Wesley's Notes on the Bible Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. 19:2 Hasteth - That rashly and headily rushes into actions.
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. 19:3 Perverteth - Blasts his designs and enterprises. Fretteth - He ascribes his unhappiness not to his own sin, but to God and his providence.
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 19:6 A friend - in profession.
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. 19:7 Brethren - His nearest relations. Hate - Despise and shun him. Pursueth - Earnestly imploring their pity.
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. 19:10 Delight - To live in pleasure and outward glory, doth not become him, nor suit with him; because prosperity corrupts even wise men, and makes fools mad; and because it gives him more opportunity to discover his folly, and to do mischief both to himself and others.
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 19:13 Dropping - Are like rain continually dropping upon an house.
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 19:15 Casteth - Makes a man careless, and like one asleep in his business.
He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 19:16 His ways - The commands of God.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. 19:18 While - Before custom in sin, and thy indulgence have made him incorrigible. Let not - Forbear not to give him due and necessary correction.
A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. 19:19 Great wrath - Of strong passions. Deliver - If thou forbear to punish him. Do it - Thou must deliver him again and again.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. 19:22 The desire - The hearty desire of being kind is accepted by God, and should be owned by men as a real kindness. A poor man - Who is not able to give what he desires to do. A liar - Than a rich man who feeds the poor with fair promises, but doth not perform what he pretends.
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. 19:23 Satisfied - Shall be fully contented with God's favour and blessing.
A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 19:24 Bring it - To feed himself; he expects that the meat should drop into his mouth.
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. 19:25 Scorner - An obstinate and impudent transgressor. Simple - Who sin thro' ignorance, being possibly drawn to it by the scorner's evil counsel or example. Reprove - A verbal reproof will be more effectual for his reformation, than the severest punishments will be to a scorner.
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 19:26 Wasteth - His father's estate. Chaseth - Causes her to avoid his presence, and to go from the house where he is.
Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. 19:28 Scorneth - Hath no reverence to the place of justice, nor to the presence of God there. Devoureth - Utters it with greediness and delight.
Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. 19:29 Prepared - Although they be deferred for a time, yet they are treasured up for them. Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65] Bible Hub |
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