Vain Excuses
Proverbs 24:11-12
If you forbear to deliver them that are drawn to death, and those that are ready to be slain;…


It is the universal characteristic of fallen man that he endeavours to extenuate what may be wrong in his conduct, and invent excuses. Are the pleas by which you might think to justify yourselves in regard to your known duties such as would bear being submitted to God? Men will often admit an excuse without close examination; not so God. We may examine into an excuse, and nevertheless not detect its worthlessness; not so God. Men, even when satisfied that blame attaches to the individual who offers the excuse, are often forced to let him pass without punishment; not so God. Groundless excuses can be of no avail as made to God, because, in the first place, He is a being who considers everything. In the second place, He knows everything. And in the third, He rewards everything.

(H. Melvill, D.D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

WEB: Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!




To Magistrates
Top of Page
Top of Page