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things. 29. The LORD is far from the wicked but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart and a good report maketh the bones fat. 31. The ear that heareth () the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 32. He that refuseth instruction despiseth (m) his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. 33. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom (n); and before (n) honour is humility.

CHAP. XVI.

THE preparations of the heart in man,

and the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 2. All (0) the ways of man are clean in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts (p) shall be established. 4. The LORD hath made (q) all things for (q) himself: yea, even the wicked (r) for the day of evil. 5. Every one that is proud in heart, is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the LORD, men depart from evil. 7. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8. Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.

9.

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth (s) his steps. 10. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgement. 11. A just weight and balance are the

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LORD's all the weights of the bag are his work. 12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne 15 established by righteousness. 13. Righte ous lips are the delight of kings: and they love him that speaketh right. 14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death (t), but a wise man will pacify (u) it. 15. In the light of the king's countenanceir life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. 16. How much better is it to g wisdom, than gold? and to get uns standing, rather to be chosen than silve 17. The high-way of the upright is depart from evil: he that keepeth his way, preserveth his soul. 18. Pride goth be fore (x) destruction: and a haughty spiri before a fall. 19. Better it is to be of humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20. He that handleth a matter wisely, shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD happy: he. 21. The wise in heart shall be calle prudent, and the sweetness of the p increaseth (z) learning. 22. Understand ing is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it but the instruction of fools is fel. 23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24. Pleasant words are as an honey-comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man: but the end thereof are the ways of death. 26. He that laboureth, laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. 27. An ungodly man diggeth evil and in his lips there is as a burning

(s) v. 9. "Directeth," or "controllet He cannot go beyond what God allows.

(t) v. 14. "As messengers of de Likely to be followed by the destruction of those who are its objects. So Prov. XX. 1. "The wrath of a king is as the roaring of "lion: whoso provoketh him to sinneth anger, "against his own soul," i. e. "hazardeth "life."

(u) v. 14. "Pacify," i. e. "do what he car "to pacify, for there is no resisting it." (*) v. 18. “Goeth before," i. e. "leadeth "unto."

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(y) v. 21. "Sweetness of the lips," it eloquence," or "a kind manner of speaking (*) v. 21. "Increaseth," i. e. "sets off "makes more valuable."

c. 28. A froward man soweth strife, d a whisperer separateth chief friends. . A violent man enticeth his neighbour, d leadeth him into the way that is not od. 30. He shutteth his eyes to devise ward things: moving his lips he bringeth il to pass. 31. The hoary head is a own of glory, if it be found in the way righteousness. 32. He that is slow to ger, is better than the mighty: and he it ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh city. 33. The lot is cast into the lap: t the whole disposing thereof (a) is of › LORD.

CHAP. XVII.

ETTER is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacries (b) with strife. 2. A wise servant all have rule over a son that causeth ame: and shall have part of the inheriice among the brethren. 3. The finingt is for (c) silver, and the furnace for ld, but the LORD trieth the hearts. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: da liar giveth ear to à naughty tongue. Whoso mocketh the poor, reproacheth 3 maker and he that is glad at calamities, Fall not be unpunished. 6. Childrens ildren are the crown of old men; and e glory of children are their fathers. Excellent speech becometh not a fool: ich less do lying lips a prince. 8. A t is as a precious stone in the eyes of In that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, prospereth. 9. He that covereth a nsgression (d), seeketh love; but he that

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(a) v. 33. "Disposing thereof." There is thing which God's hand cannot regulate: en in the casting of lots he can fix the event. strong intimation of the extent of his power. (b) v. 1. "Sacrifices," or "abundance." (c) v.3. "Is for, &c." i. e. " as the fining pot and the furnace try the precious metals, so the Lord trieth the hearts."

(d) v.9." Covereth a transgression," or overlooks or conceals an indignity." See te, note on Prov. xii. 16.

(e) v. 11. "A cruel messenger, &c." i. e. he shall be severely punished."

(f) v. 14.

"As when one letteth out water," which cannot be brought back or ontrolled. The meaning probably is, the Fects of strife cannot be foreseen or checked.

repeateth a matter, separaieth very friends. 10. A reproof entereth more into a wise man, than an hundred stripes into a fool. 11. An evil man seeketh only rebellion therefore a cruel messenger (e) shall be sent against him. 12. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 13. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water (f): therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. 15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. 16. Wherefore (g) is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? 17. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born (b) for adversity. 18. A man void of understanding striketh hands (i), and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. 19. He loveth transgression that loveth strife and he that exalteth his gate (k) seeketh destruction. 20. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. 21. He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. 22. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. 23. A wicked men taketh a gift (1) out of the bosom (7) to pervert the ways of judgment. 24. Wisdom is before (m) him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth (n). 25. A foolish

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(k) v. 19. "Exalteth his gate," i. e.." is "proud, or insolent."

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(1) v.23. "A gift," i. e. "a bribe,” "of the bosom," i. e. " brought secretly and "clandestinely."

(m) v. 24. " Before," i. e. " always in the e." "view of," "never lost sight of," "his guide." (n) v.24. "In the ends of the earth," i. e. (perhaps) "gazing upon what he cannot dis"tinctly see:" so that whether it will guide

son is a grief to his father, and bitterness. to her that bare him. 26. Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. 27. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

CHAP. XIX.

BETTER is the poor that walketh in his

integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips (0), and is a fool. 2. Also, that the soul (p) be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet (q), sinneth. 3. The foolishness of man perverteth his way (r): and his heart fretteth against the LORD. 4. Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour (s). 5. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. 6. Many will intreat the favour of the prince (t); and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts, 7. All the brethren (u) 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. 8. He that

getteth wisdom, loveth (x) his own si he that keepeth understanding, shall good. 9. A false witness shall not be punished, and he that speaketh lies perish. 10. Delight (y) is not seemly fr fool: much less for a servant to have re over princes. 11. The discretion of a m deferreth his anger, and it is his glor pass over a transgression. 12. They wrath is as the roaring of a lion ( his favour is as dew upon the grass. foolish son is the calamity of his and the contentions of a wife ares tinual dropping (a). 14. House and are the inheritance of (b) fathers; 2 prudent wife is from the LORD. 15.5 fulness casteth into a deep sleep ( an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16: that keepeth the commandment, keep his own soul (d); but he that despised way shall die. 17. He that hath pit the poor, lendeth unto the LORD; that which he hath given, will he pay again, 18. Chasten thy son while the hope, and let not thy soul spare fr crying. 19. A man of great wrath suffer punishment: for if thou deliv him, yet thou must do it again, 20. counsel and receive instruction, that

him well or not, and whether it is worth pursuing or not he cannot know. (0) v. I. 66 Lips, and is a fool," or "ways, " and is rich." 1 Kenn. 509. Parkh. Heb. Dic. 329. "Than the rich, who is perverse in his lips." Grot. "Than the rich who "is perverse in his ways, and a fool." Pole,

(p) v. 2. "That the soul, &c." or more literally," a soul (or being) without know"ledge is not good, or, has nothing good."

(q) v. 2. "Hasteth with his feet," i. e. "hurries on without thought;" acts without consideration : : a rash man.

(r) v. 3. Perverteth his way, &c." i. e. "either leads him into wrong courses," or "frustrates his attempts;" and then he murmurs against providence for the distresses to which his own folly brings him.

(s) v.4." From his neighbour." They who are nearest to him disregard him. (t) v. 6. "The prince."

many followers.

The great have

(u) v. 7." The brethren," even they who are nearest to him in blood desert him: much more they who had no tie but friendship.

(x) v.8. "Loveth," i. e. "g, d "good to," goes the way to pra; if he loved.

(v) v. 10. "Delight," ie Joy is as much misplaced when c him, as the rule over princes is when conferred upon a servant.

(z) v. 12. "As the roaring of a li "much to be dreaded;" as likely to destruction, In Prov. xvi. 14. "The "of a king is said to be as mu "death."

(a) v. 13. "A continual dropping,' "must at last wear a man out."

(b) v 14. "Are the inheritance of,"

"descend from." A man's ancestor give him wealth: a prudent wife is a gut

but God can bestow.

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(c) v. 15: Sleep," so as to wast: hours in which subsistence ought to be

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ayest be wise in thy latter end. 21. There

many devices in a man's heart (f); -vertheless the counsel of the LORD, that all stand. 22. The desire (g) of a man is s kindness: and a poor man is better than liar. 23. The fear of the LORD tendeth to e, and he that hath it shall abide satisfied: - shall not be visited with evil. 24. A othful man hideth his hand in his bosom, d will not so much as bring it to his outh again. 25. Smite a scorner (1⁄2), and e simple will beware; and reprove one

that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. 26. He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 27. Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that caufeth to err from the words of knowledge. 28. An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth (i) iniquity. 29. Judgements are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

CHAP. I.

ISAIAH.

THE vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and

(ƒ) v. 21. "A man's heart." The conast is between man's devices, and God's unsel: whatever man may purpose, it is od's counsel only that shall stand. So 3. xxxiii. 10. 11. And see post, Is. xliv.

i. 26.

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(g) v. 22. "The desire, &c." i. e. (perhaps) "kindness makes a man desirable and sought after but even a poor man, one who has no power to confer benefits, is better than a liar; one who professes what he will not perform, or one who pretends he cannot give aid, when it is fully in his power." (h) v. 25. “A scorner." Who must be itten, because reproof, words alone, will have

Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham (k), Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of

no effect upon him; and the example, in smit ing him, will do good.

(i) v. 28. "Devoureth," i. e. feeds greedily upon; makes it his food; swallows it with as much eagerness as gluttons do dainties.

(k) v. 1. “Uzziah, Jotham, &c." Isaiah is supposed to have begun to prophesy in the last year of Uzziah's reign, and to have prophesied at intervals till the 15th or 16th year of Hezekiah, or even to the first year of Manasseh, about 72 years before Jeremiah began. He lived in the same times with Hosea, Amos, Micah, and Nahum, and perhaps Joel; and he began to prophesy before Micah and Nahum, but after Hosea, Joel, and Amos.

he following Table, shewing the duration of each reign from the commencement of Uzziah's till the Babylonish captivity, and the character of the respective kings, will be of use in reading Isaiah and the subsequent Prophets :

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(1) v. 2. "Hear, &c." The prophecy in this chapter was probably delivered in the time of Ahaz. The state of the nation, as described, verse 2 to 8. corresponds with his times, but not with those of Uzziah, Jotham, or Hezekiah. Uzziah and Jotham were successful against the neighbouring nations, and had God's help. 2 Chron. xxvi. 6 to 8. and 2 Chron. xxvii. 5. 6. And though in Hezekiah's time Sennacherib took the fenced cities of Judah, and forced Hezekiah for a time to pay him tribute, yet was Hezekiah soon miraculously delivered from his power; and the people in Hezekiah's time shewed great zeal in abolishing idolatry, and returning to the true worship of God. See 2 Kings xviii. 3. 13. 14. -2 Kings xix.-and 2 Chron. xxix. to xxxii. But in Ahaz's time the nation was brought very low, because of Ahaz; and their sins were very high. The king of Syria carried away a great multitude of the Jews captive to Damascus. Pekah, king of Israel, slew of them in one day 120,000, all valiant men. The Edomites also smote Judah, and carried away captives; and the Philistines invaded and took many of their cities and villages, and dwelt there. See 2 Chron. xxviii. 5. 6. 17 to 20. The sins of Ahaz were enormous; and God's judgments upon the nation had no effect towards reclaiming him. He made molten images for Baalim, burned his children in the fire after the abomination of the heathen, and sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. In his distress, too, after being smitten by the Syrians, he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, and said, "Because the gods of the kings of "Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to "them, that they may help me." And he cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem; and in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods. 2 Chron. xxviii. 2 to 4. and 22 to 25. The concurrence of the people in these abominations may be collected from Hezekiah's statement to the Levites, in the first year of his reign: "Our fathers have trespassed, and done "that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord ❝ our God, and have forsaken him, and have

"my people doth not consider." "sinful nation, a people laden with "quity, a seed of evil-doers, chile "that are corrupters (q), they have in "saken the LORD, they have provoked

holy One of Israel unto anger, they a "gone away backward. 5. Why (r) sho

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"turned away their faces from the habit "of the Lord, and turned their backs. "they have shut up the doors of the p "and put out the lamps, and have not m "incense, nor offered burnt-offerings:2 "holy place, unto the God of Israel; "fore the wrath of the Lord was upon "and Jerusalem; and he hath delivered "to trouble, to astonishment, and to h as ye see with your eyes. 2 Chron. I " to 8." It is to the time of Ahaz, the ! fore, that this prophecy should (appare be ascribed. It is an entire piece of unconnected with the following chapters; taining a severe remonstrance against the p vailing corruptions, and strong exhortat repentance; threatening the impenitert, = promising better things when the nation s be reformed: the expressions clear, the nection easy as to the images, sentiment i stile, a beautiful example of Isaiah's cas manner, though not equal to many of his prophecies. See 2 Lowth. 4.

(m) v. 2. "Hear, () heavens, &c." Tre beginning as the song of Moses, Dest. perhaps to call the attention to that to intimate, that the state and times t part of that chapter looked forward win aw arrived.

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(n) v. 2. For, &c." rather, " "that speaketh."

(o) v. 2. "Nourished and brough that I had every reason to expect a gi

return.

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(p) v. 3. "The ox," and "the dullest and most stupid of all animals. Lora! And yet have they more sense and gratitade God's people. So Jer. viii. 7. "The "the heaven knoweth her appointed "and the turtle and the crane and the "observe the time of their coming: be "people know not the judgment "Lord."

(q) v. 4." Corrupters." Not content being wicked themselves, but corrupting othe causing them to fall. An aggravated degre guilt!

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(r) v. 5. "Why, &c." you to further warnings,

"What claim t

or what end

"they answer?" As Gen. vi. 3. ante: «

"Spirit shall not always strive with man.

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