, not help, to those who would employ him.
10:30 never be removed ... not inhabit: On this contrast see 2:21, 22 and note.
10:31, 32 Living righteous lives helps develop straight thinking and consequently acceptable speech.
11:1 Dishonest scales did not show true weight. This social and economic abuse is condemned throughout the OT (see Mic. 6:11 and note). God is a God of truth.
11:4 Righteousness delivers from death because righteousness pleases God; riches do not endear one to Him.
……
7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of the unjust perishes [most wicked persons know there is no good reward for them as their life comes to an end - Keith Hunt]
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, and it comes to the wicked instead [ certainly a general statement here; the righteous are not always delivered from troubles, the apostle Paul surely was not; and trouble does not always come to the wicked, so a general statement - Keith Hunt]
9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered [ the hypocrite in many ways can destroy those near to him; those who are righteous in life and have knowledge will so have wisdom, which can often deliver them from many troubles - a general statement for the righteous are not always delivered…..if the apostle Paul was here he would surely tell you so, from experience - Keith Hunt]
10 When it goes well with the righteous the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation [ if a city was to follow God in all ways, truly there would be rejoicing; as the wicked would become less and less, people would be in jubilation - Keith Hunt]
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked
[if the wicked increase in the city; if by word of mouth the wicked increase, and evil is passed on from one to another, the one time exalted in uprightness city, will be overcome by the wicked - Keith Hunt]
12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace [is takes wisdom at times to get along with neighbours, to know when it is better to hold your peace and not try to win every situation - Keith Hunt]
13 A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter [ not every personal thing, or known thing about this or that person needs to be revealed and made public - wisdom knows when to keep a matter concealed - Keith Hunt]
14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety [being too independent can bring troubles; it is good to have a mind-set that realizes some matters need to have many counsellors involved. This also teaches us to be humble, and to know you are not skilled in everything - Keith Hunt]
15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure [we have already covered this wise proverb, regarding signing as a co-signature that involves physical things or debt-money. Here it is doubly wrong if you hardly know the person. This is twice given as a double emphasis not to be a co-signer for anyone - Keith Hunt]
16 A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches [ you may loose some physical whatevers….but retain honor; you can be like the ruthless people who are only concerned with physical riches and to hell with everything else - Keith Hunt]
17 The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh [it can be therapeutic to the life to show mercy; being a curial person will as they say, eat away at you..... there are literal chemical released in either good or bad emotions - Keith Hunt]
18 The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward [many wicked people can be deceptive in their working life; sowing the commandments (righteousness - Ps. 119:172) of God will bring a good reward; as the saying goes, what you sow you reap - Keith Hunt]
19 As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death [the Bible teaches over and over, that serving God will lead to eternal life; living in evil will lead to eternal death - Keith Hunt]
20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their ways are His delight [ those who are, in God’s sight perverse are they who will not REPENT OF SINS! Those classified as blameless are worshipping the Father in Spirit and in Truth. Under the grace of God, forgiven, and Jesus as intercessor when they do fall and slip, we are kept under the grace of God - Keith Hunt]
21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered [has to be a “general” statement, for some wicked do not always get punished; and some of the righteous do not get delivered (see Hebrews 11) - Keith Hunt]
22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman who lack discretion [they two just do not match; God created beauty in the female, but if it goes no further you know what they say, “Beauty is only skin deep.” Truly a woman who is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside, is truly blessed, and blesses all who know her - Keith Hunt]
23 The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath [the right mind-set following God’s righteousness, has goodness in view as a way of life; the wicked know deep down they are in the wrong before man and God; they can only expect wrath to catch up to them for living wickedly - Keith Hunt]
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty [“There are those who (generously) scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting, or what is justly due, but it results only in want” - Amplified Bible. This is a general statement as we know it does not always work out to be so in every individual case. Nevertheless we should be on the giving side; to give to others is a blessing; we give what we can and how we can and when we can - Keith Hunt]
25 The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself [if thinking only in the physical riches, it is a general statement, as not all giving people will become rich in the physical. But a person who is of a giving nature will be blessed in other ways than physical riches. As it is written “It is more blessed to give than to receive” - Keith Hunt]
26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will he on the head of him who sells it [“The people curse him who hold back grain (when the public needs it), but a blessing (from God and man) is upon the head of him who sells it” - Amplified Bible. In the long run of things the greedy and spiteful person will find he has few friends, and do himself harm, in not doing what is right and proper. The man who sells when he clearly sees the need to do so to help others, will find a blessing, even if only having people love and respect him - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
11:7 The wicked place their hope in things that will not last beyond this lifetime (see Matt. 6:19, 20).
11:8 The righteous do not escape all trouble, but they miss the misery that comes because of wickedness.
11:9 Knowledge serves as a defense against the malicious words of the godless hypocrite, helping the righteous know how to cope with such evil.
11:11 The prosperity of a city comes because God is pleased with the upright. Sodom is an example of a city overthrown because of the wicked (Gen. 18:20, 21; 19:24,25).
11:13 A talebearer deliberately betrays others. Joseph, a faithful man, dealt justly with Mary; he did not reveal her supposed problem (Matt. 1:19).
11:15 See 6:1-5 and note.
11:17 troubles his own flesh: Our violent and unjust acts are ultimately against ourselves. See 1:18, 19 and note.
11:19 life ... death: See 8:32-36 and note.
11:24-26 The more we give of ourselves to others, the more we receive: In contrast, one who does not share with others finds that others will not share with him.
……
27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, but trouble will come to him who seeks evil.
WHAT WE SOW WE SHALL REAP - Keith Hunt
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.
RICHES ARE NOIT WRONG; BUT TRUSTING IN THEM…..EVENTUALLY THEY WILL FAIR US; THE RIGHTEOUS WILL FLOURISH, MAYBE NOT SO MUCH IN THIS LIFE BUT IN ETERNITY…..WHO CAN COMPARE - Keith Hunt
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
BEING THE TROUBLE MAKER IN YOUR OWN FAMILY, WILL IN TIME, INHERIT WHAT THE WIND CAN CRUSH AND BLOW AWAY; IT WILL BE YOUR RUIN. FOOLS IN THE WAY THEY LIVE USUALLY END UP SERVING THE WISE - Keith Hunt
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
YOU CAN WIN THEM IN MANY WAYS. AS PAUL SAID, “AS MUCH AS LIES WITHIN YOU, LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN.” DOING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD DOES BEAR FRUIT, IN THIS LIFE IT WILL KEEP YOU FROM MANY MISTAKES AND SINS WHICH COULD HAVE DIRE RESULTS. JESUS GAVE A PARABLE ON HAVING FRIENDS OF MOMMON OR THE UNCONVERTED. MANY OF THE UNCONVERTED ARE NICE PEOPLE, WHO CAN HELP YOU IN VARIOUS WAYS WHEN HELP IS NEEDED - Keith Hunt
31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner.
IN THE END THERE IS A TIME OF RECKONING FOR BOTH THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE UNREPENTANT SINNER - Keith Hunt
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From the New JKV Study Bible
11:30 He who wins souls is one who persuades or wins men and women to wisdom. Christ is the wisdom of God for the Christian (see 1 Cor. 1:24, 30).
11:31 The sinner certainly cannot escape punishment because even the righteous must face the consequences of their activities (see 1 Pet. 4:18). on the earth: The OT people did not have a clear understanding of rewards and punishment beyond this lifetime, but there are intimations of such (see Ps. 49:19 and note).
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THE “JUDGEMENT DAY” FOR THE RIGHTEOUS, IS NOT GOING TO BE AS MANY TEACHERS HAVE DESCRIBED, STANDING BEFORE GOD AND HAVING ALL YOUR “GOOD” AND “BAD” WORDS AND DEEDS THROWN UP ON A SCREEN, THEN REWARDED [BEING SAVED IS BY GRACE; REWARDS ARE BY WORKS] ON YOUR MERITS. I HAVE ON THIS WEBSITE A FULL STUDY CALLED “JUDGEMENT DAY” - YOU NEED TO STUDY IT AND LEARN THE TRUTH - Keith Hunt
CHAPTER 12
Righteousness Is Wise
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid […..but he who hates reproof is like a brute beast, stupid and indiscriminating - Amplified Bible. Pretty well says it all if you do not like correction - Keith Hunt]
2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.
3 A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous cannot be moved [in the long run of it all the righteous will win, the wicked only for a while - Keith Hunt]
4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones [they say behind every good man there is a woman; if a woman causes shame, it is like the man’s bones are slowly decaying - Keith Hunt]
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful [the thoughts and purposes of the (consistently) righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous - Amplified Bible. Not all the wicked are so, but the consistently righteous will never be counsels of treacherousness - Keith Hunt]
6 The words of the wicked are, "Lie in wait for blood," but the mouth of the upright will deliver them […..but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them and the innocent ones (thus entangled) - Amplified Bible. There is hope with the upright when things look bad; the words of the wicked only bring hardship and even blood - Keith Hunt]
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand [a general statement for this age, as sometimes the wicked are not overthrown, and troubles can come on the righteous; in the end of it all, this proverb will stand as written - Keith Hunt]
8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised [a man shall be commended according to his Wisdom (godly Wisdom, which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God). but he who is of perverse heart shall be despised - Amplified Bible. Most people like someone who has good wisdom in how to live, in actions and speech; the crooked and perverse in attitude and life will be despised by most people - Keith Hunt]
9 Better is the one who is flighted but has a servant, than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
[Better is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support, than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread - Amplified Bible. Better to have people look down on you (for whatever reason) and have work to support yourself, than he who has self-deception in honoring himself, but does not have enough to eat, by being lazy - Keith Hunt]
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
[A (consistently) righteous man regards the life of his beast, but even the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel (Deut. 25:4) - Amplified Bible. The Lord makes it clear here that those who do not give much honor or respect to the life of their animal, are simply wicked - their mind-set is such that even if they had some tender mercies in their brain, even that would still be in the cruel category as far as God is concerned - Keith Hunt]
11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding [the one who values a work ethic will have his physical needs; he who wants to party all the time will find his needs are hard to come by, unless he’s got inheritance money, or won the lottery - Keith Hunt]
12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit [those who want easy money through evil deeds are in the group of “the wicked”; the ones doing righteousness will yield good fruit that will be pleasing to mankind and to God - Keith Hunt]
13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will come through trouble [usually those who are doing wickedly will often be snared by their every own words; the righteous will come through troubles, yet not always right away - Keith Hunt]
14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man's hands will be rendered to him [what you say, speak, and work at in life, will pay you back, either good fruit or bad fruit. Our words and actions do come back on us in the end, sometimes sooner, sometimes later, but we do reap what we sow - Keith Hunt]
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From the New JKV Study Bible
12:2 Intentions are the basis of God's judgments. See
I Sam. 16:7.
12:4 An excellent wife in Hebrew thought is one who is industrious, morally upright, strong, and productive (see 31:10-31).
12:6 Lie in wait: Their words are an ambush for their victims.
12:9 slighted: Receives no attention. It is better to say too little about yourself than too much.
12:10 A righteous man considers others, even animals. The wicked are so heartless, that even their kindness is cruel.
12:12 That which is off limits always attracts the wicked.
12:14 The mouth and hands are our most productive members; success or failure depends on their proper use.
……
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.
PRETTY WELL EXPANDS ITSELF - Keith Hunt
16 A fool's wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame [A fools wrath is quickly and openly known, but a prudent man ignores an insult - Amplified Bible]
17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit [He who breathes out truth shows forth righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), but a false witness utters deceit - Amplified Bible. The Bible definition of righteousness is found in Ps. 119:172 - Keith Hunt]
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health [There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise bring healing - Amplified Bible. The wise know when to speak and how to speak in any given situation - Keith Hunt]
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment [Truthful lips shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is (credited) but for a moment - Amplified Bible. The NT says no liar shall enter God’s Kingdom. You can lie in many ways, certainly by word of mouth, but there is a lying of life, some call it being a hypocrite - the ultimate of would be saying you are a Christian but living a life that does not emulate Christ at all - Keith Hunt]
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy [Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but for the counsellors of peace there is joy - Amplified Bible. Paul was inspired to say, “If it be possible, as much as lies in you live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18) - Keith Hunt]
21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil [certainly a “general statement” here; trouble can come upon the righteous - the apostle Paul is an example, even to loosing your life as he did. The wicked at times seem to prosper, often evil does catch them in their wickedness. Overall the righteous being wise are kept from many troubles, the wicked tend to find trouble; the wicked drug gangs often kill each other and etc. Keith Hunt]
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight [pretty straightforward here, it means what it says - Keith Hunt]
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness [A prudent man is reluctant to reveal knowledge, but the heart of (self-confident) fools proclaim their folly (Isa. 32:6) - Amplified Bible. The wise and prudent person knows when to speak knowledge and when not to. As Jesus said do not cast your pears before swine - Keith Hunt
24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor [it tends to be so, at least in the business world; the hard working get promoted while the lazy stay put like being in forced labor camp; you reap what you sow - Keith Hunt]
25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad [worries, and being stressed out over this or that can lead to mental depression; someone coming along and speaking a good and helpful word makes the heart glad - Keith Hunt]
26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray [oh so true; mix with the wrong people and all kinds of evil can come your way. “Evil communication corrupts good manners” - 1 Cor. 15:33 - Keith Hunt]
27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man's precious possession [some are not totally lazy; some will hunt but then too lazy to skin and cook. So even “part lazy” is not here given a good word. Not following through on things you do in life can give you bad results - Keith Hunt]
28 In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.
THOSE SERVING GOD AND CHRIST IN THE CORRECT MIND-SET, REPENTANCE, HUMILITY, WILLING TO BE CORRECTED, GROWING IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE, DOING THE WILL OF GOD, WILL NEVER SEE THE SECOND DEATH, BUT ARE UNDER GRACE AND WILL FIND ETERNAL LIFE - Keith Hunt
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From the New KJV Study Bible
12:16 covers shame: Unlike the fool whose temper is uncontrolled, the prudent person - does not react quickly, either to the shame of an insult or perhaps in ways which would lead to later shame.
12:18 Blurting out all we know is not always necessary or helpful.
12:19 Truth can stand the test of time. Lies cannot:
12:20 Only deceit can find lodging in the hearts of those who plot violence and aggression;
12:21 Those who seek peace with their neighbors will find roon for joy. See Matt. 5:9.
12:22 an abomination: See 6:16-19 and note. He who does not deal truthfully cannot delight the Lord.
12:25 A verse to be memorized and remembered when encountering those who are discouraged by life's trials. A good word is a word of encouragement, faith, or hope.
12:28 Righteousness always makes life better. In following God's way there is no permanent loss. The one who rejects righteousness rejects life itself (see 8:36; 11:19).
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CHAPTER 13
Wisdom Loves Righteousness
A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
AS SONS OF GOD WE MUST BE WILLING TO LISTEN TO HIM; LISTEN TO HIM IS MAINLY BY READING HIS WORD - HE TALKS TO US THROUGH HIS WORD; THE MIND-SET OF THE SCOFFER IS NOT WILLING TO BE CORRECTED - Keith Hunt
2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, but the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.
BY OUR MOUTH THE HEART AND MIND SPEAK. THE TONGUE CAN GIVE US GOOD FRUIT OR BAD FRUIT - SEE JAMES CHAPTER 3. THOSE NOT IN TUNE TO GOD CAN BRING FORTH VARIOUS TYPES OF VIOLENCE. FOR VIOLENCE DOES NOT ALWAYS HAVE TO BE PHYSICAL - Keith Hunt
3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
ONCE MORE THE MOUTH IS A LITTLE MEMBER OF OUR BODY BUT CAN HAVE HUGE IMPLICATIONS EITHER GOOD OR BAD. THINKING BEFORE SPEAKING SHOULD BE OUR AIM. THOSE WHO TEND TO BE ALWAYS TALKING WILL USUALLY NOT BE GUARDING THEIR TONGUE, SO THEY GET THEMSELVES INTO A DESTRUCTIVE LIFE PATTERN - Keith Hunt
4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
THE LIFE OF THE LAZY WILL FIND THEY HAVE LITTLE TO SHOW FOR IT AS WE SAY. THE LIFE-STYLE OF THE DILIGENT WORKER GIVES GOOD PHYSICAL REWARD - Keith Hunt
5 A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
IT IS A NATURAL PART OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO HATE LYING; THE ONE WHO DOES NOT IS HERE CLASSIFIED AS WICKED, AND WILL IN TIME BE BROUGHT TO SHAME……VERY FEW LIARS EVER GO THROUGH LIFE UNDETECTED, AND WHEN THEIR LIES ARE BROUGHT FORTH, THEY END IN SHAME BEFORE OTHERS - Keith Hunt
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
IT’S A WAY OF SAYING YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT. DOING RIGHTEOUSNESS GUARDS PEOPLE FROM SIN AND ERROR; WICKEDNESS IS SIN AND SIN IS WICKEDNESS, BEING EITHER WILL BRING YOU DOWN SOONER OR LATER - Keith Hunt
7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches [One man considers himself rich, yet has nothing (to keep permanently); another considers himself poor, yet has great (and indestructible) riches (Prov.12:9; Luke 12: 20, 21) - Amplified Bible. It can all depend on the attitude of mind; one may not have many physical riches but what he has that is free, makes him feel rich. Another may have great riches, but he uses it all to serve others, so making himself less physically rich every day, and he does not put too much importance on his riches as he makes himself poorer. Many years ago a retired man sold a piece of land in the Vancouver area of Canada; he found himself with 20 million dollars. He was already well off, so were his children. He asked them if they would mind that he wanted to give 95 percent of it away to good charity causes. They said it was fine with them. He was rich but made himself poor as he started to give away the 20 million dollars. In serving others he made himself poor but had the truly great riches - Keith Hunt]
8 The ransom of a man's life is his riches, but the poor does not hear rebuke [A rich man can buy his way out of threatened death by paying a ransom, but the poor man does not even have to listen to threats (from the envious) - Amplified Bible. When you have no great riches your not going to have to be concerned about someone holding you or your loved one for ransom. More stress can be on the one with great riches, the poor do not have to be stressed out by someone rebuking in a ransom act - Keith Hunt]
9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out [The light of the (uncompromisingly) righteous (is within him - it grows brighter and) rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked (furnishes only a derived , temporary light and) shall be put out shortly - Amplified Bible. Sooner or later the wicked and whatever light they shine, will come to an end and be no more; the light of the righteous will go on forever in the eternity of it all - Daniel 12:3 - Keith Hunt]
10 By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom [human pride and vanity, often leads to strife with all the people the proud one is in contact with; human ego tends to rub people the wrong way. Those who put away vanity and pride, will usually seek wisdom in their dealings with others - Keith Hunt]
11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase [those who use dishonest ways to gain their wealth often come crashing down in the end, others around them will often use dishonest ways to bring them down; what goes around comes around. Those who work honestly will have few if any enemies, and will have a steady bank account - Keith Hunt]
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life [when a kid I wanted a bicycle for two years, in that part of my heart I was unhappy, but when I got it two years later….wow….it was like winning the million dollar jackpot - Keith Hunt]
13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded [another way of saying, whoever is willing to live by every word of God as Jesus taught (Mat.4:4) will, with Jesus as your Saviour, find life eternal; those who do not will be destroyed in the second death (Rev. 20) - Keith Hunt
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death [we have seen the virtues of having wisdom, it will keep you out of much trouble, pain, and sorrow - Keith Hunt]
15 Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard [most people like some one who is wise and prudent in life; those who are not wise, unfaithful in wisdom are difficult people to be around, and they themselves have a hard life in worldly matter - Keith Hunt
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open his folly [if you are wise there is really no need to be going around showing it; the fool tends to be easily know by the way he acts and talks - Keith Hunt]
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health [a wicked messenger will get into trouble by those sending him; and depending on what he says may also get into trouble with the ones the message getting the message - Keith Hunt]
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored [in the working world, those who will be taught and take help will get ahead, but those who will not, do not get promotions, and may loose their job - Keith Hunt]
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil
[the good finished work is sweet to those wanting to do good work of different sorts; but for the sinful mind-set, it would be an abomination to depart from the sin they enjoy - Keith Hunt
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise but the companion of fools will be destroyed [pretty well speaks for itself here; those you rub shoulders with, have as friends....you will be like them in time. And the foolish will be destroyed from off the earth in God's time plan - Keith Hunt]
21 Evil pursues sinners, but to the righteous, good shall be repaid [in general being a sinner, leading a life of habitual sin, then you have all kinds of trouble following you; but the righteous usually find good surrounds their way of life - Keith Hunt ]
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous [the man leading the good life often has something to pass on to his offspring; the sinner often finds his possessions going to more righteous people - Keith Hunt]
23 Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, and for lack of justice there is waste [the first is easy to understand - if the poor find they have land, you bet they will make good use of it; then there are many times when the wealthy with lots of land, food is plentiful, but there is waste - all from there not being a just mind that appreciates using all foods for all people. North America is guilty of much food waste - Keith Hunt]
24 He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly [some kids just [need the rod, it maybe the only way to get them to think more soberly. On the other hand some just need a sharp rebuke and they are in tears - Keith Hunt]
25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his life, but the stomach of the wicked shall be in want [the righteous will have work, they will like to work as much as is possible, they will not be people wanting handouts, and they will have food to the satisfying of life; the wicked are often those who do not want to work, are looking for handouts, and/or looking to steal from others - because of this life style they often do not know when another meal is coming - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
13:1 A scoffer is an egotist who has a strong hatred for correction (see 9:7, 8). The Lord has no delight in such pride (3:34).
13:7 poor, yet... great riches: Jesus applied this same reversal of values to the life of Christian discipleship (see Matt. 10:38, 39 and note).
13:8 Riches have their benefits, but poverty also has some. The poor man does not face rebuke, perhaps because he is not a prominent person.
13:10 See 28:25, 26 and note.
13:11 See 21:6 and note.
13:12 A wise person will do his best not to raise impossible hopes in others, and to see that those which are possible, come to quick fruition.
13:13,14 word: The word of God. The law: Instruction or counsel.
13:18 Can I accept criticism and improve as a result?
13:19 The fulfillment of a worthwhile goal results in worthy satisfaction, but the pursuit of evil brings bondage.
13:22 An important contrast to remember when we see the wicked seeming to prosper.
13:23 Injustice drives people into poverty where the contributions they might have made to society are lost.
13:24 It is not an act of love to withhold discipline, including physical punishment for wrongdoing (see Eph. 6:4). Lack of discipline can result in destruction for the child (see 19:18; 23:13, 14 and notes). A disciplined child can bring honor to a family; but an undisciplined child, shame (see 29:15,
17 and note).
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