18 The wicked man toileth for fallacious earnings; But he, who soweth righteousness, will have a sure reward. 19 As he, who pursueth righteousness, pursueth it unto life, So he, who pursueth evil, pursueth it unto his death. 20 The froward in heart are the abomination of JEHOVAH; But the upright in their way are acceptable to Him, 21 Though hand be joined to hand, The wicked shall not be held guiltless; But the posterity of the righteous shall be delivered, 22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, So is a beautiful woman, who is without discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous is only good; There is, who withholdeth more than is right, 25 The bountiful man shall be enriched, Yea, he, who watereth, shall himself also be watered. 26 The people curse him, who keepeth back bread-corn; But blessings shall be on the head of him, who selleth it 27 He, who earnestly seeketh good, seeketh what is acceptable; But upon him, who seeketh evil, it shall come! 28 He, who trusteth in his riches, shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish, as a leaf. 29 He, who harasseth his household, shall inherit the wind; And the fool shall be the servant of the wise in heart 30 The fruit of the righteous man is a tree of life, And the wise man gaineth souls. 27 good-i. c. the good of others. what is acceptable—to God. seeketh evili. e. strives to involve other persons in calamity. 23 shall full-prematurely, as a withered leaf. as a leaf-i.e. as a verdant leaf, which receives its natural support from the tree. Compare Ps. i. 3. 29 harasseth his household-i. e. exacts of them oppressive tasks, and creates amongst them dissentions and animosity; thus entirely alienating their affections from himself, and rendering them altogether negligent of their duties. 30 The fruit &c.-i. e. The good effect of his example and conversation. tree of life-See iii. 18. Note. guineth souls-i. e. wins men over to virtue and goodness. 31 Behold, the righteous man is requited upon earth, Much more, the wicked man and the sinner! 1 He, who loveth correction, loveth knowledge; But he, who hateth rebuke, remaineth ignorant. 2 The good man receiveth favour from JEHOVAH; But the man of wicked devices, He condemneth. 3 A man shall not be firmly established by wickedness; But the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 4 A virtuous wife is the crown of her husband; But she, who causeth shame, is as rottenness in his bones. The devices of the righteous are just; The counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for the blood of men; But the mouth of the upright delivereth them. 7 The house of the wicked is overthrown, and is no more! But the house of the righteous abideth. 8 A man shall be praised according to his understanding; But the perverse of heart shall be contemned. 9 He, who demeaneth himself, and becometh his own servant, Is better than he, who affecteth grandeur, yet lacketh food. 10 The righteous man careth for the life of his beast; But the mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11 He, who tilleth his own land, Shall be satisfied with bread; But he, who joineth with lawless men, Is void of understanding. 12 The wicked man longeth after the net of evil doers; But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 13 In the transgression of his lips, There is a snare for the wicked man; 7 The house of the wicked-Heb. The wicked. - The house of the wicked &c.-i.e. they and their posterity shall be destroyed. 8 understanding-Compare Ps. cxi. 10. 9 demeaneth himself-i. e. foregoes all outward display of greatness. 10 careth for &c.-i.e. treats with tender + care. mercies-i. e. Even the compassion which he pretends to feel for others, does not really deserve the name; because it has its origin in some wicked design, meditated against them. 11 be satisfied-i. e. be abundantly supplied. See xxviii. 19. joineth with Heb. followeth. i.e. as an associate in their criminal enterprises. 11 lawless meni. e. such as will not have recourse to honest means for obtaining a livelihood, but embark willingly in any scheme of violence. 12 longeth &c.-i. e. is anxious to engage in any scheme of plunder and rapine. Compare Ps. x. 8-10. yieldeth fruit-Heb. giveth- i. e. The industry of the righteous man will certainly furnish him with the means of living quietly and peaceably, "under his own vine and under his own fig-tree." 14 By the fruit of a man's mouth, And the recompence of a man's hands. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But a wise man hearkeneth unto counsel. 16 A fool's anger is instantly made known; But he, who stifleth insults, is prudent. 17 As he, who uttereth faithfulness, setteth forth truth, So a false witness setteth forth deceit. 18 There is, who speaketh rashly, like the piercing of a sword; But the tongue of the wise healeth. 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But the tongue of falsehood, only for a moment. 20 There is guile in the heart of those, who contrive evil; But to those, who counsel peace, there shall be joy. 21 There shall no calamity happen to the righteous man; But the wicked shall be filled with evil. 22 False lips are the abomination of JEHOVAH; But they, who act faithfully, are acceptable unto Him. 14 fruit-See xi. 30. Note 1. 16 instantly-Heb. upon the day. stifleth Compare x. 12. and Note. 17 he who uttereth faithfulness-i. e. a man of veracity. 18 like the piercing &c.—i. e. wounding by secret calumnies. 19 The lip-See x. 31. Note 2. only for a moment-i. e. Falsehood may succeed for an instant, but speedy detection will follow. 20 guile deceit, which will end in disappointment and sorrow. who counsel peace-i. e. who aim, by their counsels, at the promotion of concord and happiness. 21 filled with evil-i. e. shall suffer very greatly for their wickedness. |