Geneva Study Bible The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. The {a} preparations of the heart belong to man, and the answer of the tongue, are from the LORD.
(a) He derides the presumption of man, who dares to attribute anything to himself, as to prepare his heart or such like, seeing that he is not able to speak a word unless God gives it to him. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. All the ways of a man are {b} clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
(b) He shows by it that man flatters himself in his doings, calling that virtue, which God terms vice. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of {c} evil.
(c) So that the justice of God will appear to his glory, even in the destruction of the wicked. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. By {d} mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
(d) Their upright and repenting life will be a token that their sins are forgiven. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. A {e} man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
(e) He shows the folly of man who thinks that his ways are in his own hand, and yet is not able to move one foot unless God gives force. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his {f} work.
(f) If they are true and just, they are God's work, and he delights in it, but otherwise if they are false, they are the work of the devil, and to their condemnation that use them. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established {g} by righteousness.
(g) They are appointed by God to rule according to equity and justice. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. The wrath of a king is as {h} messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
(h) That is, he finds many ways to execute his wrath. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. In the light of a king's countenance is life; and his favour is {i} as a cloud of the latter rain.
(i) Which is most comfortable to the dry ground. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the {k} sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
(k) The sweet words of consolation which come from a godly heart. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that hath it: but the {l} instruction of fools is folly.
(l) Either that which the wicked teach others, or else it is folly to teach them who are malicious. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a {m} burning fire.
(m) For he consumes himself and others. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. {n} He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
(n) With his whole endeavour he labours to bring his wickedness to pass. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of {o} righteousness.
(o) That is, when it is joined with virtue, or else the older that the wicked are, the more they are to be abhorred. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. The lot is cast into the lap; but its whole disposing is {p} from the LORD. (p) So that there is nothing that ought to be attributed to fortune: for all things are determined in the counsel of God which will come to pass. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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