9 At twilight, in the evening, At midnight, yea in the darkness. 10 And behold, a woman met him, In the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart 11 One noisy and refractory, Whose feet abide not in her house 12 Who is now in the streets, now in the broad places, And lurketh near every corner. 13 She caught hold of him and kissed him; With a face of assurance, she said unto him: 14"Peace-offerings had I bound myself to pay, "This day I have performed my vows. 15 "Therefore came I forth to meet thee— "Earnestly to seek thy face; and I have found thee! 9 The sacred writer represents this young man as wandering about from the first shades of evening until the night is far advanced, in the hope that the darkness would screen him from observation. "A man that breaketh wedlock, saying thus in his heart, Who seeth me? I am compassed about with darkness, the walls cover me, and nobody seeth me: what need I to fear? the most High will not remember my sins: such a man only feareth the eyes of men, and knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, beholding all the ways of men, and considering the most secret parts." Ecclus. xxiii. 18, 19. At midnight-Heb. In the pupil (of the eye) of night. 10 subtle-Heb. guarded. i.e. artfully prepared to make such false representations to the young man, as might induce him to attend to her solicitations, and also conceal her guilt from the husband whom she wronged. 11 One noisy-Heb. Noisy (is) she.. 11 refractory-in her general conduct. 14 Peace offerings-These were sacrifices of oxen or sheep, &c. offered in conformity with a previous vow (see Levit. xxvii. 2), and in grateful acknowledgment of some blessing received. Considerable portions of the several victims were returned by the priests to the persons who offered them, and were afterwards eaten by these persons and their assembled friends. Hospitality upon such occasions was enjoined by the Mosaic law. It is scarcely necessary to observe, that the representation thus made by this woman, was merely a pretence by which she hoped to gain her end. had I bound myself to pay-Heb. (were) upon me. Compare Ps. lvi. 12. and Note. 15 came I forth-She here further pre tends that, in compliment to her guest, she came forth herself especially to invite him. 16 “I have spread my bed with coverings— "With embroidered fine linen of Egypt; 17"I have perfumed my bed “With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning, "Let us indulge in caresses. 19 "For my husband is not at home, "He is gone a distant journey; 20"He hath taken a purse of money with him, "He will return at the stated day.” 21 By her many enticing words, she beguileth him; By the smooth allurements of her lips, she seduceth him. 22 He followeth her straightway, As an ox goeth unto the slaughter; Or as a hart boundeth into the toils, 23 Until an arrow pierceth its liver As a bird hasteneth into the snare, And perceiveth not that it is laid for its life. 24 Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me, And attend to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not thy heart swerve into her ways, Go not astray into her paths. 26 For she hath caused many to fall, mortally wounded; 15 Earnestly-Comp. Ps. lxiii. 1. Note 1. 19 my husband &c.-Heb. the man is not in his house. 20 at the stated day-i.e. by the day 26 number-Heb. the whole. has reference to the form of the Wisdom represented as calling upon the simple to receive her lessons- The clear and admirable instructions of wisdom- Their inestimable value-The inseparable union of wisdom with all which conduces to the well ordering of life. The true followers of wisdom must renounce evil-From her are derived honour and wealth—Wisdom present with the Almighty at the creation of the world-Exhortation to attend to her precepts. 1 DOTн not wisdom call aloud? And doth not understanding utter her voice? 2 Upon the top of the high places By the way-side In the broad paths, She taketh her station. 3 By the side of the gates— In the avenues of the city In the approaches to its entrances, 4" Unto you, O men, do I call aloud, 5 "Yea, with my voice do I call aloud to the sons of men. "O ye simple ones, discern prudence, "And, O fools, be ye of a discerning heart. 6 "Hearken, for I speak excellent things, "Yea, with the opening of my lips I speak rectitude. 7 "For my mouth uttereth truth, "And my lips abominate wickedness; 8"All the words of my mouth are righteous; 9 "None of them are intricate and crooked. 66 They all are plain, to the man of understanding, "And direct, to those who attain unto knowledge. 10 "Receive ye mine instruction rather than silver, “And knowledge, rather than choice gold. 11" For wisdom is better than pearls, "And no objects of delight are to be compared with her! 12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, "And I attain unto knowledge and discretion. 13 "The reverence of JEHOVAH is to abhor evil! 14 "Counsel and sound wisdom are mine; "I am understanding, "To me belongeth might! 15"By me kings reign, "And rulers decree righteousness. 16" By me princes govern, 17 "And nobles, even all the judges of the earth "I love those, who love me; "And they, who seek me early, shall find me. 10 rather than silver. Heb. and not silver. 11 no objects-i.e. no other objects. 12 Wisdom here asserts that between herself and prudence the connexion is inseparable, and that those, who attain her, will certainly acquire sound discretion in the conduct of life. Compare i. 4. 13 Those who would attain to true wisdom must first learn to abhor evil. "Cease to do evil, learn to do well." Isaiah i. 16, 17. Compare also Ps. xcvii. 10. 14 I am &c.-i.e. I fully comprehend what course should be followed under circumstances of the greatest diffi. culty. 15 By me &c.-i. e. The thrones of kings can be permanently established only upon the principles of true wisdom. 17"He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof, and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom." Ecclus. xxi. 11. seek me- Agreeably to the assurance which Solomon, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has here given, respecting the attainment of heavenly wisdom, our blessed Saviour asks, "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot 18 19 20 "Riches and honour are with me, "Yea, enduring substance and the means of bounty. My fruit is better than gold, even than fine gold, "And my produce, than choice silver. "I walk in the path of righteousness"In the broad paths of equity. 21 "I make those, who love me, to possess substance, "Yea, I fill all their treasuries. 22 "JEHOVAH possessed me in the beginning of His way"Before His works which were of old. 23I have been anointed from everlasting 24 25 "From the first, even before the earth was made. “When as yet there were no deeps, I was brought forth; "When there were no springs abounding with water. "Before the mountains were settled, "Yea, before the hills, I was brought forth. 26"Ere yet He had made the earth and the fields, "Yea, the first atom of the dust of the world 27 "When He framed the heavens, I was there! "When He drew a circle upon the face of the deep hear my word." Joh. viii. 43. And also explicitly declares, that "if any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God." Joh. vii. 17. 18 the means of bounty-Heb. liberality. Compare Ps. xxxvii. 21. and Ps. cxii. 3. 22 possessed &c." He hath establishedthe world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by His understanding." Jer. Li. 15. Compare Ps. civ. 24. and Prov. iii. 19, 20. in the beginning &c.-i. e. When He commenced the work of creation. |