22, 23. Here follow ten precepts of two verses each. Though men fail to defend the poor, God will (Pr 17:5; Ps 12:5).

     24, 25. (Compare Pr 2:12-15; 4:14).

     25. a snare . . . soul—The unsuspecting are often misled by bad company.

     26, 27. (Compare Pr 6:1; 17:18).

     27. should he take, &c.—that is, the creditor.

     28. (Compare Pr 23:10). Do not entrench on others (De 19:14; 27:17).

     29. Success rewards diligence (Pr 10:4; 21:5).

     1. Avoid the dangers of gluttony.

     2. put a knife—an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite.

     3. are deceitful meat—though well tasted, injurious.

     4, 5. (Compare 1Ti 6:9, 10).

     5. Wilt . . . eyes—As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away.

     6-8. Beware of deceitful men, whose courtesies even you will repent of having accepted.

     8. The morsel . . . words—that is, disgusted with his true character, all pleasant intercourse will be destroyed.

     9. (Compare Pr 9:8). "Cast not your pearls before swine" (Mt 7:6).

     10, 11. (Compare Pr 22:22, 23).

     11. redeemer—or avenger (Le 25:25, 26; Nu 35:12), hence advocate (Job 19:25).

     12. Here begins another series of precepts.

     13, 14. While there is little danger that the use of the "divine ordinance of the rod" will produce bodily harm, there is great hope of spiritual good.

     15, 16. The pleasure afforded the teacher by the pupil's progress is a motive to diligence.

     16. my reins—(Compare Ps 7:9).

     17, 18. (Compare Margin). The prosperity of the wicked is short.

     18. an end—or, "hereafter," another time, when apparent inequalities shall be adjusted (compare Ps 37:28-38).

     19-21. guide . . . way—or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare Pr 4:4; 9:6).

     20. riotous . . . flesh—prodigal, or eating more than necessary. Instead of "their flesh" (compare Margin), better, "flesh to them," that is, used for pleasure.

     21. drowsiness—the dreamy sleep of the slothful.

     22. Hearken—that is, obey (Pr 1:8; Eph 6:1).

     23. Buy—literally, "get" (Pr 4:5).

     24, 25. (Compare Pr 10:1; 17:21, 25).

     26-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness (Ho 4:11).

     27, 28. deep ditch—a narrow pit, out of which it is hard to climb.

     28. increaseth . . . transgressors— (Pr 5:8-10). The vice alluded to is peculiarly hardening to the heart.

     29, 30. This picture is often sadly realized now.

     31. when . . . red—the color denoting greater strength (compare Ge 49:11; De 32:14).

     32. The acute miseries resulting from drunkenness contrasted with the temptations.

     33, 34. The moral effects: it inflames passion (Ge 19:31, 35), lays open the heart, produces insensibility to the greatest dangers, and debars from reformation, under the severest sufferings.

     35. awake—that is, from drunkenness (Ge 9:24). This is the language rather of acts than of the tongue.

     1, 2. (Compare Pr 23:3, 17; Ps 37:1).

     2. studieth—meditateth.

     3, 4. (Compare Pr 14:1; Isa 54:14).

     4. by knowledge . . . riches— (Pr 8:18; 21:20).

     5, 6. The general statement (Ec 9:16, 18) is specially illustrated (compare Pr 21:22; Ps 144:1).

     7. (Compare Pr 14:16).

     8. So called even if he fails to do evil.

     9. Same thought varied.

     10. Literally, "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or, small) is thy strength," which is then truly tested.

     11, 12. Neglect of known duty is sin (Jas 4:17).