NOTES for Pro 17:1-28
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. |
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. |
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. |
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. |
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. |
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. |
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. |
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. |
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. |
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. |
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. |
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. |
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. |
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. |
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. |
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? |
17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. |
18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. |
19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. |
20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. |
21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. |
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. |
23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. |
24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. |
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. |
26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. |
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. |
28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. |
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Better a dry crust with peace, a little with a clear conscience, than luxury acquired through wickedness. Sooner or later such wealth will collapse; but even if ruin is still far away, it is impossible to enjoy the fruits of such prosperity fully while constantly feeling anxious and surrounded by enemies and envious people.
Mocking a poor person is once again equated with blasphemy. The spiritual sphere cannot be separated from the social one, nor can social problems be treated as earthly and base. Some “pious” people consider works of mercy and charity unimportant in comparison with deep prayer. But will a prayer that shuns deeds be heard?
The words saying that whoever conceals an offense seeks love could, if one wished, be interpreted as advice to indulge evil; but here too what is said must be considered alongside other words of Scripture. The apostle would say the same when he noted that love “bears all things” (1 Cor 13:7). This is not about concealing evil, but about forgiveness: about not allowing the memory of past sins and offenses to turn our heart to stone or make us like Lot's wife, who looked back and therefore became a pillar of salt.
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