THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
CHAPTER 14 - 17
CHAPTER 14
The Wise and the Foolish
The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands [this is then of course for the woman going into marriage; I guess also for a woman in charge of other women in a business….how you build will determine how strong or weak you make it. Again wisdom is the important ingredient - Keith Hunt
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
[pretty straightforward; you walk with God with the right kind of fear, or you despise Him; some do not out and out despise God, a lot will say they believe there is a God, but they do not think much deeper than that, as they go their way - Keith Hunt]
3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them [one more we see wisdom and pride as opposites - human pride an lead to many foolish things in actions and in words; being filled with wisdom has many blessings in life. The early chapters stress the importance of wisdom - Keith Hunt]
4 Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox [sometimes you have to have what is needed to get the job done; you maybe don’t have to buy feed for an animal, but then you may never get the job done, hence no increase, no money…..troubles on its way - Keith Hunt]
5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, but knowledge is easy to him who understands [it’s the attitude of mind - Keith Hunt]
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do NOT perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit [the wise man will want to examine himself; for Christians that is examining against the word of God; but fools are governed by an attitude of deceit, they deceive themselves that they are fine, they never examine themselves - Keith Hunt
9 Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor [to the wise of the world, to the unconverted, to the atheist, they mock what true sin is as derived from God’s word; but the upright, those wanting to walk with God, they will be granted favor and mercy - Keith Hunt]
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy [it is hard to put yourself in another’s shoes; but we should try, we need to have empathy - Keith Hunt]
11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish [in the long run of things this will be the outcome - Keith Hunt]
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death [man apart from God’s divine help through His Spirit and His Word, goes his own way of life as they choose, ways that seem right to them, but more often than not end up in the way of death, sooner or later - Keith Hunt]
13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief [there are times when in the joy of the moment, the circumstances may turn to sorrow - i.e. a 12th grade graduation full of laughter, turns to sorrow when one or more are killed on the way home on the highway. So then the end of mirth (cheerfulness, gladness, glee, laughter) can sometimes be grief; that is just the way of this life at times. So enjoy every minute you have - Keith Hunt]
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above [people who leave God and Christ, are going their own ways, it now dominates them.
But they who stay faithful to God will be satisfied in many ways; it is indeed the good life in the big picture of it all - Keith Hunt]
15 The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps [here the word “simple” is used as simple-minded, easy to lead astray, no depth of thinking or reasoning; those in church “cults” you could say are weak or simple minded, they let others do the thinking for them, they hang up their brain on the coat rack when entering the group meeting. The prudent never let others think for them, they way it all up, they walk carefully, they are not dumb sheep following dumbly every word spoken by others - Keith Hunt]
16 A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident [those that have their wits about them know and learn what is evil and what brings the wrong results in life; but fools move on blindly like the raging of sea waves; they are blind to life and self-confident in a bad way, that will bring troubles to them - Keith Hunt]
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated [being quick tempered, getting angry and flying off the handle at the drop of the hat, will often lead someone into foolish activities; they become mentally blinded by their quick and uncontrolled temper; so intentions getting boiling and wickedness can follow. Such people find few friends, and most simply hate the quick firing temper of such individuals - Keith Hunt]
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge [once more the word “simple” is used in a derogatory manner….. a weak and simple mind-set is open to absorb much folly and foolishness; the prudent (wise, shrewd, sensible, well judged) will want knowledge, will have it as a crown on their mind - Keith Hunt]
19 The evil will bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous [in the end of it all, so it will be; the evil and wicked cannot stand before the good and the righteous; the evil and wicked will have to bow in admittance that the good and the righteous were correct in what they said and did and how they lived - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
14:1 pulls it down: She acts in ways which will destroy the family.
14:3 The mouth of the fool strikes out at others in order to exalt himself.
14:4 We can be overly neat and orderly at the expense of creative energy.
14:6 The scoffer does not find wisdom because he is too proud to recognize its source (1:7).
14:8 The prudent person is able to understand (gain insight into) his or her own behavior, but the fool is lost in a fog of serf-deception.
14:9 To be calloused toward evil and the damage we do is to be among the fools.
14:10 True friendship is not easily found, but we are lonely without it.
14:11 See 10:24, 25 and note.
14:12 The way of man, if contrary to the way of God, is the way of death. See 16:25 and note.
14:14 his own ways: Backsliding and self-centeredness are inseparable.
14:15-17 Three ways to play the fool: (1) be gullible (v.15), (2) be arrogant (v. 16), (3) be-quick-tempered (v. 17).
14:19 evil will bow: The good must triumph eventually. God has decreed it.
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20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends [most average people are good workers, they know they have to work have money and live a decent average life in this physical world. So they really do not like lazy people who have no good reason not to be like themselves, especially if it’s a neighbour. It is a fact of life that those that have money get more friends than those who do not and are just plain lazy - Keith Hunt]
21 He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he [ now we see the other side….. despising your neighbour when they are in the poorhouse, because of circumstances out of their control, is sin….. but having mercy and helping them out, brings happiness (if in God’s mind-set) to the giver. As Jesus said, it is more blessed to give than to receive - Keith Hunt]
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? but mercy and truth belong to those who devise good [yes the ones who devise evil do go astray; and those who do good have mercy and truth with them that leads them to do good - mercy and truth leads to do good in the correct way - Keith Hunt]
23 In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty [yes right labor is good and profitable; but sitting around with idle chatter (out of work and obviously not out looking for work) will only lead to poverty. I was once in a town in B.C. and found myself out of work, down to my last $50; I heard things were booming in Calgary, Alberta. Got into the yellow pages and discovered this fellow owned 5 Shoe Repair stores. I phoned him up and asked if he had work as I was skilled that that trade. Within 2 weeks he called to offer me work…..that’s how I got to be in Calgary - Keith Hunt
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the foolishness of fools is folly [to be say average rich sometimes has to have wisdom; so my story above. Wise for me when out of work to see what was happening in a city booming away - Calgary. It has been a blessing in the physical ever since being in Calgary. But if I had been foolish and not looked elsewhere, I would have been in the foolishness of fools…folly indeed - Keith Hunt]
25 A true witness delivers lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies.
26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death [this and the previous two are self explanatory - KeithHunt]
28 In a multitude of people is a king's honor, but in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince [if you have loyal friends around you to help, serve, give knowledge, and go to for their advice, you stand a better chance in being a leader with honour; having no such people with you, then greater the risk for a downfall - Keith Hunt]
29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly [being too quick off the starting line mark, produces a false start; two false starts and your out. Keeping your mind cool and in control produces understanding of the situation; acting just on emotional impulse often leads to folly and a bad result - Keith Hunt]
30 A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones [a sound heart comes from many important things, mentally, emotionally, and physically in good shape; all things in health does indeed give good life to the body; burning envy, jealousy, does to the mind and body like your very frame of bones is rotting away. They have proved bad emotions on a regular basis makes your body sick - Keith Hunt]
31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy [the Bible teaches over and over we who serve God and Christ, must remember the true poor, those who have no power of the circumstances and situation they find themselves in. We must help the truly needy, as much as we can with what we have - Keith Hunt]
32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness, but the righteous has a refuge in his death [the wicked who will not repent, will be eventually banished and not exist; death for the righteous is a resting place until the resurrection to eternal immortal life - all covered in-depth in the studies under “Death and Resurrection” on this website - Keith Hunt
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known [the wise know when and how to speak and when not to speak; but foolish people with little or no wisdom, spurt out words that show they are inept and foolish, they show they have no wisdom or understanding, they talk just for the sake of talking - Keith Hunt]
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people [that’s the bottom line; righteousness (Ps. 119:172) will build a nation; practicing sin will eventually bring down a people; what we sow we reap - Keith Hunt]
35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant, but his wrath is against him who causes shame [a wise king with no emotional favourites, will appreciate servants who also have wisdom; but his wrath will be against anyone who does not have wisdom and causes shame. Many leaders have put aside sons who brought shame by lack of wisdom, and given positions in the company etc. to those with wisdom, who had no blood tie relationship - Keith Hunt
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From the New KJV Study Bible
14:20, 21 People are to be valued for themselves, not for attainments or possessions (James 2:1-7).
14:22, they .. .go astray: See 6:12-15 and note.
14:23 Labor, not trivial talk, is God's way to success.
14:26, 27 fear of the Lord: Governing our actions in the sight of God's power and purpose. The person who does can live both confidently and abundantly. See 1:7; 9:10, and notes.
14:28 If the people will not follow you, position alone is not much.
14:29 See 12:16 and note; see also James 1:19, 20.
14:30 A sound heart: Accepting our lot in life with gratitude to God.
14:31 Persons are made in God's image: to oppress them is to oppress Him (see Gen. 1:26-28. Malt. 25:40. 45 and note).
14:32 For the righteous there is blessedness beyond death.
14:34 National welfare, like personal destiny, is tied to righteousness (see 11:11 and note).
15:1 Simple, but how hard to do! The verse should be remembered in times of strained relationships.
CHAPTER 15
Wise Use of the Tongue
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger [ there are times when a soft answer is needed and not harsh words - it takes wisdom to know when - Keith Hunt]
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness [knowledge is a powerful tool - the wise know when and how to use it; but from the mouth of fools and nit-wits comes foolishness - they lack wisdom - Keith Hunt]
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good [often it is angels that are the eyes of God; we find in the book of Genesis angels coming and telling the Lord God what’s going on down on earth. I’ll let the reader find where those passages are - Keith Hunt]
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit [such a little member but it can bring forth good life or a bad life; we need to guard our mouth, what comes out of it and when - Keith Hunt]
5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent [we suppose here that the father is going the right way of living life, and so being blunt, it is only fools who despise the father’s instructions; but he who will be willing to be corrected and taught, is prudent indeed - Keith Hunt]
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble [we have say two banks accounts - the righteous and the wicked; the various treasures of the righteous can give you good treasure; but the treasures of the wicked that they attained by wickedness, will only bring troubles if you partake of them - Keith Hunt]
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so [again the wise give forth good knowledge; the mind of fools do not - Keith Hunt]
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight [the Lord looks on the heart and mind; a person can give large amounts of the physical in a church setting, but if the mind is still on wickedness….. the physical to God means absolutely nothing to Him; but those upright in mind God delights in and their prayers will have His attention - Keith Hunt]
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who follows righteousness.
10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction will die.
11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord; so how much more he hearts of the sons of men.
12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, nor will he go to the wise.
13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
THE ABOVE ARE PRETTY WELL SELF EXPLANATORY - Keith Hunt
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart to a continual feast
[this does not mean you should avoid affliction when it comes, as like loosing a loved one; but such affliction and despondency must eventually be put to one side; the merry heart must come back, so feasting with the Lord can resume with a merry heart. As wise king Solomon said, there is a time for sadness and a time for gladness, a time to cry and a time to laugh - Keith Hunt]
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble [as many rich people have known, riches cannot buy true happiness, it cannot buy your health per se. It’s better to have little in the way of the physical, but have that security that comes from fearing the Lord - going the Lord’s way, knowing the end result; better it be that way than being very rich with troubles upon troubles that riches can sometimes bring - Keith Hunt]
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred [the emotional path of life is so important to having a good physical life; better to have little but surrounded by love, than a big fatted calf or physical riches, filled with unhappiness and surrounded with hate and emotional fighting - Keith Hunt]
18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention [it is the contrast of living….. one man regularly in a stewed up hot mind, and another with control over his mind, slow to anger. It’s not wrong to get angry at times, Jesus now and again got angry - threw out the money changers from the temple because they were too mind-set on making a buck; Paul wrote “be angry and sin not” - being slow to anger gets you out of much trouble - Keith Hunt]
19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway.
[if you are lazy and do not have a good work ethic, you will have many problems in this physical life that will be like prickly thorns on your skin - unpleasant to say the least; the upright in this matter of work ethic, will in the main be a nice highway, pleasant to ride along. Of course we are here talking about people who can work, not about people who have various physical disabilities, and are not able to work every much, or not at all - Keith Hunt]
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother [we presume the father is upright and righteous - having a son/daughter who is wise and walks the way of the father, will indeed make that father very happy; but the foolish son/daughter who does not walk in their parents good way, is showing he/she despises their mother. Mothers tend to have a stronger more emotional tie with their children. But the two are one and both father and mother feel either happy or sad, glad or despised, on how their children turn out in life - Keith Hunt]
21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, but a man of understanding walks uprightly [we are back to wisdom again; to the unwise being wrong in living, practicing folly, can give a twisted sense of joy to some, it’s a proudness of heart mentality, just ain’t going to admit the folly of it all; the wise person of understanding knows it’s best to walk uprightly, which is another way of saying, walks with God - Keith Hunt
22 Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established [yes once more pointed out to us, that it is wise to take counsel from others, especially the more important the undertaking is to be, and especially if you know little about the skill required for the undertaking. You may know little about building your house on the land you obtained - the more counsellors you will need for the undertaking - Keith Hunt]
23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
[once more knowing how to speak, when to speak, and what to say, will bring joy to those who have their mind and tongue bound together with wisdom - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
15:4 Words have the power to heal or to crush the spirit of another.
15:8 God's greatest concern is with our attitudes; therefore, a simple, but sincere, prayer is more desirable than an ostentatious, but insincere, sacrifice.
15:9 The Lord is concerned with the pattern of our lives. Are we in the way of the wicked, or do we follow righteousness?
15:10 There is no hope of improvement for one who is wrong, yet rejects correction (also v. 12).
15:11 If God perfectly understands the very heart of evil, then seeing into the evil hearts of people presents Him with no difficulty (see 5:21 and note).
15:15 A God-given cheerful heart can brighten even the days of the afflicted. See 17:22; Neh. 8.10.
15:16,17 The Lord and love can make a life good even where there is little money and simple food.
15:18 See 19:11 and note.
15:22 The counsel of others helps our plans to succeed (see 20:18 and note).
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24 The way of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell below [it’s the right direction we need, up towards God in heaven, or away from Him to final destruction in hell-fire or the second death (Rev. 20) - Keith Hunt]
25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud, but He will establish the boundary of the widow [a contrast of the pride and vanity and ego of some with the usual simplicity and humbleness of widows; one will be destroyed the other established in the end - Keith Hunt]
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasant [self evident in its meaning - Keith Hunt]
27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live [the attitude of some who want physical gain at any cost, troubles come to those close to him as well as himself; but the honest straight worker will live without added troubles of being a crooked greedy person - Keith Hunt]
28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil [pretty straightforward in its meaning - Keith Hunt]
29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous [those who know they are doing wickedness and live accordingly, God is far from them. Though wickedness is the opposite to God’s commandment (Ps. 119:53 and 172) yet some sincerely believe they are serving God, they can have the Lord answering their prayers and etc. A person spiritual blinded to God’s full truths, can have God helping them at times. The wicked here are those who know good but do the opposite. The righteous and their prayers are always heard by God, and He answers when and how He sees fit - Keith Hunt]
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones healthy [when you see things in a good light, when you see with the light of God in you, your heart can rejoice; then when people have a good report about you, your can stand strong and feel healthy in mind and body - Keith Hunt]
31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise [taking counsel, taking correction, willing to learn, is all a part of wisdom - Keith Hunt]
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own life, but he who heeds rebuke gets
understanding [saying the same as above but putting it in different words. Not being of a teachable mind is doing yourself harm, and not heeding correction means you’ll never move on to more understanding - Keith Hunt]
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.
THIS ONE IS SUCH A MIGHTY KEY TO LIVING LIFE AT ITS FULLEST. TO FEAR GOD CORRECTLY IS HAVING THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM. WISDOM INSTRUCTS YOU TO FEAR GOD IN THE RIGHT WAY; A DEEP DEEP RESPECT! AND VERY OFTEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE HUMILITY BEFORE HONOR. WINSTON CHURCHILL WAS THROWN OUT OF GOVERNMENT, WAS LAUGHED AT FOR SAYING HITLER WANTED TO CONQUER THE WORLD. HE WAS TENDING HIS GARDEN WHEN HE WAS CALLED UPON TO LEAD THE BRITISH NATION AGAINST HITLER AT THE START OF WW2.
Keith Hunt
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From the New KJV Study Bible
15:24 Wisdom leads toward heaven and away from hell see also Ps. 1:6).
15:25 The Lord loves and cares for the needy. In this case, it would protect the property of the widow from being stolen by those who would move her boundary markers (see notes on 22:28; Hos. 5:10).
15:27 See note on 1:18, 19.
15:28 Human relationships are delicate; the righteous person tries to maintain them.
15:9 The Lord … the wicked: Sin separates us from God.
15:33 Humility before the Lord opens the way for Him to honor us with His blessings. See Luke 18:13, 14.
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CHAPTER 16
Proverbs to Encourage Godly Lives
The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord [ The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the (wise) answer of the tongue - Amplified Bible. Man with his brain can orderly do planning, it is happening every day in the unconverted world; putting some things into words that are wise to help others, often takes some inspiration from the Lord. Jesus said when persecution comes your way and you are brought before the powers in force, you were not to think about how to answer, for God would inspire your answering - Keith Hunt]
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits [generally man thinks his ways are just and pure; we now have declared the “gay” lifestyle to be fine and dandy; same sex marriage is now being approved more and more each day; now the transgender issue is getting the floor, and starting to be accepted. Many other things against God’s law are thought of as okay by much of the world. The Lord sees and He weighs the attitude of all this that is going around. He will not be silent, the time is coming when sins will be reproved in no uncertain way - Keith Hunt]
3 Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established [if on God’s side He will provide and bless you in the long run of it all. The Lord knew that from age 7, I wanted one day a horse like Roy Rogers’ Trigger - a beautiful golden palomino. I was 62 when the Lord said okay I’ll give you your boyhood dream. The Lord is able indeed to establish your thought; work on His side faithfully in whatever way you can, and good thoughts He will often establish for you - Keith Hunt]
4 The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom [well there will come a time of reckoning, what we all sow we shall reap. And the wicked (unrepentant sinners) will face utter doom and destruction, to never be for all eternity, lights out - blackness -
Keith Hunt]
5 Everyone proud in hearts is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished [The proud, a man’s ego, a sisters vanity, boxers says “I’m the greatest’ - he famous for that saying; oh yes he was good 3 heave weight world champions…..but it took its tole, and Parkings he contacted, his ego went down hill; died in his early 70s. Even many joining together with more vanity, as Hitler’s cronies did, only got them killed in punished for their sins in fighting wars
6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for mk juity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him [wen the Lord is on you ride, you are doing the right thing; the Lord can make your enemies at peace with you - Keith Hunt]
16:1—22:16 A collection of miscellaneous proverbs, most of them self-contained.
From the New KJV Study Bible
16:1; A man may ask what he wishes; but God will give, or not give, as He thinks best (see v. 9; see also 19:21 and note).
16:2 The Lord knows what is in our spirits (see 5:21; 15:11 and notes).
16:4, 5 Everyone will eventualy receive his of her just reward determined by God Himself. See "God's Elect" at Rom. 9:10-13.
16:6 mercy... truth... the fear of the Lord: Characteristics of the holy life.
16:7 Another characteristic of the holy life (see note on v. 6) is to work towards peace even with one's enemies (see Heb. 12:14 and note).
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8 Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice [Better is a little with righteousness ….. than great revenues with injustice - Amplified Bible. Yes a country that may have little in the way of wealth, but serves God in righteousness, is better than a country with massive wealth but has injustice pouring out of its domain over people - Keith Hunt]
9 A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps [we human’s have our plans, but often the Lord has other plans for us. I was pretty sure from a kid where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do in life. I set out to do it at age 18, but found my new life in a new country, was leading me in the paths that God had set out for me - Keith Hunt]
10 Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment [Divinely directed decisions are on the lips of the king; his mouth should not transgress in judgment - Amplified Bible. A good king or leader of people will walk with God so he can be inspired in all he plans and says - Keith Hunt]
11 Honest weights and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are His work [we need to run our business and do our work as if it belongs to God; do all that we do as working for the Lord not for just humans - Keith Hunt]
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness [whatever you are over in this life should be done in righteousness (Ps. 119:172) and then you have a very good chance it will be established and hold firm - Keith Hunt]
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks what is right [those in leadership should delight in righteous talking, and love others who so do - Keith Hunt]
14 As messengers of death is the king's wrath, but a wise man will appease it [the wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it - Amplified Bible. Knowing how to pacify someone in authority who is angry takes insight and wisdom…..back to wisdom once more - Keith Hunt]
15 In the light of the king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain [those in authority over you, should like you by your actions and words; having their favour is like rain in due season so the harvest is plentiful. I once talked to a policeman in the line up for coffee. As I left he and his fellow office waved to me from their police car. 98 percent of the time police officers are doing the right thing, we should be on their side - Keith Hunt]
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver [once more we are told how important wisdom is for this life, way better than gold or silver - Keith Hunt]
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his life [pretty well self explanatory - depart from evil, and life will be smoother and way more pleasant - Keith Hunt]
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall [oh how many times as this been true in history, more than we could imagine. It has happened to religious ministers in this modern TV, Youtube, Facebook, Blogs…… ministers getting puffed up, filled to vanity, oozing proudness, at the expanding success of “their work” —and then the fall; falling in many ways, but the end result is their work disintegrates, showing it was after all just a mans work. There are many ministries over the last 50 years that became huge, famous, and now little of them remains… the wind of human pride has blown them away. Something to take very seriously is this proverb, if you think you are “getting there” and should receive a gold star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame - Keith Hunt]
19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud [another proverb to follow the one just read; better to walk with the lower class people who can’t boast of something great they have done, than to get the spotlight and divide the fame with the arrogant proud - Keith Hunt]
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he [it’s telling us nothing is better than heeding God’s word, which is wise to do; and he that puts his trust and faith in the Lord, will overall be a happy person; does not mean you will not have troubles in life here and there, but your overall life with be happy. I for one know that is so true, been through a lot of hills and valleys, but the Lord has helped me through it all, and I am a happy person, oh yes wow, am I happy, yes indeed - Keith Hunt]
21 The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning [the wise in heart are called prudent, understanding, and knowing, and winsome speech increases learning (in both speaker and listener) - Amplified Bible. Prudent is showing care and thought, sensible, wise, judicious, being shrewd; Winsome is attractive or appealing in appearance, a winsome smile, old English wynsum - wyn “joy” + “some” — so wisdom, an understanding heart, knowledge, will be good for people if presented with a winsome way, a sweet way so others will be willing to increase in learning. You’ve heard I’m sure people say, “Well he has lots of knowledge and wisdom but he sure does NOT know how to present his point; he rubs you the wrong way” - Keith Hunt]
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it, but the correction of fools is folly [….but to give correction to fools is folly - Amplified Bible. Those who desire to know, to understand, to be taught, are like a full well of water in a barren land; but trying to teach fools who could care less what you have to say, or to correct them on a point of issue, is wasting your time and energy, it is folly. Jesus said do not cast your pearls before swine, they’ll trample the pear and maybe even you - Keith Hunt]
23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips [The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips - Amplified Bible. The wise, the knowledgable, the prudent, will learn to keep his mouth in check, knows when to speak, and as they add learning can be persuasive in his speech - Keith Hunt]
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones [Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body - Amplified Bible. There will be times in life when someone will want, need, pleasant words, sweetness in words and tone of the voice, i.e. when someone looses a loved one suddenly; when someone is in sorrow over something in their life and feels emotionally low - Keith Hunt]
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death [we are reminded again that mankind can think they are going in the right direction, doing what they think is good, but in the end it only brings bad results and death; they leave God out of the picture and think from only a human mind-set, which many times brings them to sorrow and death - Keith Hunt]
26 The person who labors, labors for himself, for his hungry mouth drives him on [it is good to have human needs and emotions, for so having, they push him to work steadily so those needs can be met. It was intended by God that people should work (we are not here talking about people who can not because of ill health etc.) and provide for their basic physical needs, as well as some hobby; God is for a rounded life-style - Keith Hunt]
27 An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire [A worthless man devises and digs up mischief, and within his lips there is as a scorching fire - Amplified Bible. First, a person who digs up (some work involved, loves to dig it up, find it out) is called “evil.”
Secondly this is so a part of them it is like having their lips burn with fire, to cast the dug up evil like a flaming torch out of their mouth - Keith Hunt]
28 A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends [A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends - Amplified Bible. First, those that deliberately sow strife, enjoying it all, is called “perverse.” And those who go about whispering this or that about people in a negative way, can even separate best friends. You know you get this whisperer saying to one friend, this was said about you from your friend over there. Then they do the same in reverse, and before you know it the two best friends are at odds with each other and the close friendship is broken - all on hear say from this third party whispering gossiper - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
16:8 See 15:16, 17 and note.
16:10-15 These are responsibilities and desired characteristics of the king and his reign.
16:10 Divination was a form of receiving communication from God (see Num. 23:23 and note on Num. 24:1, 2). Because of being connected with sorcery and magic among the pagan religions, it was forbidden by the Mosaic law (Lev. 19:26). Here, however, divination refers to the king
speaking an oracle or message as God's representative in judging the people and is thus used in a good sense (see 1 Kin. 3:9).
16:11 weights ... scales: See Mic. 6:11 and note.
16:15 the latter rain: See note on Joel 2:21-26.
16:16 Material riches do not satisfy a person made in God's image. Our need is for Him.
16:18,19 Another proverb worthy of remembering for our relationships with others (see 15:1 and note).
16:20 the word: God's word (see 13:13, 14 and note).
16:23 The heart... teaches: Think before you speak.
16:25 This way seems right to fallen man whose mind is alienated from God. See Eph. 4:17-19.
16:27-30 Three types of persons who sow discord and strife: the ungodly (v. 27), the perverse (v. 28), the violent (vv. 29, 30).
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29 A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good [The exceedingly grasping , covetous, and violet man, entices his neighbour, leading him in a way that is not good - Amplified Bible. Some people are just not good human beings for whatever may be the reasons, and they love to entice others to follow them in their unbecoming ways of life. We have to be careful, use wisdom, in whom we associate and hang around with - Keith Hunt]
30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil [He who shuts his eyes to devise perverse things and who compresses his lips (as if in concealment) brings evil to pass - Amplified Bible. This is a continuation of the previous proverb. More expansion on the evil person who is continually thinking up wicked things and wants others to join them - Keith Hunt]
31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness [an honour for the older person who has lived in righteousness - righteousness being interpreted in Ps. 119:172. Now today it could be the older person chooses not to be silver-haired; like the joke, “My wife is a decided blond - one day she decided to be blond.” Yes pretty good dyes today to keep the silver from showing - Keith Hunt]
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city [slow to anger is a virtue compared to being better than a mighty warrior; quick tempered people get into all sorts of trouble, disfavor, and just simply not liked - Keith Hunt]
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord [the NT apostles gave lots to name who would take the place of Judas (who betrayed Jesus) …. they asked for God’s guidance; the lot fell upon Mathias (Acts 2). There maybe in our lap, things physically close to us that the church needs guidance upon; the Lord will guide the way when done in faith - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
16:31 If it is found: Old age alone does not bring glory.
16:32 he who rules his spirit: Self-discipline under God is the way to holy living. See 19:11 and note; see also 1 Cor. 24-27.
16:33 lot is cast: The means of seeking God's counsel (see vv 1, 9 and notes on 1 Sam. 10:17-27; 23:9-12).
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CHAPTER 17
Proverbs for Life and Conduct
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife [we have already been told this proverb, but being repeated means we have emphasis - it is so true; some families when getting together are so dysfunctional only strife and arguing and bickering fills the air - physical plenty with strife make the plenty seem worthless; having less of the physical plenty
but love, peace, content quietness, is much better - Keith Hunt]
2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, and will share an inheritance among the brothers [they have made movie pictures on this very proverb - it has indeed happened - Keith Hunt]
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts [physical things for physical things; for the purifying of the heart of man, it is God as we are made after His image - Keith Hunt]
4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue [as they say “like attracts like” - evil attracts evil - Keith Hunt]
5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished [many of the poor are so because of circumstances and situations beyond their control; God does not look lightly or favourably upon those who mock the poor, when they do not know the story behind their situation. And he who is happy at people’s calamity….. well it often happens…. they will have calamity fall on them; if they don’t in this life they will face their sin when they rise in the second resurrection - Keith Hunt]
6 Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father [all under the the banner of “Serving the Lord” - for otherwise the proverb is not relevant in its full intent - Keith Hunt]
7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince [ the two just do not mix; fools seldom have excellent speech on things that matter; and someone in authority, or looked up to as a role model, cannot have lying lips; it just makes people think “What else is not what it appears to be about them.” - Keith Hunt]
8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns, he prospers [A bribe is like a bright, precious stone that dazzles the eyes and affects the mind of him who gives it (as if by magic) he prospers, whichever way he turns - Amplified Bible. Some people in this life do prosper by bribes and whatever else they do that is not morally and ethically right. David in the Psalms saw that, but came to the realization that there is a day of reckoning coming, when all such people will have to face their sins and decide what they will do about it all. Or see below the note from the New JKV Study Bible - Keith Hunt]
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends [there are times in some circumstances, that some sins need to be covered by love in this life, and not repeated all over the place; there are times if this is done, when it should not be done, the result could separate good friends. Wisdom is needed in this matter as we walk long among human beings that do sin. This is a subject that needs wisdom and God’s word, inside and outside the Church of God - Keith Hunt]
10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool [wise people will take a rebuke or correction; they will be ready to admit they were wrong; they will be ready to learn and ever grow in grace and knowledge; but you can beat up a fool in a harsh manner and they will still remain fools, just will never learn and never admit they are fools - Keith Hunt]
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him [An evil man seeks only rebellion: therefore a stern and pitiless messenger shall be sent against him - Amplified Bible. Again if you are evil only wanting to do evil, you are on the wrong side of the tracks - evil attracts evil, and as often happens other evil people will be against you…..gang warfare it’s called. The chances are someone will send you a messenger that will deliver a cruel message…..even your death - Keith Hunt]
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly [wow….. now this is quite the proverb; you meditate on it! This is how God likens a fool in his folly. You meet a bear robbed of her cubs, and the chances are you die! It’s lights out for you, over and done. But you meet a fool in his folly, and that fool can live on and on, delivering blows to your head and body, messing up your life over and over, unless you run as fast as you can away from that fool - Keith Hunt]
13 Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house [a general statement for sure, generally you do evil for good, and it catches up to you eventually; evil attracts evil; it is again we reap what we sow - Keith Hunt]
14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts [think of a dam or a Dutch dyke…. a little water getting through…. it gets larger and larger
……until the whole dyke breaks and the tsunami of water is rushing along; the whole scene has multiplied a thousand fold. A little trickle of water through the dyke needs fixing immediately before it’s out of hand; so it is with a contention with someone; fix it before a molehill becomes a mountain - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
17:3 A holy, ethical God purifies a person's heart just as a fire purifies silver and gold (see Mai. 3:2, 3 and notes).
17:5 reproaches his Maker: See note on 14.31
17:8 A present: In the ancient Near East giving someone a gift to encourage them to do the right thing was commended.
17:9 covers: Forgives and forgets. Forgiveness is an act worthy of praise. It imitates God. See 10:12 and note.
17:11 The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the OT) -: interpreted the cruel messenger to be an angel of punishment and destruction from the Lord (see Ps. 35:5; 78:49). On the other hand, it could refer simply to an officer sent by the king with orders to stop the rebellion.
17:13 The wise do not return evil for good. The NT teaches us to go beyond this, even to return good for evil (Rom. 12:17,21).
17:14 Contention, once it is started, tends to run its course until finished.
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15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord [pretty straightforward - Keith Hunt]
16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, since he has no heart for it?
[well a fool thinks he can buy wisdom, kinda like going into a store and seeing wisdom in a box ready to buy; the fool really has no heart for wisdom, for wisdom ain’t for sale, there are ways you have to have your mind and heart to obtain wisdom…..as wisdom is an attribute of God, you have to obtain it from Him, and He sets down the rules you have to meet for Him to give it to you - Keith Hunt]
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity [a true friend is with you through thick and thin, ups and downs, joys and sorrow; often it is someone of the same blood that becomes your enemy and who works against you; you probably know a family where this is sadly so true - I’ve certainly seen it in my lifetime in the “Hunt clan” very near to me - Keith Hunt]
18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend [we have been given this before….. it is unwise and not recommended, to be a co-signer for some loan or business deal, not even for a “friend” - Keith Hunt]
19 He who loves transgression loves strife, and he who exalts his gate seeks destruction [he who loves strife and is quarrelsome loves transgression and involves himself with guilt; he who raises high his gateway and is boastful and arrogant invites destruction - Amplified Bible
20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, and he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil [it is again what we sow we reap - Keith Hunt]
21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy [you raise a scoffer you raise someone who will scoffer at you; indeed a father of fools will find they have no lasting joy - Keith Hunt]
22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones [they have discovered that emotions bring forth chemicals into the body; having basic good emotions, brings forth good chemicals; bad emotions brings forth bad chemicals….yes your emotional state will literally be good or bad for your health - Keith Hunt]
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back to pervert the ways of justice [taking a bribe under the table as we say today….. bribing usually is for no good reason - bribing has even got into the Olympic Games, so this or that person/s wins no matter who really deserved to win - Keith Hunt]
24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth [people who understand life will have wisdom; fools will look so far ahead, they trip over something near at hand, because they do not have the understand and wisdom to handle what is right in front of them - Keith Hunt]
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him [if foolishness stays in the heart and mind of a daughter or son, it will indeed be grief to a father, and bitterness to the mother; there is no joy in fools - Keith Hunt]
26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good, nor to strike princes for their uprightness [it is the folly of a nation to punish the righteous, and to bring down a leader when they are upright; again sow badly and you reap badly - Keith Hunt]
27 He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit [those with true knowledge and understanding, know when it’s right to speak; they do not waste words; and the’ll know the tone of voice to use - Keith Hunt]
28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive [yes, people will know who tends to be the fool; even they are thought wise and perceptive when they hold their talk and listen - Keith Hunt]
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From the New KJV Study Bible
17:15 See 24:24, 25 and note.
17:16 Wisdom cannot be bought; you must desire it for itself.
17:17 Our true friend and brother becomes known when trouble comes.
17:18 See note on 6:1-5.
17:19 exalts his gate: Makes his doorway larger; that is, he practices pride.
17:20 deceitful heart: The prophet Jeremiah warned that the human heart could be morally depraved (see Jer. 17:9). The fool rejects the Lord (14:2), his only cure for the
heart's corrupt condition.
17:22 See 15:15; 18:14 and notes.
17:24 Wisdom is literally "straight ahead" for the wise; she is his one pursuit. The fool tries everything else.
17:27, 28 a calm spirit: See 16:32 and note.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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