1 Lemuel’s lesson of chastity and temperance. 6 The afflicted are to be comforted and defended. 10 The praise and properties of a good wife.  The Words of King Lemuel Pro 31:1  The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him. Lemuel. The verse reads literally, “The words of…

1 Agur’s confession of his faith. 7 The two points of his prayer. 10 The meanest are not to be wronged. 11 Four wicked generations. 15 Four things insatiable. 17 Parents are not to be despised. 18 Four things hard to be known. 21 Four things intolerable. 24 Four things…

1 Observations of public government, 15 and of private. 22 Of anger, pride, thievery, cowardice, and corruption. Pro 29:1  Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.  The long-suffering of God gives sinners a probation in which to repent of their evil deeds. If they continue to…

General observations of impiety and religious integrity. Pro 28:1  The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.  The wicked man is condemned by his troubled conscience even before he is accused by men. When death draws near, the difference between the courage…

1 Observations of selflove, 5 of true love, 11 of care to avoid offences, 23 and of the household care. Pro 27:1  Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.  Neither this verse nor the teaching of our Saviour against anxious thought (Matt….

1 Observations about fools, 13 about sluggards, 17 and about contentious busybodies. Pro 26:1  Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool. This verse begins a series of proverbs concerning the fool. In Palestine, snow in summer would be most unnatural. Rain in…

1 Observations about kings, 8 and about avoiding causes of quarrels, and sundry causes thereof. Pro 25:1  These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:  These proverbs were evidently copied either from other writings or from collections or some, perhaps, from oral sources—people…

Pro 24:1  Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; There is an excitement about the activities of those without scruples that has a strong attraction for young people who mistakenly think that goodness is dull (see Ps. 1:1; Prov. 4:14–19). Pro 24:2  for their hearts plot violence,…

Pro 23:1  When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,  This is good advice to one unaccustomed to the rich supplies of a ruler’s table. Tempted to indulge his appetite, or thirst, a man might display gluttony or lose control of his tongue and…

1. Loving favour. Literally, “good favor [or grace].” A worthy name and good favor, both won by an upright life, are true riches (see Eccl. 7:1). Both may be lost by associating with those who lack a good name, even though we do not actually join them in their questionable…