Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight,

“To know . . . instruction--literally, "for knowing," that is, such is the design of these writings. wisdom--or the use of the best means for the best ends, is generally employed in this book for true piety. instruction--discipline, by which men are trained.”

My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them. If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause…

“A solemn warning against temptation. entice--literally, "open the way." consent . . . not--Sin is in consenting or yielding to temptation, not in being tempted.”

How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it! But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives.

“Men warned ought to escape danger as birds instinctively avoid visibly spread nets. But stupid sinners rush to their own ruin (Ps 9:16), and, greedy of gain, succeed in the very schemes which destroy them (1Ti 6:10), not only failing to catch others, but procuring…”

Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: “How long…

“Others think that wisdom, as the divine attribute specially employed in acts of counsel and admonition, is here personified, and represents God.”

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

“Now no prayers or most diligent seeking will avail (Pr 8:17). The sinner's infatuated rejection brings his ruin.”

Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity—every good path.

“Then--emphatic, in such a case. righteousness . . . path--all parts of duty to God and man. Idea of Pr 2:9, amplified; on terms, compare Pr 2:2 and Pr 2:4.”

She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

“Wisdom allegorized as a tree of life-- (Ge 2:9; 3:22) whose fruit preserves life, gives all that makes living a blessing.”

for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.

“The reason; such as are objects of God's favor. be thy confidence--literally, "in thy confidence," in the source of thy strength (compare Na 3:9, for the same construction, Hebrew). Promptly fulfil all obligations both of justice and charity (compare Jas 2:15, 16).”

Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.

“a froward mouth--that is, a mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from that used (Pr 2:15; 3:32). perverse--or, "quarreling." lips--or, "words."”

My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight,

“This connection of wisdom and understanding is frequent (Pr 2:2; 3:7); the first denotes the use of wise means for wise ends; the other, the exercise of a proper discrimination in their discovery.”

Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well. Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?

“By figures, in which well, cistern, and fountain [Pr 5:15, 18] represent the wife, and rivers of waters [Pr 5:16] the children, men are exhorted to constancy and satisfaction in lawful conjugal enjoyments.”

With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.

“Frowardness--as in Pr 2:14. deviseth--literally, "constructs, as an artisan." mischief--evil to others. discord--especially litigation. Cunning is the talent of the weak and lazy.”

For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.

“The supplied words give a better sense than the old version: "The price of a whore is a piece of bread." adulteress--(Compare Margin), which the parallel and context (Pr 6:29-35) sustain. Of similar results of this sin, compare Pr 5:9-12.”

For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice.

“For--or, "Since," introducing an example to illustrate the warning, which, whether a narrative or a parable, is equally pertinent. window--or, "opening" looked--literally, "watched earnestly" (Jud 5:28). casement--or, "lattice."”

She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him: “I have made my peace offerings; today I have paid my vows.

“The offerer retained part of the victim for a feast (Le 3:9, &c.). This feast she professes was prepared for him whom she boldly addresses as one sought specially to partake of it. 16, 17. my bed--or, "couch," adorned in the costliest manner.”

For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

“For . . . truth--literally, "My palate shall meditate," or (as Orientals did) "mutter," my thoughts expressed only to myself are truth. wickedness--specially falsehood, as opposed to truth.”

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

“The connection of "wisdom" and "prudence" is that of the dictates of sound wisdom and its application. find . . . inventions--or, "devices," "discreet ways" (Pr 1:4).”

Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.

“It also gives the elements of good character in counsel. sound wisdom-- (Pr 2:7). I . . . strength--or, "As for me, understanding is strength to me," the source of power (Ec 9:16); good judgment gives more efficiency to actions; 15, 16.”

The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.

“Strictly, God's attributes are part of Himself. Yet, to the poetical structure of the whole passage, this commendation of wisdom is entirely consonant. In order of time all His attributes are coincident and eternal as Himself.”

He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself.

“Wisdom not only supplies right but forbids wrong principles. 7, 8. shame--(Compare Pr 3:35). a blot--or, "stain on character." Both terms denote the evil done by others to one whose faithfulness secures a wise man's love.”

He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin.

“Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one (Pr 6:13; Ps 35:19), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.”

Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

“The combined power of the wicked cannot free them from just punishment, while the unaided children of the righteous find deliverance by reason of their pious relationship (Ps 37:25, 26).”

A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

“A virtuous woman--in the wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties (Pr 31:10). maketh ashamed--that is, by misconduct. rottenness--an incurable evil.”

A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession.

“(Compare Pr 12:24). took in hunting--or, "his venison." He does not improve his advantages. the substance . . . precious--or, "the wealth of a man of honor is being diligent," or "diligence." precious--literally, "honor" (Ec 10:1).”

A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.

“A wicked--or, "unfaithful" messenger falleth into mischief--or, "by mischief," or "evil," and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others.”